1. Drafting the Constitution
5.2

2. Objectives:
Understand the reasons leaders called for the Constitutional Convention.
Summarize the rival plans of government proposed at the convention.
Describe the compromises made in order to reach agreement on the Constitution.

3. Key Parts The Constitutional Convention Rival Plans of Government
Settling Differences Through Compromise

4. Introduction
Read 5.2
In a concept web write details about each plan or compromise that led to the creation of the United States Constitution.

5. The Constitutional Convention
By 1787 most Americans Agreed that the Articles of Confederation needed at least two major changes.
1- Almost everyone wanted Congress to have the power to regulate interstate and international commerce.
2- Most Americans also supported granting Congress the power to tax the people.

6. The Convention Begins
The Federal Convention opened in what is now known as Independence Hall on May 25, 1787.
These proceedings were very secretive so that the delegates could speak freely. They even closed the windows of the Independence Hall to prevent people from the outside listening in. (this was during one of the hottest summers)

7. Cont.
The convention’s leading thinkers were Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
Their goal was to try and create a very strong National Government that used democratic and republic ideals.
They wanted this government to be large so that there was a variance opinions and culture.

8. Rival Plans of Government
The Virginia Plan- Three branches of government- legislative, executive, and judicial. Also a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate. The states with larger population would have more members. This plan also included a strong President. Seven year term with no re-election.

9. Cont.
The New Jersey Plan- gave Congress the powers to regulate commerce and to tax. Still had a unicameral legislature, states having equal representation no matter the size and they had executive committee.

10. Settling Differences Through Compromise
The Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise was a mix of the Virginia and New Jersey Plan.
The Compromised based the government off the constitution. Then, the executive branch with a strong president. Nest the legislative branch with a house of representatives and a Senate of equal representation from each state. Finally, the Judiciary branch held federal courts.

11. 3/5 Compromise
Could not block the import of slaves into the United States for 20 years.
The south had to be represented in the House based on total population.
Fugitives slaves that went to free states were not considered free and had to be returned to their masters.