Constitutional Convention

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Constitutional Convention
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Purpose of the Constitutional Convention

• The goal was to revise the Articles of
  Confederation . It was quickly decided to
  replace it.

Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation
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Philadelphia

• 53 Delegates met in absolute secrecy in
  Philadelphia during the summer of 1787.
• They met in Indepedence Hall.
• On average their were about 30 delegates their
  every day.
• James Madison was the only delegate to never miss
  a day.

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Virginia Plan
Proposed by big states Edmund
Randolph Lawmaking body Bicameral (2 Houses)
Based on Population
Elected by the 1st house
Elected by the people
of Congressmen determined by state population
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New Jersey Plan
Supported by smaller states William
Patterson Lawmaking body Unicameral (1 House)
Each state would have the same number of
Representatives or votes
Based on Equality
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The Great Compromise
Roger Sherman -This was a combination of both
plans Lawmaking body Bicameral Congress (2
Houses)
Senate
House of Representatives
Each state gets 2 representatives
of reps. would depend on populations
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Slavery

• Slavery became an issue with population. In the
  south, slavery made up 1/3 of the population
• The south wanted them to count in their
  population so they would have more votes. Slaves
  however could not vote.

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3/5 Compromise

• They decided to count 3/5 of the total number of
  slaves as population.
• 5 blacks 3 whites.
• Slaves still could not vote
• Large states did not want slaves to be counted
  toward taxation, but did for representation
• Small states did not want slaves to be counted
  toward representation, but did for taxation

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Separation of Powers
( How the Government will be organized )
3 Branches
Executive
Judicial
Legislative
House of Reps.
Senate

Congress Makes Laws
Carries out laws
Interpret the laws
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Amendments

• Before any of the states would sign the
  Constitution, the delegates wanted a way to amend
  the Constitution in order for it to grow with the
  times and the country.

Bill of Rights 1st Amendment 2nd Amendment 3rd
Amendment
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Signing the Constitution

• 39 delegates signed
• before leaving
• Philadelphia. Each
• state planned to have
• its own convention to
• vote on the adoption.
• Nine states were needed to ratify.

December 7, 1787
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Federalists vs. Anti Federalists

• ... Let the Battle Begin...
• Federalists Supporters of the New Constitution
• George Washington
• Ben Franklin
• James Madison
• Alexander Hamilton
• John Jay
• Anti Federalists Opposed ratification of the
  new Constitution
• 1. Would take away liberties
• 2. Create a strong central government
• 3. Ignore the will of the people
• 4. Favor the wealthy

Wanted the gov. close to the people Thomas
Paine Patrick Henry
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Ratification
June 21, 1788 New Hampshire, the 9th state signed
the constitution putting into effect the new
government. There were still states that had not
ratified. This threatened the outcome of the new
Gov.
The four remaining states signed by May of 1790!
Go USA!!
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George Washington was elected the first President
of the U.S.
John Adams was elected the first Vice President
of the U.S.
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The End