1. The Constitutional Convention Chris Sandford American Government and Politics

2. Constitutional Convention  55 men from 12 states met in Philly in late May 1787.  They chose Washington as Convention President.  The plan was to “fix” the Articles. It became clear quickly that the a totally new Government needed to be written.  Hence, all meetings were held in secret throughout the summer.

3. Virginia Plan  First plan.  Bi-cameral Legislature.  Representation based upon population, meaning larger states would have more power.  Legislature given lots of power over state governments.  Plan also called for a national executive.  Plan also called for a national judiciary with a Supreme Court.  The Virginia Plan was passed and became the government.  It was later changed and amended.

4. New Jersey Plan  William Paterson (left), upset by the Virginia Plan, presented his own.  It favored the smaller states.  This plan was never passed but started a debate that created our current government.

5. New Jersey Plan  A Uni-cameral legislature.  This legislature would be filled equally no matter the size of the state.  Created a powerful Judiciary System, that had supremacy over state courts.  Created an executive which would be selected by the legislature.  This created a dead lock that almost sunk the entire convention.

6. Connecticut Compromise  Broke the dead lock at the convention.  Written by Roger Sherman from CT.  Bi-Cameral Legislature.  Upper House (Senate) filled based upon equality from the states.  Lower House (House of Rep.) filled based upon population.

7. 3/5 Compromise  Not only did the small v. large starts have controversy, so did Northern and Southern states.  The South wanted to count slaves as population for the House of Rep., obviously the North did not.  The Compromise called for total number of slaves to be counted and then divide by 3/5.

8. Adopted and Opposition  On September 17, 1787 the Constitution was adopted and sent to the states to be ratified.  Immediately after two groups formed to advocate for its passage and to push for its failure.  These two groups (Federalists and Anti- Federalists) led to one of the most famous set of writings about our democratic government - The Federalist Papers.

9. Challenges to this System 1. “All men are created equal.”? 2. “Government by the people”? 3. Federalism? 4. Checks and Balances 5. Minority Rights 6. Rights of accused 7. Citizens responsibility

10. Preamble of the Constitution We the people In order to form a more perfect union, Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, Provide for the common defense, Promote the general welfare and Secure the blessings of liberty To ourselves and our posterity, Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.