1. The Constitutional Convention 1787
State delegates met to revise the
AOC. This meeting resulted in the decision
to create an entirely new plan of government,
called the United States Constitution.

2. Constitutional Convention 1787 “A Bundle of Compromises”
Delegates were from many different states the Convention was filled with many disagreements, debates, and compromises

3. How will state “representation” in Congress be decided?
ISSUE #1
How will state “representation” in Congress be decided?
Congress:
The legislative branch of the national government that is
responsible for making laws. This branch is made
up of state representatives.

4. NEW JERSEY PLAN -Proposed the idea of EQUAL REPRESENTATION
proposed by William Patterson
-Proposed the idea of
EQUAL REPRESENTATION
- regardless of a state’s
population, each state
would get 2 representatives
In Congress
Which states favored this plan?
LARGE or SMALL States?
SMALL STATES

5. Virginia Plan Proposed the idea that representation
proposed by Edmond Randolph
Proposed the idea that representation
should be based on population.
-the states with higher populations
should have more representatives in
Congress.
Which states favored this plan?
LARGE or SMALL States?
LARGE STATES

6. Virginia Plan Senate House of Representatives NEW JERSEY PLAN
Look how the Great Compromise “shares” ideas from the
Virginia Plans and New Jersey :
House of Representatives
Senate
Virginia Plan
- the states with higher populations should have more representatives in
Congress.
NEW JERSEY PLAN
- regardless of population, each state
would get 2 representatives
In Congress
-representation
based on population
-EQUAL REPRESENTATION

7. The “Great Compromise” was made proposed by Roger Sherman(Connecticut Plan)
Congress was divided into two houses (BiCameral)
House of Representatives
the # of representatives
is based on state population
(Proportional Representation)
Senate
- Each state is given an
equal # of representatives
2 senators per state

8. U. S. House of Representative Seats
Today

9. Three-fifths Compromise
ISSUE #2
Should slaves count when determining a state’s population?
Three-fifths Compromise
3 out of every 5 slaves would count when determining a
states population
If all slaves were counted as part of the population which states would be at an advantage? Explain
Southern States of course they had all the slaves

11. Constitution be ratified
Should the
Constitution be ratified
with or
without
a Bill of Rights?

12. What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 Amendments
to the Constitution.
These amendments
Protect our
Basic freedoms
from being violated
by the Federal
Government.
Amendment:
an addition
or change to
the Constitution

13. Vs. Federalists led by Anti-Federalists led by Thomas Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton

14. the Constitution already
Anti-Federalists
argued that
the only way they
would ratify the
Constitution was
if a Bill of Rights
was added. These
Amendments would
guarantee that the
Government could not
violate our
Individual liberties.
Federalists
argued that there
was no need for
a Bill of Rights. In the
Federalist Papers,
Hamilton argued that
there was no need for
a Bill of Rights since
the Constitution already
limits the power of the
national government.

15. Major arguing point of Hamilton in the Federalist Papers:
Separation of Powers: The U.S. Constitution established 3 branches of government. Each branch is “limited in power” by having its own responsibility. In this way no ONE Branch has ALL the power.
Executive
Legislative
JudiciaL
Carries out the law; executes, enforces
the law
Makes the laws
Interprets the law

16. I like much the general idea of framing a government, which should go on of itself peaceably, without needing continual return to the State legislatures…. I will now tell you what I do not like. First, the omission of a bill of rights…. Let me add, that a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular; and what no just government should refuse
Thomas Jefferson 1787 1.
Opposed to leaving out a
Bill of Rights 2.
Anti-Federalist. He believes
in ratifying the Constitution
Only if a Bill of Rights is added.

17. ‘Tis really astonishing that the same people, who have just emerged from a long and cruel war in defense of liberty, should now agree to fix an elective despotism
(ABSOLUTE POWER ) upon themselves and their posterity.
Richard Henry Lee 1788 3.
We fought the
Revolution to overthrow a king and it would be foolish to create a government that did not have a “safeguard” (Bill of Rights) in place to protect our basic liberties.

18. -Jefferson and the Anti-Federalists won the debate!!
-By 1791, 10 of the original 12 proposed amendments were added to the Constitution

19. What are Principles?
A principle is a kind of rule, belief, or idea that guides you.

20. How do Principles work in the Constitution?
Principles guide the Constitution, just as principles guide people.

21. What are the 7 Constitutional Principles?

22. 1. Popular Sovereignty
The belief that people can and should govern themselves; the people rule.
Example – People can run for office, campaign for individuals who run, or protest decisions made by others.

23. 2. Republicanism
People vote for people to represent their views in government. (Representative Government)
Example: You can’t have the whole population vote on everything, so you vote on people who share similar beliefs and allow them to vote.

24. 3. Federalism
Power is shared by the 50 states and the Federal government.
Example:
In our system, the Federal government does have ultimate authority, but states have a lot of say in what goes on as well.
Powers for the national government =
Powers for the state government =
Powers shared between the national and the states=
Delegated Powers
Reserved Powers
Concurrent Powers

25. 4. Separation of Powers
The Federal government is divided into 3 branches - Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
Example: This system prevents any one branch from gaining too much power and turning the country towards tyranny (abuse of power)

26. 5. Checks and Balances
Definition – Each of the 3 branches of government has a check on the other 2 branches. This balances power between the 3, ensuring that none of the branches seizes total control.
Example – Federal judges are nominated by the President, but have to be approved by Congress.
Bills must be passed by the legislative branch, signed by the President, and can even be challenged in the Courts.

27. 6. Limited Government
Definition – Everybody has to follow the same laws, even members of the government.
Example: If a President committed a crime, they would face a trial just like everybody else.

28. 7. Individual Rights
Definition – Personal liberties (Unalienable Rights) and privileges that people are born with and can not be taken away.
Example: The Bill of Rights, the first Ten Amendments, was created to specifically ensure the rights of the people.