1. Warm Up 1. Why did the Continental Congress need to come up with a new plan for government? 2. What are some things they might have decided they needed to include in this new plan? HINT: Think of why the Articles of Confederation failed.

2. Constitutional Convention of 1787 Analyze the issues of the Constitutional Convention of 1787

3. Background Articles of Confederation were not working for the country 55 delegates – ¾ had been representatives in the Continental Congress People not represented: Native Americans, African Americans, women; were not considered citizens

4. Background Delegates were not sure what to expect Some thought they would amend the Articles of Confederation Some though they would design a whole new plan All agreed the it was the government’s responsibility to protect people’s rights Wanted a strong but limited federal government

5. Rules for the Convention President of convention – George Washington Allowed to consider all ideas and allowed to change sides in any debate Discussions would remain secret so they would not be pressured Windows to remain shut (it was summer!) Guards outside the door If door opened, conversation stopped

6. The Virginia Plan Edmund Randolph proposed the Virginia Plan Government would have three branches Proposed a legislature with two houses The number of representatives from each state in both house would depend on the state’s population Government would have power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and make laws WHICH STATES WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THIS PLAN? WHY?

7. New Jersey Plan William Paterson proposed the plan Legislature with one house Each state would have one vote in the legislature Legislature had the power to regulate trade, raise money by taxing foreign goods Government did not have as much power as in the Virginia Plan

8. Great Compromise Legislature would have two houses Senate would have an equal number of representatives for each state House of Representatives would be based on a state’s population Passed on July 16, 1787

9. Three-Fifths Compromise Representation in House of Representatives was to be based on state’s population Needed to decide who would be counted in that population Southern states wanted slaves to count as population for representation, but not taxation Northerners argued that slaves were not citizens and should not be counted for representation, but should be for taxation

10. Three-Fifths Compromise Delegates reached the Three-Fifths Compromise Three-fifths of the slave population would be counted when determining representation and setting taxes

11. Questions Why did the issue of representation in Congress divide the large states from the smaller states? How was this resolved? Do you agree with the Founders’ decision to keep the convention secret? Why or why not? Did the delegates do the right thing in agreeing to the Three-Fifths Compromise? Explain