1. The U.S. Constitutional Convention Took place in Philadelphia, Pa, to address problems in governing the US of America, which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation Many Delegates wanted to create a new government rather than “ fix ” the existing one. Delegates elected George Washington to preside over the Convention.

2. Articles of Confederation Caused deep divides between the states which the national government could not resolve. Could only be amended by unanimous vote of the states, this gave any state an effective veto power. Weak federal government with no taxing power and it could not resolve interstate disputes.

3. Articles of Confederation cont. ’ d Each state is perfectly equal, each had one vote.

4. The Convention Was set to begin on May 14, 1787, but didn ’ t start until May 25 due to difficulty of travel. James Madison ’ s ‘ Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 ’ remain the most complete record of the convention.

5. Deliberations The Virginia Plan, also known as the ‘ Large State Plan ’ was presented by Edmund Randolph on May 29, 1787. The Charles Pickney Plan, probably the least popular, was presented immediately after the Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan, also known as the ‘ Small State Plan ’ presented by William Paterson on June 15, 1787. The Alexander Hamilton plan, also know as the ‘ British Plan ’ was presented June 18, 1787.

6. The Virginia Plan, or Large State Plan Virginian delegates met and using Madison ’ s thoughts, works, and notes; came up with what came to be known as the Virginia Plan. Presented by Virginia governor Edmund Randolph on May 29, 1787, the Virginia Plan proposed a very powerful bicameral legislature. Both houses of the legislature would be determined proportionately. The lower house would be

7. Virginia Plan cont ’ d Elected by the people, and the upper house would be elected by the lower house. The executive would exist solely to ensure that the will of the legislature was carried out and would therefore be selected by the legislature. The Virginia Plan also created a judiciary, and gave both the executive and some of the judiciary the power to veto, subject to override.

8. The New Jersey Plan, or the ‘ Small State Plan ’ After the Virginia Plan was introduced, NJ delegate William Paterson asked for an adjournment to contemplate the plan. The Virginia Plan threatened to limit the smaller states ’ power by making both houses of legislature proportionate to population. Paterson ’ s NJ Plan was a rebuttal to the Virginia Plan.

9. NJ Plan cont ’ d The NJ Plan was much closer to the original reason for the Convention, to fix the Articles of Confederation. Paterson presented the plan to the Convention on June 15, 1787.

10. Alexander Hamilton ’ s Plan Unsatisfied with the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan, Alexander Hamilton proposed his own plan. It also was known as the British Plan, because of its resemblance to the British system of strong centralized government. In his plan, Hamilton advocated eliminating state sovereignty and consolidating the states into a single nation.

11. Hamilton ’ s Plan cont. ’ d Hamilton presented his plan to the Convention on June 18, 1787. The plan was well received as a well-thought-out plan, but it was given very little consideration because it resembled the British system too closely.

12. The Connecticut Compromise, also known as ‘ The Great Compromise ’ Forged by Roger Sherman, from Connecticut, who proposed the plan on June 11, 1787. Blended the Virginia (Large State) and the New Jersey (Small State) proposals. Sherman suggested a two-house national legislature, but proposed “ That the proportion of suffrage in the 1 st branch (house) should be according to the respective numbers of free inhabitants; and that in the second branch (Senate) each state should have one vote and no more ”.

13. The Connecticut Compromise cont. ’ d Although Sherman was will liked and respected among the delegates, his plan failed at first. It was not until July 23 rd that representation was finally settled.