1. Section 4
Mr. Plude

2. The Constitutional Convention
Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia
Competing plans—the Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan
Compromised on key issues.

5. Drafting a New Constitution
The Convention Meets
May 25, 1787: convention begins
12 of the 13 states attended
Rhode Island, fearing weaker state powers, sent no delegation.

6. Drafting a New Constitution
The Convention Meets
Abolished Articles of Confederation
Created new framework for national government
Meetings were held in secrecy
No press or public.

7. Drafting a New Constitution
Framers of the Constitution
55 delegates
Known as Framers of the Constitution
One-third had served in the Continental Army.

8. Drafting a New Constitution
Framers of the Constitution
8 had signed Declaration of Independence
George Washington - president of convention
James Madison a major influence – Father of the Constitution
Roger Sherman – Connecticut Compromise
William Patterson – New Jersey Plan

10. Rival plans The Virginia Plan (Big States) James Madison main author
Central (National) government
Divided into three branches
Legislative – Make Law
Executive – Carry out Law
Judicial – Evaluate Law
Each branch with power to check the others.

11. Rival plans The Virginia Plan Strong national government powers
Make laws
Levy taxes
Control interstate commerce
National law superior to state law
Called for bicameral legislature with membership based on state’s population; lower house members elected directly by the people; upper house members selected by state legislatures

12. Rival plans The Virginia Plan Bicameral legislature
Membership in both house apportioned based on population
Lower house (House of Representatives) elected by citizens
Upper house (Senate) selected by state legislatures

13. Rival plans The New Jersey Plan (Small States)
Small states concerned that Virginia Plan gave too much power to large states
The New Jersey Plan
Strong central government
Three branches
Unicameral Legislature
Equal Representation 1 vote per state
Rejected in comittee

18. Conflict and compromise
The Great Compromise
Roger Sherman authors The Connecticut Compromise (The Great Compromise).
Bicameral legislature
lower house apportioned on state population
Upper house with two members each
Lower house (House of Representatives)elected directly by the people
Upper house (Senate) selected by state legislatures

19. Conflict and compromise
Compromise Over Slavery
Key Question - Was a slave a person or property
Southern states wanted slaves counted a part of population
Increasing representation
Increasing power of southern states
Northern States opposed and wanted to end importing slaves

20. Conflict and compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
Compromise on slave trade allowed it to continue protected for the next 20 years
Three fifths of slaves counted for apportionment

22. Conflict and Compromise
Election of President
Direct election by citizens (popular vote)
Appointment by State legislature or Congress
Compromise
State electors elected by citizens of state (Popular vote)
Number of electors based on population (Electoral College)

23. Conflict and Compromise
Presidential Election
State electors equal to number of representatives in both houses of Congress
If no candidate received majority vote, House of Representatives would choose president

24. Conflict and Compromise
Finalizing the Constitution
Some delegates refused to sign
Did not include a bill of rights.
39 delegates from 12 states signed Constitution
Convention adjourned September 17, 1787
Constitution would need to be ratified