1. Constitutional Convention
Members
Issues of Debates Compromises

2. Members 55 delegates White Males
Statesmen, lawyers, planters. bankers, businessmen
Most under age 50

3. Absent John Adams- ambassador to England
Thomas Jefferson- ambassador to France
Patrick Henry- “smelled a rat”
Sam Adams- not chosen by state to be part of the delegation

4. Famous Members Alexander Hamilton- leader of strong government
George Washington- chairman of the convention

5. James Madison-
Called the Father of the Constitution
He took careful notes on all the debates in the Convention.
Using the notes he took, he wrote most of the U.S. Constitution.

6. Benjamin Franklin-
He was the oldest member at 81 years old.
He was considered the “elder statesman”.
As others argued over the issues Franklin listened. He did not speak much, but when he did, everyone listened to him.
Franklin proved to be the voice of peace and reason.

7. Issues Debated at the Constitutional Convention

8. Representation of the States
The Articles of Confederation had only the congress with one house. Each state had one vote.
Larger states wanted the number of representatives to be based on their population.
Smaller states wanted an equal number of representatives in Congress.

9. Number of Congressmen determined by state population
Virginia Plan
Proposed by big states
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral (2 Houses)
Number of Congressmen determined by state population
Elected by the people
Elected by the 1st house
Based on Population

10. Supported by smaller states
New Jersey Plan
Supported by smaller states
Lawmaking body:
Unicameral (1 House)
Based on Equality
Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes

11. The Great Compromise This was a combination of both plans…
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)
Senate
House of Representatives
Each state gets 2 representatives
# of reps. would depend on populations

12. Slavery
Slavery became an issue with population. In the south, slavery made up 1/3 of the population
The south wanted slaves to count in their population so they would have more votes. Slaves however could not vote.

13. Three-Fifths Compromise
The Convention decided to count 3/5 of the total number of slaves as population.
This meant that every 5 African-Americans equaled 3 white people in population.
Slaves still could not vote

14. Federal vs. state government
Members of the Convention debated over how the government should be set up and where the powers should lie.
Popular Sovereignty- the people rule. The power of the government is based on the consent of the governed.
Limited Government- the idea that government is not all powerful, but can only do what the people allow it to.

15. Principles of the Constitution
Checks and Balances- A political system in which branches of government have some authority over the actions of the other branches
Separation of powers- the division of the government into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

16. Criticism of Constitution
Does not protect the rights of the individual
Does not protect states rights
Gives a central authority too much power