Constitutional Convention
Purpose of the Constitutional
Convention
ArticlesofofConfederation
Confederation
Articles
The goal was
to revise the
Articles of
Confederation
. It was
quickly
decided to
replace it.
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.
Virginia Plan
Proposed by big states
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral (2 Houses)
Elected by
the people
Based on
Population
Elected by the
1st house
# of Congressmen determined by state population
New Jersey Plan
Supported by smaller states
Lawmaking body:
Unicameral (1 House)
Based on
Equality
Each state would
have the same
number of
Representatives or
votes
The Great
ThisCompromise
was a combination of both plans…
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)
House of
Representatives
# of reps. would depend
on populations
Senate
Each state gets 2
representatives
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.
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
Separation of
( How the Government
Powers
will be organized )
3 Branches
Legislative
House of
Reps.
Senate
Executive
Judicial
President
Court System
Carries out laws
Interpret the laws
=
Congress Makes Laws
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
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
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
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!!
George Washington was
elected the first President
of the U.S.
John Adams was elected
the first Vice President of
the U.S.
The End