1. The Constitutional Convention

2. Understand the basics of the Compromises…
Be Able to Answer:
Why did the early US Gov’t meet in Philadelphia and draft a Constitution?
Understand the basics of the Compromises…

3. General Knowledge How many amendments?
What does the word Amendment mean?
What is the Bill of Rights?
Why did we have so many compromises?
How many branches?
Who is the head of each branch?

4. The Constitutional Convention begins
Philadelphia
Delegates from all the states invited to a convention to improve the Articles of Confederation, which were not working
Only RI didn’t attend
55 Delegates attended

5. Leaders of the Convention
George Washington was asked to preside over the convention.
James Madison kept notes of the discussions and is often called “The Father of the Constitution.”

6. The Founding Fathers

7. Who was missing? John Adams – England Thomas Jefferson – France
Patrick Henry – distrusted a strong government

8. What influenced the Founders?
Ancient Greeks and Romans – Democracy and Republican style of government
Magna Carta – Limit power of the King
John Locke – “Life, Liberty, and Property”
Baron de Montesquieu – Separation of Powers

9. Issues that divided the Nation’s leaders
The power of the federal government.
Representation in Congress.
Slavery.

10. # of Congressmen determined by state population
Virginia Plan
Proposed by big states / Edmund Randolph
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral (2 Houses)
Based on Population
Elected by the 1st house
Elected by the people
# of Congressmen determined by state population

11. Supported by smaller states / William Paterson
New Jersey Plan
Supported by smaller states / William Paterson
Lawmaking body:
Unicameral (1 House)
Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes
Based on Equality

12. Solving the Problem of Representation
Large States like Virginia desired Proportional Representation arguing in order for the new government to be more directly related to the people, states with larger populations should have more representatives.
Small States like New Jersey desired Equal Representation arguing that a government under proportional representation would lead to domination by the more populated states.

13. The Great Compromise This was a combination of both plans…
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)
Senate
House of Representatives
Each state gets 2 representatives
# of reps. would depend on populations

14. Slavery
The Southern states refused to approve the Constitution unless slavery continued.
3/5 Compromise - Made each slave worth 3/5 of a vote in deciding numbers in House of Representatives
Congress can not ban the slave trade until 1808.