1. The Constitution

2. Definitions Popular Sovereignty:
Political authority belongs to the people
Federalism:
Sharing of power between a central and state governments

3. Definitions Checks and Balances:
Keeps any one of the branches of the government from gaining too much power

4. Constitution
Why did the delegates meet for the Constitutional Convention?
Wanted to make needed changes to the Articles of Confederation

5. Constitutional Convention
WhERE:
Philadelphia State House
(Independence Hall)
WhEN:
Summer of 1787

6. Constitutional Convention
Who:
55 Total delegates/ 12 States (No RI)
James Madison (Note Taker)
Edmund Randolph (Virginia Plan)
William Patterson (NJ Plan)
George Washington (President)

7. Constitutional Convention
Who:
Gouverneur Morris (Against 3/5 Plan)
George mason (Stop slave trade)
John Rutledge (Proslavery)
Ben Franklin (Oldest)

8. Constitutional Convention
Goal:
Delegates planned on discussing ways to improve the Articles of Confederation.
Some wanted to make small changes and others wanted to rewrite it completely

9. Constitution
What were the main issues debated and the compromises reached at the Constitutional Convention?
3 Answers (Compromises)
1. Small and large states were concerned about representation
(the great compromise)

10. Constitutional Convention
Events/ Problems
Virginia Plan (Large States):
3 Branches
Bicameral Legislative (2 Houses)
Chosen by population
Strong central government

11. Constitutional Convention
Events/Problems:
NJ Plan (Small States):
Unicameral (1 House)
Chosen by equal number
Central government has power to tax

12. Constitutional Convention
Resolutions/Compromises
1. Great Compromise:
Combined VA and NJ Plans
2 House Legislature
Upper House (Senate) based on equal power (2 per State)
Lower House (Rep’s) based on state population

13. constitution
What were the main issues debated and the compromises reached at the constitutional convention?
2. Slavery counting as
population

14. Constitution
What were the main issues debated and the compromises reached at the Constitutional Convention?
3. Slave Trade

15. Constitutional Convention
Events/Problems:
Whether to count slaves as part of a state’s population (North V South)
Should slave trade continue

16. Constitutional Convention
Resolutions/Compromises
2. 3/5 Compromise:
Slaves count as 3/5 of a person
Important for House of Representatives

17. Constitutional Convention
Resolutions/Compromises
3. Slave Trade:
Will continue for at least 20 years

18. Constitution
How is the Federal Government balanced under the U.S. Constitution?
System of Checks and Balances keeps POWER divided

19. Definitions Executive Branch: President & Departments
Carries out the Laws

20. Definitions Legislative Branch: Upper: Senate- 2 per State
Lower: House of Representatives- Based on Population
Propose and pass laws

21. Definitions Judicial Branch: National Courts
Interprets laws/Punishments/Settle state disputes

22. Constitution Executive: Veto power over congress Legislative:
Override veto’s with 2/3 majority
Judicial:
Can review passed laws and do away with laws that are unconstitutional

23. Constitutional Convention
Why it matters?
New constitution would provide a very strong central government while allowing states to handle laws not covered by national government.
Made sure each branch of government would be “checked.”