1. Objectives
Understand the reasons leaders called for the Constitutional Convention.
Summarize the rival plans of government proposed at the convention.
Describe the compromises made in order to reach agreement on the Constitution.

2. Terms and People
Alexander Hamilton – New York delegate, favored strong central government
James Madison – “Father of the Constitution,” proposed the Virginia Plan
Virginia Plan – Madison’s proposal for a strong federal government divided power between executive, legislative, and judicial branches
New Jersey Plan – William Paterson’s proposal for a unicameral legislature gave each state one vote and retained most features of the Articles of Confederation

3. Terms and People (continued)
Great Compromise – Roger Sherman’s proposal, which included a House based on population and a Senate with two votes per state
federalism – a system that divides power between state governments and the federal government
Three-Fifths Compromise – in return for Southern support of the Constitution, northerners agreed to count each slave as 3/5ths of a person for determining electoral votes and seats in Congress

4. What new system of national government did the delegates agree upon at the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
After Shays’ Rebellion, Congress called for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Instead, they created an entirely new constitution.

5. By 1787 most citizens agreed that the Articles were flawed and needed at least two major changes:
The power to regulate interstate and international commerce
The power to tax
In May, delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia to propose Amendments to the Articles.

6. 53 of the nation’s top leaders convened at the Pennsylvania State House.
Most helped to write their state constitutions.
Most were rich.
All were white males.
21 fought in the Revolution.
8 were signers of the Declaration of Independence.

7. Who came?
Leaders present:
James Madison
Roger Sherman
George Mason
Elbridge Gerry
William Paterson
James Wilson
John Dickinson
Charles Pinckney
Benjamin Franklin
Alexander Hamilton
Edmund Randolph
Gouverneur Morris
Missing: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They were serving as diplomats in Europe.
George Washington was chosen as president of the Convention.

8. Framers of the Constitution
Alexander Hamilton advocated a powerful central government.
Ben Franklin contributed experience, wisdom, and prestige.

9. Framers of the Constitution
Called the Father of the Constitution, James Madison already had a plan of government in mind.
Called the Father of our Country, George Washington attracted crowds when he arrived in Philadelphia.

10. Hamilton and Madison emerged as leaders.
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
Favored a large republic with diverse interests to preserve the common good
Favored a system where different interests would “check” each other’s power to ensure liberty
Conservative; he feared too much democracy
Favored a balance of aristocracy, monarchy, and republicanism

11. James Madison proposed his Virginia Plan:
A strong federal government with power to tax, regulate commerce, and veto state laws
A Senate and a House of Representatives, both based on population
A strong President to command the military and manage foreign relations

12. William Patterson proposed the New Jersey Plan:
An executive by committee rather than one leader
A unicameral legislature with one vote per state regardless of population
States retain sovereignty except for a few powers granted to the federal government

13. Roger Sherman proposed The Great Compromise to break the impasse:
Two Houses in Congress: The lower house was based on a state’s population. In the upper house, each state had two senators.
A system of federalism: Power would be divided between the federal government and the states. Certain powers, such as issuing money, were forbidden to states.

14. Slavery proved to be a divisive issue.
Southern states feared larger free states would dominate Congress and threaten slavery.
They saw slavery as essential for their economy and demanded protections in the Constitution.
Delegates from Georgia and South Carolina threatened to walk out.
Slavery proved to be a divisive issue.

15. A slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in Congress and electoral votes for presidential elections.
Importation of slaves could not be forbidden for twenty years.
Northern states could not pass laws to help runaway slaves.
Solution: Three-fifths Compromise

16. Some delegates refused to sign in protest:
No Bill of Rights
Southerners such as Charles C. Pinckney feared the inclusion of anti-slavery phrases, such as “all men are by nature free.”
Some delegates refused to sign in protest:
George Mason
Edmund Randolph
Elbridge Gerry, who called it “flawed”

17. On September 17th; 42 delegates remained at the convention.
Alexander Hamilton accepted the Constitution as the only alternative to “anarchy and convulsion.”
39 delegates signed and the Constitution was sent to the states for ratification.