1. The Constitutional Convention
Chapter 5, section 1
The Constitutional Convention

2. I. Debate over Kinds of Govt.
Agreements:
A national govt. was needed!
It had to guard against abuse of power!
Govt. power had to be divided!

3. Disagreements How many representatives would each state have.
How much power was to be given to the national govt.

4. II. Organization of Convention
Held in Philadelphia, Pa in Independence Hall.
Started May 25, 1787
George Washington elected presiding officer.

5. Rules of Convention Discussions were to be kept secret from public.
All discussions to take place only in the meeting room.
Each state had 1 vote
Each representatives opinion was to be heard.
No whispering, writing, note passing, or reading while a delegate was speaking.
Met 6 days a week, 10 AM to 4 PM
NO meals times

6. Plans of Government Madison’s Virginia plan 3 Branches of Govt.
Legislature = bicameral
House of Representatives = # based of states population. Elected by the people.
Senate = representative elected by State Legislatures.

7. Objections to his plan Dislike by small states, not enough reps.
Question about how much power to be given to govt.
Who would have power to decide slavery question.

8. New Jersey Plan 3 Branches
Legislature = 1 house, each state to have equal number of representatives.

9. Great Compromise 2 house legislature.
House of Representatives = based on state populations.
Senate = each state to have two senators.
Problem = southern states wanted to count their slaves in their state populations!

10. Great Compromise!
Slave states could count 3/5 of their slaves in determining number of representatives for the national legislature, House of Representatives.