1. M R. V ERB US H ISTORY – S HADOW R IDGE H IGH S CHOOL The Constitutional Convention

2. The convention Begins ● In May of 1787 the state legislatures sent 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention ● Important Figures: ● George Washington: Revolutionary War Hero ● Benjamin Franklin: World Famous Scientist and Diplomat ● James Madison: “Father of the Constitution.”

3. Organization & Agreements ● George Washington Presiding ● A majority vote of all states represented would make decisions. ● No Public Presence or Press ● All delegates agreed to…. ● Abandon Articles of Confederation ● Strengthen National Gov. and limit State Gov. ● Legislative, Executive, & Judicial Branches

4. The Virginia Plan ● Comprised of 15 resolutions written by Madison which included… ● Strong National Legislature with 2 Chambers (Upper &Lower) ● Strong National Executive (chosen by legislature) ● National Judiciary (chosen by legislature) ● Many modifications were made to the Virginia Plan but it would later become the basis for our Constitution.

5. The New Jersey Plan ● Smaller states wanted a less-powerful national gov. ● William Patterson of New Jersey proposed… ● Unicameral legislature with one vote for each state ● Gave congress power to impose taxes and regulate trade ● Weak Executive and Judiciary ● New Jersey Plan was Rejected. ● Too similar to the failed Articles of Confederation

6. Hot Summer = Hot Tempers ● Large States vs. Small States in Representation

7. Connecticut Compromise ● Legislative Branch ● House of Representatives – state representation based on population. ● Senate – 2 members from each state (initially elected by state legislature) ● Larger states had advantage in the House and smaller states had advantage in the Senate, where representation was equal.

8. Three-Fifths Compromise ● 1/3 of Southern Population were slaves ● Southern states wanted slaves counted for Representation, but not for levying taxes. ● 3/5 of the slave population would be counted in representation and taxation.

9. Slave Trade ● Congress could not ban slave trade until 1808 ● Congress regulates interstate commerce (trade between states), and foreign commerce. ● No taxes on exports – this helped the south ● Delegates knew that southerners would not agree to a constitution that interfered with slavery ● Fugitive Slave Clause – runaway slave had to be returned

10. Further Compromises ● How to elect Presidents? ● Electoral College ● Presidential Terms? ● 4 Year Terms

11. Ratification ● Federalists (city merchants) vs. Anti-Federalists (rural farmers and laborers) ● Anti-Federalists did not like the fact that there was no Bill of Rights in the Constitution ● Federalists would later promise a Bill of Rights as the first act of Congress ● Federalist Papers – series of essays arguing for the ratification of the Constitution ● Hamilton, Madison, & Jay

12. Ratification

13. New Government ● Washington elected as First President ● John Adams Vice President ● First Meeting of Congress: March 4, 1789 ● Federal Hall in New York City