1. 8.2 Creating the Constitution

2. Annapolis Convention
In 1786 delegates from five states met in Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss ways to promote trade among their states
Required amending the Articles of Confederation because the national government had been granted no power to regulate trade among states
Called for the states to send representatives to Philadelphia

3. The Convention's Delegates
About half were lawyers, others were planters, merchants, and doctors
Three-fourths of them had been representatives in the Continental Congress

4. The Delegates Assemble
By May 25th, 1787, at least two delegates from each of seven states had arrived in Philadelphia
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
James Madison

5. The Convention Begins
The first order of business was to elect a president for the convention
George Washington

6. The Virginia Plan Proposed a government with three branches
Legislature, which made the laws
Executive, which enforced the laws
Judiciary, which interpreted the laws
Proposed a legislature with two houses
The number of representatives from each state would be based on population or its wealth
Who would support this plan?
Who would oppose it?

7. New Jersey Plan Called for a legislature with only one house
Each state would have one vote
Delegates argued over representation in the legislature

8. Great Compromise
Each state would have an equal number of votes in the Senate
Representation in the House of Representatives according to state populations

9. Slavery and the Constitution
Southerners wanted the slaves to be counted as part of the general population for representation but not for taxation
Northerners argued slaves were not citizens should not be counted for representation but should be counted for taxation

10. Three-Fifths Compromise
Three-fifths of the slave population would be counted when setting direct taxes on the states
Also would be used to determine representation in the legislature
Congress could not ban the slave trade until 1808

11. Regulating Trade A tax on the slave trade
Agreed to allow the national government to pass laws on how goods could be exported
On Saturday, September 15th, 1787, the delegates voted their support for the Constitution in its final form