1. Constitutional Convention
COMPROMISES
FEDERALIST V.
ANTIFEDERALIST

2. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
1787-Need for stronger federal government
55 delegates went to Philadelphia
Most were educated-lawyers, doctors, military leaders with political experience

3. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Established rules for convention
Decisions made with majority vote
Discussions were kept secret-delegates were able to speak freely without worrying about public reaction.
No formal records of the convention were kept

4. COMPROMISES How to create the government?
The Virginia Plan - three branches of government (executive, judicial, legislative)
Bicameral (two house) legislature-both houses would be represented by population
The New Jersey Plan- three branches of government
Unicameral Legislature- one vote per state

5. COMPROMISES Roger Sherman’s plan Compromise: The Great Compromise
Three branches of government
Bicameral legislature Senate and House of Representative.
Equal Representation in the Senate
Representation based on population in the House
Roger Sherman’s plan

6. COMPROMISES How to count the population?
Three-Fifths Compromise
Debate over how to calculate the population
Southerners wanted to count slaves into the total population
Northerners opposed the idea
Delegates agreed that every 5 slaves were counted as 3 free persons

7. Three-Fifths Compromise

8. COMPROMISES
THE COMMERCE AND TRADE COMPROMISE
States agreed that Congress would regulate trade between states as well as with other countries
Congress could not tax exports but could collect taxes
Congress had the right to settle disputes between states
The central government would be responsible for printing all money

9. COMPROMISES How the president would be elected?
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Some delegates thought Congress should choose President
Others believed people should vote to decide the presidency
Compromise: a group of people would be named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

10. STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION

11. CONSTITUTION
“IT’S A PLAN, BUT NOT A STRAITJACKET, FLEXIBLE AND SHORT.”
Harry S. Truman

12. CONSTITUTION Framework for the U.S. government
Supreme authority in the nation
Symbol of our nation
System of Government
Beliefs and Ideals
Freedom and Liberty

13. PREAMBLE Introduction to the Constitution Purpose of the Document
VERY clear that the power resides with the people
“We the people of the United States….do ordain and established this Constitution for the United States of America.”
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14. PREAMBLE Six Purposes of the Government
“ To form a more perfect union”
“To establish Justice”
“To ensure domestic Tranquility”
“To provide for the Common Defense”
“To promote the general Welfare”
“To secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”

15. THE ARTICLES Article I- The Legislative Branch
Article II- The Executive Branch
Article III-The Judicial Branch
Articles IV-VII

16. AMENDMENTS Changes to the Constitution Twenty-Seven Amendments
First Ten Amendments know as the Bill of Rights
Anti-Federalist pushed for the addition of a Bill of Rights

17. Amendment Process DIFFICULT Outlines in Article V Proposal
Congressional Action
2/3 vote of the members of Congress
National Convention
Requested by 2/3 of state legislatures

18. Amendment Process
THREE-FOURTHS (3/4) of states must ratify (approve/pass) the amendment
Vote by the state legislature
Special state convention

19. Interpreting the Constitution
Written in very GENERAL terms
“The Necessary and Proper Clause”
Congress has the power to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper to carry out its duties.
Exercise powers not specifically listed
IMPLIED POWERS
Loose vs. Strict Interpretation

20. Interpreting the Constitution
Supreme Court has final authority over Constitution
Interpretation through court decision