1. The Constitutional Convention
Chapter 4.2

2. Delegates Gather
Federal Convention began in the Pennsylvania State House on May 25, 1787
Included people like:
Alexander Hamilton of New York
James Madison of Virginia
Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania
And other non typical Americans
George Washington elected to preside over the convention
They had to decide what a new government/constitution should contain

3. Alexander Hamilton
Did not like the idea of democracy He believed a balanced government should have elements of aristocracy, monarchy, and republicanism He favored the British constitution

4. James Madison Considered the “Father of the Constitution”
A critic of democracy, but he favored republicanism rather than a constitution modeled after the British system
He wanted a large republic with diverse interests
He hoped the nation’s learned men would rule the nation

5. Virginia Plan Proposed by James Madison
A 3 branch government – executive, legislative, judicial
A bicameral legislature with a House of Reps and Senate
In both houses the states with bigger populations would have more representation
Congress would be given the power to veto any state law
Called for a strong president to serve a 7 year term
Command armed forces, manage foreign relations, appoint all executive and judicial officers

6. New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Paterson of New Jersey
Gave Congress power to tax and regulate trade
Unicameral legislature representing the states as equal regardless of population
Executive committee rather than a single president
States remained sovereign except for the few powers granted to the national government

8. Great Compromise Proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut
Found a compromise between the 2 plans
A bicameral legislature
Senate would have equal representation
House of Reps would be based upon population

9. Great Compromise continued
Congress would not veto state laws
States could not print their own money
States could not provide debt relief at the creditor’s expense
Delegates ended up supporting federalism – a system that divided power between the state and national governments

10. Slavery Division between north and south states
South feared northern domination would threaten slavery
South Carolina and Georgia threatened to walk out unless slavery was protected
Slavery was essential to southern economy

11. Slave security in Constitution
1. Congress could not block the slave trade for 20 years
2. The Three-Fifths Compromise
3. all states had to return fugitive slaves

12. Three-Fifths Compromise
Slaves would be counted as part of the population in regards to representation in Congress
Every 5 slaves would equal 3 free people
This gave southern states more seats in Congress

14. Convention End
The delegates decided NOT to include a bill of rights - a guarantee of fundamental rights and privileges
Convention ends Sept 17
Many disliked the compromises

15. Convention End 39 out of 42 delegates signed the new Constitution
Those who refused to sign:
George Mason of Virginia
Edmund Randolph of Virginia
Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts
Next – need states to ratify (approve)

16. What were the major points of conflict that the framers of the constitution worked to resolve?
How did the framers resolve those conflicts?
Discuss one specific compromise reached during the convention. Do you agree or disagree with it? Why?

17. Works Cited
Werner-Lepsansky, Emma J., et al. United States History. Pearson Education
Inc: United States, Print.