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The Constitutional Convention
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The Articles of Confederation
Original government for the United States Based on a weak central government 9 out of the 13 states had to approve each law Congress could not levy taxes Congress could not regulate trade between the states
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Articles of Confederation
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Constitutional Convention
Delegates met in 1787 from the 13 states Needed a strong government that would endure Compromises had to be made The Great Compromise The 3/5 Compromise
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Constitutional Convention
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George Washington and Benjamin Franklin
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James Madison and Alexander Hamilton
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The Virginia Plan A bicameral legislature (two houses)
Both house's membership determined proportionately The lower house was elected by the people The upper house was elected by the lower house The legislature was very powerful An executive was planned, but would exist to ensure the will of the legislature was carried out, and so was chosen by the legislature Formation of a judiciary, with life-terms of service The executive and some of the national judiciary would have the power to veto legislation, subject to override National veto power over any state legislation
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The Virginia Plan
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The New Jersey Plan The current Congress was maintained, but granted new powers - for example, the Congress could set taxes and force their collection A unicameral legislature An executive, elected by Congress, was created - the Plan allowed for a multi-person executive The executives served a single term and were subject to recall based on the request of state governors A judiciary appointed by the executives, with life-terms of service Laws set by the Congress took precedence over state law
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The New Jersey Plan
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The Hamilton & the British Plan
A bicameral legislature The lower house, the Assembly, was elected by the people for three year terms The upper house, the Senate, elected by electors chosen by the people, and with a life-term of service An executive called the Governor, elected by electors and with a life-term of service The Governor had an absolute veto over bills A judiciary, with life-terms of service State governors appointed by the national legislature National veto power over any state legislation
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The Hamilton & the British Plan
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The Sherman Connecticut Compromise
Large states supported the Virginia plan Smaller states supported the New Jersey plan Proposed a bicameral legislature Lower house representation would be based on population Upper house would have equal representation between the states Two houses provides an internal check for the legislature
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3/5 Compromise & Electoral College
Population would decide representation in the House of Representation and distribution of taxes 3/5 of the population of slaves would count towards state’s population Electoral College Election of the President would be the responsibility of the states Representation in Congress would determine the voting power of each state
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Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Federalists - Wanted a strong central government Wanted to ratify (approve) the Constitution Anti-Federalists – were afraid of a strong central government Did not want to ratify the Constitution
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Reconciling the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The Bill of Rights The first 10 Amendments Gave rights to the people Protection from the government’s power
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Separation of Power The Constitution is set up to separate power
Power is distributed between the three branches and the states Each branch is elected in different ways Each branch has a distinct purpose
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