1. The Constitutional Convention Chapter 2 Section 4

2. The Convention Begins In 1787 the Constitutional Convention began work on revising the Articles. Leaders of the convention included: –George Washington –Benjamin Franklin –James Wilson –Gouveneur Morris –James Madison

3. Section 4 Convention delegates agreed to abandon the former government and begin again. The delegates reached a consensus on many basic issues: The Convention Begins (cont.) –All favored limited and representative government. In 1787 the Constitutional Convention began work on revising the Articles.

4. Section 4 –All agreed that the powers of the national government should be divided among three branches. –All believed in limiting state power to coin money. –All agreed to strengthen the national government. The Convention Begins (cont.)

5. Section 4 Decisions and Compromises The Virginia Plan –a strong national legislature with two chambers, –Representation is based on population –a national executive to be chosen by the national legislature, and –a national judiciary to be appointed by the legislature.

6. Section 4 The New Jersey Plan –Congress would be given the power to impose tax and regulate trade. –Representation is equal for all states –A weak executive, of more than one person, would be elected by Congress. –A national judiciary with limited power would be appointed by the executive. Decisions and Compromises (cont.)

7. Section 4 The Connecticut Compromise, which was adopted, suggested a legislative branch with two parts –a House of Representatives, with state representation based on population, and –a Senate, with two members from each state. Decisions and Compromises (cont.)

8. Section 4 The Three-Fifths Compromise stated that slaves would count as three-fifths of a person for both tax purposes and representation. Another compromise established that Congress had the power to regulate interstate commerce and foreign commerce. Decisions and Compromises (cont.)

9. Section 4 A four-year presidential term was a compromise. The Constitution was completed on September 17, 1787 and signed by thirty-nine delegates. Decisions and Compromises (cont.)

10. Section 4 Ratifying the Constitution The debate over the ratification of the Constitution divided the people of the states into two groups. –The Federalists favored the Constitution and argued that we needed a strong national government.

11. –The Anti-Federalists complained that it gave the national government too much power. Section 4 Ratifying the Constitution (cont.) Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights to protect the rights of the states. Ratifying the Constitution