1. Preamble of the constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

3. Constitutional Convention
How did the Constitutional Convention address the problems of the Articles of Confederation?

4. What is the constitutional convention?
Opened May 25, 1787
55 delegates came together in Philadelphia
All but Rhode Island sent delegates
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were missing (foreign ambassadors)

5. Constitutional Convention
Wanted to create a government that was strong enough to protect people’s rights but not so strong that it would oppress them.
Gouverneur Morris from PA was in charge of writing (wording) the Constitution
Final draft written by James Madison
Not considered the author
Nicknames “Father of the Constitution”

6. Leaders of the Convention
George Washington was asked to preside (lead) over the convention.
James Madison kept notes of the discussions and is often called “The Father of the Constitution.”
The men who wrote the Constitution are called the “Founding Fathers.”
All the participants in the Convention were wealthy, white, males

7. Issues that Divided a Nation
The power of the federal government. Would the states or the federal government have the most power?
How many members on Congress would each state get?
Small states wanted equal representation
Large states wanted it to be determined by population of the states
Slavery – How would slaves be counted? Would the slave trade continue?

8. How should we be represented
Virginia Plan (Randolph)
Bicameral legislature
Representation based on population
New Jersey Plan (Paterson)
Unicameral legislature
Equal representation
Connecticut Compromise (Sherman)
(The Great Compromise)
Bicameral
Senate (equal representation), House (population based)

9. Compromises 3/5 Compromise:
Helped inflate southern population because of the slave population slaves had 3/5 representation
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Limited government export taxes on slave trade and imports to southern states
Government could not ban slave trade until 1808

10. Slavery
The Southern states refused to approve the Constitution unless slavery continued.
It was a terrible compromise to make, but the Northern states had no choice if they wanted a Constitution.
3/5 Compromise - Made each slave worth 3/5 of a vote in deciding numbers in House of Representatives
Congress can not ban the slave trade until 1808.