1. Constitutional Convention
Notes 1-4

3. Constitutional Convention
Articles of Confederation: America’s first national government ( )
Federal Gov’t was too weak to survive

4. Weaknesses of the Articles
All 13 states have to agree to decisions
States decide if they want to contribute money to Federal Gov’t
Can’t draft soldiers
Can’t tax citizens to pay for an army

5. Prominent Delegates George Washington Alexander Hamilton Ben Franklin
James Madison

6. Constitutional Convention
James Madison: “Father of the Constitution”

7. Constitutional Convention
Virginia Plan
Favors strong Federal GOVT
Supported by states with largest populations
Representation: Based on Population

8. Constitutional Convention
2. New Jersey Plan
Favors 13 strong States
Supported by states with small populations
Representation: Equal for all states

10. Constitutional Convention
3. The Great Compromise
Strong National GOVT
Congress (Legislative Branch)
1. Senate – equal representation
2. House of Representatives – representation based on state’s population
President (Executive Branch)
Supreme Court (Judicial Branch)
Senate choosen by State Legislatures
House of Reps choosen by People

11. Constitutional Convention
4. Three-Fifths Compromise
“Curse on the U.S. Constitution”
Are black slaves property or people?
Count slaves as 3/5’s of a person for representation
States must pay taxes on 3/5’s of slaves
Madison tries to get rid of slavery but fails
Southern economy tied to slavery

12. Three-Fifths Compromise

13. Constitutional Convention
5. Economic Compromise
Slave Trade ends in 1808
Congress could not tax exports
Treaties must be approved by 2/3 vote of the Senate