1. The Constitutional Convention
Starting a New Government

2. Convention Facts Concerns about ‘Articles’ grew into two meetings:
Mt Vernon and Annapolis
Philadelphia was final stop for bigger meeting
Every state sent delegates except Rhode Island
1st Act: Unanimously elect George Washington as President

3. Virginia Plan Creation of a bicameral (2 house) legislature
Each state would send representatives in proportion to number of citizens
Large populated states would be at an advantage
Original copy written by James Madison

4. New Jersey Plan Creation of a unicameral (1 house) Congress
Each state has an equal vote
Smaller states has same voting power
Aimed to keep state governments more powerful than national government
Constitutional Convention

5. The Great Compromise Created Legislative Branch made up of Two Houses:
Senate
Each state, regardless of size, would have same number of representatives
House of Representatives
Number of seats based on each state’s population

6. Three-Fifths Compromise
What do they do about the slaves?
South would dominate Congress if counted.
North would have strength if not counted
Solution:
3/5 of a state’s slave population would be counted when determining representation

7. Three Branches of Government
Legislative (Congress) – Make Laws
Ratify Treaties, Override Veto
Declare War, Impeach/Remove President
Executive (President) – Enforce Laws
Propose Laws, Negotiate Foreign Treaties
Veto Laws, Appoint Federal Judges
Judicial (Supreme Court) – Explains/Applies Laws
Hear/make decisions on legal cases
Declare executive action unconstitutional
Declare acts of congress unconstitutional

8. Separation of Powers Why Do We Need It?
To keep the power of government under control
Vital to the Constitution, due to the fear of a tyranny reigning once again
Checks and Balances
Created to give each branch the power to check or stop the other in certain ways

9. Federal System of Government
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
CONCURRENT POWERS
STATE GOVERNMENTS
Powers granted to national government by the Constitution
Powers held and exercised by both national and state governments
Powers not granted to the national government or reserved for the states
Declaring War
Collecting Taxes
Establishing an educational system

10. Ratifying The Constitution
Federalists
Favored the Constitution
Washington, Hamilton, Madison
Anti-Federalists
Opposed the Constitution
Posed threats to state governments
Threat to rights of individuals
Ratify = needed 9 of 13 states

11. Constitution Ratified!!
June 1788
Why did it pass?
Overall sense that Articles had serious flaws
Specific plan of government
Well-organized
George Washington