1. Constitutional Convention
Met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787 at Independence Hall.
Goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation.
55 men attended from 12 of the 13 states
Rhode Island didn’t send representatives
Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, John Adams, and Patrick Henry did not attend
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at 81.
George Washington presided over the meeting
James Madison
1st to arrive
Made detailed plans for the convention
Did research on forms of government
Brought 1st draft of framework for a new government
Attended every meeting sat in the front, and took notes of what was
said

2. Virginia Plan: Madison’s Plan Strong central (federal) government
Called for 3 branches of government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Legislative Branch with two houses based on population
Small states would have less representation
Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey
Took some power away from states
Congress chooses the president and judges
President and judges had the power to veto Congress

3. These plans led to a two week debate!!!
New Jersey Plan
Called for a 3 branch government
Legislative branch with one house, with each state getting one
vote
Congress kept same powers it had under the Articles of
Confederation
Added powers to tax and regulate trade
These plans led to a two week debate!!!

4. The Great Compromise Called for a two house Congress (Virginia Plan)
Upper house called the Senate
Each state would have two senators
Lower house called the House of Representatives
# of representatives is based on each state’s population
How do you count slaves into the population?
(Virginia Plan)
(New Jersey Plan)
(Virginia Plan)

5. 3/5 Compromise
The South wanted to count slaves for representation, but not for federal taxes
The North wanted to count slaves for taxes, but not for representation
Solution: Slaves count for both taxes and representation
Every 5 slaves counted as 3 people
Also, the North agreed not to outlaw slavery for 20 years

6. Convention Conclusion
Lasted 4 months
39 delegates signed
3 refused to sign
9 out the 13 states had to ratify for it to become law