1. Original 13 Colonies

2. The Constitutional Convention
Convened in Philadelphia in 1787 (hot & humid!)
Attended by 55 delegates (“Framers”)
from 12 colonies (all but Rhode Island)
Worked in complete secrecy (closed windows)
After debate, decided to start from scratch
Plans introduced and debated
Compromise necessary to reach agreement on a proposed constitution
First problem: representation

4. Different Constitutional Plans
The Virginia Plan
Three branches of government
Rep by population or $
Bicameral legislature
“National Executive” and “National Judiciary”
The New Jersey Plan
Unicameral Congress
Equal representation for States of different sizes
More than one federal executive
Chapter 2, Section 4

5. Compromises Issues to Resolve
Connecticut Compromise: A bicameral legislature with representation and voting in the upper house [the Senate] at two per states and representation and voting in the lower house [the House of Representatives] based on population
Issues to Resolve
Should slave population be considered in determining representation in the House of Representatives?
Should the national government have the power to regulate interstate and international trade?

6. Number of slaves
per state in 1770

8. Resolutions
Three-fifths Compromise: All “free persons” should be counted, and so, too, should “three-fifths of all other persons.”
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise: Congress forbidden to tax the export of goods from any state and forbidden to act on the slave trade for at least 20 years.The national government will regulate interstate and international trade.