1. The Constitutional Convention
A Few Problems to Sort Out

2. A Little Background…
A convention was called in 1787 to fix the failing Articles of Confederation
The convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Delegates from 12 states attended most of the meetings (Rhode Island did not attend)
Debates were closed to the public and kept secret
James Madison considered the “father of the Constitution” because of all the records he kept

3. Who’s Who at the Convention?
Alexander Hamilton
Delegate from New York
A Strict Federalist
George Washington
Unanimously elected president of the convention
Former leader of the Continental Army

4. James Madison Roger Sherman Benjamin Franklin Delegate from Virginia
Considered the ‘father of the constitution’ because of all the notes he kept
Roger Sherman
Delegate from Connecticut
Helped to develop the ‘great compromise’
Benjamin Franklin
Delegate from Pennsylvania
Famous diplomat (travelled to foreign countries)

6. Issues facing the Convention
How should people be represented in government?
What should Congress look like?
What should people do about slavery?

7. Key Conflicts of the Constitutional Convention
Strong Central Gov’t
Strong State Gov’t
Authority comes from the people
Federal government has more power than the states
Authority comes from the states
States remain stronger than the federal government
Large States
Small States
Congress should have 2 houses – BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
Representation is based on population of a state in both houses
Congress should have 1 house- UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
Each state has one vote in Congress regardless of size or population
North
South
Slaves should NOT count towards a state’s population
Slaves should be taxed
Slave trade should be limited or stopped altogether
Congress should pass TARIFFS and taxes to protect business
Slaves SHOULD count towards a state’s population
Slaves should NOT be taxed
Slave trade should not be regulated by the national government
Congress should NOT pass TARIFFS

8. Representation The Virginia Plan Proposed by Edmund Randolph
Wanted a bicameral (two house) Congress
States would gain representatives based on the population
Wanted for a national government that consisted of three branches with supreme power
Legislative, executive, judicial
Supported by the larger states of the south

9. Representation The New Jersey Plan One house Congress (unicameral)
All states have an equal vote (this was similar to the Articles of Confederation)
States were thought of as independent
Support by the small states

10. The Great Compromise Suggested by Roger Sherman
Decided on a bicameral legislation (Congress)
The House of Representatives
Based on state’s population
Senate
Represented by an equal number from each state

11. • It provided for a bicameral Congress.
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
- It called for a bicameral legislature, in which the number of representatives in each house would depend on the population of the state.
- Both plans called for a strong national government with 3 branches.
- It called for a unicameral legislature, in which every state received one vote.
Great Compromise
• It provided for a bicameral Congress.
A. House of Representatives – each state is represented according to its population (satisfied the VA Plan)
B. Senate – each state has 2 Senators (satisfied the NJ Plan)
* Both houses of Congress must pass every law.

12. Should slaves count in the population?
The south wanted to count slaves as part of their population because it would increase their representatives
The northern states did not want this
What should be done?!?!

13. The Three-Fifths (3/5) Compromise
For every five slaves, the state would receive a count of three people towards their representatives
Created by James Wilson and Roger Sherman

14. Three-Fifths Compromise
• In order to determine the population of a state, only 3 out of every 5 slaves would be counted.

15. …But What About Trade?
Southern states wanted the states to have control over the regulation of trade
Feared a national ban on the slave trade
Feared a duty (or tax) on agricultural exports
Northern States wanted the national government to regulate trade
Wanted the national government to be able to collect tariffs and duties

17. Another Problem!?!?
Almost every single state could agree that there was a need for strong central figures, like the president
However, the issue of how to elect the new president, and about how that office should be served arose

18. Southern States Wanted the state legislations to elect the president
Wanted the president to serve a short term
Wanted a limit on the number of terms a president could serve

19. Northern States
Wanted the direct election of the president by qualified voters
Wanted a longer term for the president
Did not want any limits on the number of terms a president could serve

20. Presidential Compromise
Indirect election of the president by the Electoral College
4 year term
No limit on the number of terms*
* A two limit term was added by the 22nd amendment in 1951

21. Ratification
In order to make the constitution official, 9 of the 13 states had to approve
Special elections were held
delegates were chosen by voters for a state convention
Those delegates would vote to approve or reject the constitution

22. Two Sides Federalists Antifederalists Supported the constitution
Believed a strong central government was needed
Believed separation of powers and check and balances would protect individual freedoms
Antifederalists
Disapproved of the constitution
Believed power should stay with individual states
Believed the Constitution did not go far enough to protect individual freedoms

23. Federalists
Led by George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton
Supported STRONG CENTRAL GOV’T
Were supported by urban centers and small states
Wanted the Constitution to be ratified as it was written – without a BILL OF RIGHTS

24. The Federalist Papers Written by Alexander Hamilton,
James Madison, & John Jay
Encouraged Americans to support
The Constitution even though it did
not have a Bill of Rights
85 Essays that explained Constitutional provisions such as:
Separation of powers
Power of majorities
Limits of governmental powers

25. Antifederalists Led by Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams
Supported by rural farmers and large states
Published “Letters from the Federal Farmer” to explain that they believed freedom of the press and religion needed to be protected
Wanted a Bill of Rights to ensure basic liberties of the people

26. Final Results Three branches of government House of Representatives
Population
Senate
Equal representation
Slaves count at 3/5 in population

27. More Results Federal regulation of interstate and international trade
No export duties for 20 years
No slave bans for 20 years
President is elected by the Electoral College
4 year term
No limit on number of terms

28. U.S. Constitution

29. Parts of the Constitution
Preamble-States the purpose
Article 1- establishes Legislative Branch
Article 2-establishes Executive Branch
Article 3-established Judicial Branch
Article 4-relations among states
Article 5-how to amend the Constitution
Article 6-supremacy of national government
Article 7-ratifying the Constitution

30. Purpose of the Preamble
The Preamble of the Constitution establishes what the founding fathers wanted to do with our new government
It is like an introduction paragraph (states the purpose)
There are six goals established in the Preamble

31. 6 Goals of the Preamble 1st- “In order to form a more perfect union..”
The writer of the Constitution were formally stating that the original government, the Articles of the Confederation, did not work.
2nd- “Establish Justice”
All of the laws that are created under the new constitution must be fair and reasonable for all citizens to follow.
3rd “Insure domestic tranquility”
With the creation of the new constitution, the founding fathers wanted to create peace within the new nation.

32. 4th- “Provide for the Common Defense”
The new nation realized that to be able to defend themselves, they needed to create a strong army and navy.
5th- “Promote the General Welfare”
The individual governments of the states needed to come together for the well-being of the country as a whole
6th “Secure the Blessings of Liberty”
Lastly, to ensure this new government would stand the test of time for generations to come