1. The Constitutional Convention
Lesson 2

2. I. Delegates to the Convention
The Constitutional Congress opened May 25, 1787.
Every state sent representatives but the state of Rhode Island.
55 delegates in all. 8 had signed the Declaration of Independence.
George Washington was elected president of the Convention

3. E. James Madison Best prepared of the delegates
36 years old, representative from VA.
Shy but intelligent.
Came to Philadelphia with a lot of research on history, government and commerce
Became known as Father of the Constitution

4. F. Secret Debates
Delegates wanted to keep the talks secret. They wanted to speak their minds and explore ideas without pressure from outside. (kept windows and doors closed)
After meetings began, the delegates realized they had to do more than just revise the Articles of Confederation. They had to write a brand new constitution.

5. II. The Virginia Plan
Virginia Plan was proposed by James Madison and Edmund Randolph. (delegates from Virginia)
Called for a strong national government with three branches
Legislative Branch- pass the laws
1. Would consist of 2 houses
2. Seats would be awarded on population of the state.
D. Executive Branch – carry out the laws
E. Judicial Branch- courts that would decide if laws were carried out fairly.

6. III. The New Jersey Plan
William Paterson presented the New Jersey Plan
Set up like Virginia Plan with the exception of :
1. There should only be one house in the Legislative Branch
2. Each state, regardless of population would only have one vote.
C. Small states feared that under the Virginia plan large states could outvote them in congress

7. IV. Great Compromise
Roger Sherman of Connecticut worked out a compromise to appease both sides.
Sherman called for a two house system:
1. Lower house would be called the House of Representatives that would be elected by popular vote.
a. Larger states got what they wanted because larger states would have seats awarded by population.
2. Upper house would be called the Senate
a. Members would be chosen by state legislatures
b. Regardless of the population each state would have 2 senators.
C. July 16, 1787 the Great compromise was barely passed

8. V. Northern and Southern states Compromise
Slavery was another big argument between the states.
1. Would slavery make up part of states population?
2. Would the slave trade still bring enslaved Africans to the US?
B. South and Slavery
1. Wanted to let slavery count into population even though they were not allowed to vote. (more representatives)
2. Northerners objected. Only voting population should count.
C. Delegates made another compromise.
1. If a southern state had 5,000 slaves, 3,000 would be counted in the population.
2. This agreement was known as the Three-Fifths Compromise

10. D. North and Slave Trade
Delegates from the North wanted Congress to ban the slave trade in the whole country.
The southern states warned Congress that this would ruin the economy of the country.
Both sides compromised again.
a. Northern states agreed that Congress could not outlaw slave trade for 20 years.
b. After which time Congress could do as they wished.

11. VI. Signing the Constitution
A. At the end of the summer there were 3 questions that Congress has left to answer.
1. How many years should the President, head of the executive branch, serve?
2. How should the system of federal courts be organized?
3. Would members of Congress be paid?
B. September 17,1787- it was ready to be signed.
1. all but 3 delegates signed it
2. each state had to hold a convention to approve or reject.
3. Once 9 states approved it, it would go into effect

12. 39 of the 55 delegates signed it