1. The Constitutional Convention
A Few Problems to Sort Out

2. A Little Background…
Many people across the new nation, especially farmers, merchants, and veterans were frustrated with the Articles of Confederation
A convention was called in 1787 to fix the failing Articles of Confederation
The convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Delegates from 12 states attended most of the meetings

3. Who’s Who at the Convention?
Alexander Hamilton
Delegate from New York
A Strict Federalist
George Washington
Unanimously elected president of the convention
Former leader of the Continental Army

4. James Madison Roger Sherman Benjamin Franklin Delegate from Virginia
Considered the ‘father of the constitution’ because of all the notes he kept
Roger Sherman
Delegate from Connecticut
Helped to develop the ‘great compromise’
Benjamin Franklin
Delegate from Pennsylvania
Famous diplomat (travelled to foreign countries)

6. Issues facing the Convention
How should people be represented in government?
What should Congress look like?
What should people do about slavery?

7. Representation The Virginia Plan Proposed by Edmund Randolph
Wanted a bicameral (two house) Congress
States would gain representatives based on the population
Wanted for a national government that consisted of three branches with supreme power
Legislative, executive, judicial
Supported by the larger states of the south

8. Representation The New Jersey Plan One house Congress (unicameral)
All states have an equal vote (this was similar to the Articles of Confederation)
States were thought of as independent
Support by the small states

9. The Great Compromise Suggested by Roger Sherman
Decided on a bicameral legislation (Congress)
The House of Representatives
Based on state’s population
Senate
Represented by an equal number from each state

11. • It provided for a bicameral Congress.
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
- It called for a bicameral legislature, in which the number of representatives in each house would depend on the population of the state.
- Both plans called for a strong national government with 3 branches.
- It called for a unicameral legislature, in which every state received one vote.
Great Compromise
• It provided for a bicameral Congress.
A. House of Representatives – each state is represented according to its population (satisfied the VA Plan)
B. Senate – each state has 2 Senators (satisfied the NJ Plan)
* Both houses of Congress must pass every law.

12. Should slaves count in the population?
The south wanted to count slaves as part of their population because it would increase their representatives
The northern states did not want this
What should be done?!?!

13. The Three-Fifths (3/5) Compromise
For every five slaves, the state would receive a count of three people towards their representatives
Created by James Wilson and Roger Sherman

14. Three-Fifths Compromise
• In order to determine the population of a state, only 3 out of every 5 slaves would be counted.

15. …But What About Trade?
Southern states wanted the states to have control over the regulation of trade
Feared a national ban on the slave trade
Feared a duty (or tax) on agricultural exports
Northern States wanted the national government to regulate trade
Wanted the national government to be able to collect tariffs and duties

17. Another Problem!?!?
Almost every single state could agree that there was a new for strong central figures, like the president
However, the issue of how to elect the new president, and about how that office should be served arose

18. Southern States Wanted the state legislations to elect the president
Wanted the president to serve a short term
Wanted a limit on the number of terms a president could serve

19. Northern States
Wanted the direct election of the president by qualified voters
Wanted a longer term for the president
Did not want any limits on the number of terms a president could serve

20. Presidential Compromise
Indirect election of the president by the Electoral College
4 year term
No limit on the number of terms*
* A two limit term was added by the 22nd amendment in 1951

21. Final Results Three branches of government House of Representatives
Population
Senate
Equal representation
Slaves count at 3/5 in population

22. More Results Federal regulation of interstate and international trade
No export duties for 20 years
No slave bans for 20 years
President is elected by the Electoral College
4 year term
No limit on number of terms

23. Your Job!
You are a reporter just about to break the story about the new US Constitution.
You must report on:
Who is involved
What were the main issues dealt with
What were the proposed plans
What was the final solution
Your article must be at least TWO paragraphs, or 8-10 sentences, long