1. The Constitutional Convention

2. 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

3. Articles of Confederation

4. 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

5. Constitutional Convention

6. George Washington and Benjamin Franklin

7. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton

8. 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

9. The Virginia Plan

10. 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

11. The New Jersey Plan

12. 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

13. The Hamilton & the British Plan

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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