1. The Constitutional Convention

2.  Agree - need national government - guard against abuse of power (separation of power) - limit government powers (state and national)  Disagree - number of representatives for each state - power of national government

3.  Constitutional Convention (May 25 th 1787) - PA State House (Philadelphia) - presiding officer- George Washington  Setting the Rules

4.  Other Rules - each state had one vote - no whispering, passing notes, or reading while a delegate was speaking *How did the delegate’s rules provide the freedom to explore ideas?

5.  Madison’s Plan - James Madison (Virginia) - strong national government - with separation of powers - Legislature – House of Representative - people elect directly - seats based on population Senate - House would choose - seats based on population *What did many delegates fear would happen with this plan?

6.  The VA and NJ Plans - How many representatives would each state have in their legislature? - Virginia - state’s population - Problem: larger states would out-vote them - New Jersey - William Paterson (N.J.) - one-house legislature - each state have equal number of voters

7.  The Great Compromise - Roger Sherman (Connecticut) - Bicameral Legislature - House of Representatives: elected based on population - Senate: each state would have two senators (regardless of population) *How does this ensure fairness?

8. *What was the purpose of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

9.  Executive Power - given to one President - enforce laws  Judicial Power - given to Supreme Court - interpret laws *What was the argument made in regards to electing a President?

10.  Voting and Elections - Caucasian men (land owners) vote on House of Representatives - state legislatures select senators - electoral college selects President *each state legislature determines how state electors are chosen

11.  September 17 th 1787 - 39 delegates signed the Constitution