1. Developing a Constitution
August 22, 2008

2. Virginia Plan was the first proposed plan for a Constitution
Called for a new government with 3 branches: Legislative, executive, judicial
Representation would be based on population or amount of money contributed to the central government.

3. New Jersey Plan offered several revisions to the Articles of Confederation, but was not nearly as radical as the Virginia Plan.
This plan retained a unicameral legislature with each State being equally represented

4. NJ and VA plans had several differences, most notably on the basis of how States would be represented in Congress

5. Connecticut Compromise said that Congress would be 2 Houses, one based on population, the other equal.
This satisfied both the proponents of VA plan and NJ Plan
Sometimes referred to as The Great Compromise

6. Three-Fifths Compromise agreed to count “all other persons” (slaves) as three-fifths of a person.
Debated whether or not slaves should be counted when figuring representation in the lower House
Would also be used for taxes

7. Compromise was a major factor in the formation of the Constitution, but not the only factor
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8. September 17, 1787 the convention approved its work
Two groups emerged concerning ratification:
Federalists  favored ratification
Anti-federalists  opposed

9. Federalist stressed weakness of Articles; a new government was only solution
Anti-Federalists objected on many points
Ratification process, absence of any mention of God
Also opposed greatly increased power of central government and lack of a bill of rights