SECTION 4 Mr Plude THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION Constitutional

SECTION 4 Mr. Plude

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION • Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia • Competing plans—the Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan • Compromised on key issues.

DRAFTING A NEW CONSTITUTION The Convention Meets §May 25, 1787: convention begins § 12 of the 13 states attended §Rhode Island, fearing weaker state powers, sent no delegation.

DRAFTING A NEW CONSTITUTION The Convention Meets §Abolished Articles of Confederation §Created new framework for national government §Meetings were held in secrecy §No press or public.

DRAFTING A NEW CONSTITUTION Framers of the Constitution § 55 delegates §Known as Framers of the Constitution §One-third had served in the Continental Army.

DRAFTING A NEW CONSTITUTION Framers of the Constitution § 8 had signed Declaration of Independence § George Washington - president of convention § James Madison a major influence – Father of the Constitution § Roger Sherman – Connecticut Compromise § William Patterson – New Jersey Plan

The Virginia Plan (Big States) • James Madison main author • Central (National) government • Divided into three branches • Legislative – Make Law • Executive – Carry out Law • Judicial – Evaluate Law • Each branch with power to check the others.

The Virginia Plan • Strong national government powers • Make laws • Levy taxes • Control interstate commerce • National law superior to state law • Called for bicameral legislature with membership based on state’s population; lower house members elected directly by the people; upper house members selected by state legislatures

The Virginia Plan • Bicameral legislature • Membership in both house apportioned based on population • Lower house (House of Representatives) elected by citizens • Upper house (Senate) selected by state legislatures

The New Jersey Plan (Small States) • Small states concerned that Virginia Plan gave too much power to large states • The New Jersey Plan • Strong central government • Three branches • Unicameral Legislature • Equal Representation 1 vote per state • Rejected in comittee

The Great Compromise §Roger Sherman authors The Connecticut Compromise (The Great Compromise). §Bicameral legislature § lower house apportioned on state population § Upper house with two members each §Lower house (House of Representatives)elected directly by the people §Upper house (Senate) selected by state legislatures

Compromise Over Slavery §Key Question - Was a slave a person or property §Southern states wanted slaves counted a part of population § Increasing representation § Increasing power of southern states §Northern States opposed and wanted to end importing slaves

Three-Fifths Compromise §Compromise on slave trade allowed it to continue protected for the next 20 years §Three fifths of slaves counted for apportionment

CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE §Election of President §Direct election by citizens (popular vote) § Appointment by State legislature or Congress §Compromise §State electors elected by citizens of state (Popular vote) §Number of electors based on population (Electoral College)

CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE Presidential Election • State electors equal to number of representatives in both houses of Congress • If no candidate received majority vote, House of Representatives would choose president

CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE Finalizing the Constitution • Some delegates refused to sign • Did not include a bill of rights. • 39 delegates from 12 states signed Constitution • Convention adjourned September 17, 1787 • Constitution would need to be ratified