1. Origins of American Government
Chapter 2

2. Creating the Constitution
Section 4
Creating the Constitution

3. The Philadelphia Convention
In 1787 delegates from 12 of the 13 states traveled to Philadelphia to propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation.
The individuals who attended were some of the wealthiest and most influential members of American society.

5. The Plans The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan
Three Branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
Bicameral Legislature (Senate and House of Representatives)
Representatives apportioned by population or money contributed to government
Single Executive
Executive chosen by Congress
One or more supreme courts
Justices chosen by Congress
Three Branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
Unicameral Legislature
Representatives apportioned equally
Plural Executive
Executive chosen by Congress
Single supreme courts
Justices chosen by the executive.

8. “Great” Compromise
Legislature: Two houses (Senate and House of Representatives)
Senate apportioned equally
House apportioned by population

10. A Bundle of Compromises
The “Great” Compromise
The 3/5 Compromise
The Slave Trade and Commerce Compromise

11. Benjamin Franklin on the signing of the Constitution…
“ Sir, I agree with this Constitution to all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us. I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged to change opinions even on important subjects…

12. I doubt… weather any other convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution, for when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with these men, all their Prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish ideas. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, sir, to find this system approaching so near perfection as it does.”

13. The Constitution
Created a much stronger national government that placed greater authority in the hands of a centralized national government.
Three Branches – Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances