1. Section 3
The
Constitutional
Convention

2. The Constitutional Convention
May 1787 – colonial leaders met in Philadelphia to revise Articles of Confederation
Attended by 45 men
Included notables:
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
James Madison
Lasted until September
Soon after meetings began, it was decided to get rid of the A of C and write a new constitution

3. The Virginia Plan
Called for a strong national government with three branches
Legislature
Two houses
Based on state population
Executive
Judicial
Opposed by small states – they’d have less representation

4. The New Jersey Plan
Also called for three branches
Legislature
One house
Each state gets equal representation
Executive
Judicial
Opposed by larger states – they’d have less representation

5. Compromise
The Great Compromise
Plan called for a two-house Congress
Senate – each state has two representatives
House of Representatives – based on state’s population
Questions arose whether enslaved persons should be counted as part of the population

6. Three-Fifths Compromise – only three-fifths of the enslaved person would be counted

7. Signing the Constitution
September 17, 1787, delegates approved the new Constitution
Had to be ratified by 9 of 13 states to become new government