1. Focus Question
What new system of government did the delegates agree upon at the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
They adopted a system of divided power between the federal government and state governments
Federal government has three branches

2. The Philadelphia Convention
1787 Purpose was to amend the Articles
Immediately it was clear a new constitution need to be created
They met in secret 89 of the 116 days

3. The Constitutional Convention
James Madison proposed only a majority vote was needed to pass any resolution
Was a key proposal because 13 – 0 votes would have killed it before it got off the ground

4. The Constitutional Convention
Representatives
Most wealthy lawyers, merchants, or planters
Well-educated men in their 30s or 40s
Included: Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington

5. The Constitutional Convention
Thomas Jefferson was ambassador to France
Washington elected unanimously as presiding officer
Alexander Hamilton

6. Rival Plans of Government
Virginia Plan
Written primarily by Virginian James Madison
The plan traced the outlines of what would become the U.S. Constitution

7. Virginia Plan
A national government consisting of three branches with checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
2 houses: one with members elected by the people and the other composed of leaders elected by the state legislatures for 7-year terms.
Both would use population as a basis for dividing seats among the states.
Federal Government could make and enforce laws
Power was in the Union
Small states disagreed – Small pop. = fewer Reps/less power

8. New Jersey Plan Small states vigorously opposed Virginia Plan
4 largest states would have a majority in both houses
Presented by William Patterson

9. New Jersey Plan
Small states propose that one house have equal representation for each state
And a Supreme court to judge legality of laws passed by the legislative branch

10. Great Compromise also known as Connecticut Plan
Debate raged between large and small states
Roger Sherman offered a solution
The Great Compromise

11. Connecticut Plan Combines New Jersey and Virginia plan
2 houses in legislature one based on population (House of Reps)
One has equal representation for each state (Senate)

12. Three – Fifths Compromise
Should slaves be counted as part of the population
Southern States demanded that slaves count as part of the population
If the slaves were not counted the southern states would be weak in representation

13. Three – Fifths Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise, an agreement to count three-fifths of a state's slaves in apportioning Representatives
Required all states to return fugitive slaves to their owners.

14. Three – Fifths Compromise
Initially resulted in more representation in congress for southern states
Over the long term, the Three-Fifths Compromise did not work as the South anticipated
Northern population grew faster.
Since the northern states grew more rapidly than the South, by 1820, southern representation in the House had fallen to 42 percent.

15. Daily Quiz

16. Where was the Constitutional Convention held?
Philadelphia

17. The purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to
Amend the Articles of Confederation

18. Which proposal most resembled the Articles of Confederation?
The New Jersey Plan

19. The Three-Fifths Compromise resulted in
More representation in Congress for southern states.

20. What did the Three-Fifths Compromise require?
All states to return fugitive slaves to their owners.