The Constitutional Convention
Drafting a New Constitution
Franklin at Constitutional Convention
1787
Convention Begins
 Amending the Articles
 Delegates originally came to revise Articles of Confederation
 Eventually they abandoned the Articles and started fresh.
 All agreed on ideas of…
 Limited and representative government
 3 branches of government
 Limit certain state powers
 Create a stronger national government
Plans for Constitution
The Virginia Plan
• Drafted by James Madison (Father of Constitution)
• Plan based on 3 Principles
Strong Legislature with two chambers (bicameral)
1.



Lower chamber chosen by the people
Upper chamber chosen by the lower
Number of seats in Congress was based on Population
Strong National Executive
2.
•
Chosen by the legislature
National Judiciary
3.

Chosen by legislature
Plans for Constitution
New Jersey Plan
 Counter plan from smaller states
 Wanted to keep features of Articles
 Unicameral Congress
 1 vote per state
 Grow Congressional powers (tax, regulate trade)
 Weak Executive power
Connecticut Compromise
 Congress was at Gridlock over two plans
 Committee headed by Roger Sherman (Conn.) designed a
compromise.
Plan
1. House of Representatives – based on population
2. Senate – 2 members per state (equal representation)
Why would the Connecticut Compromise make larger
states and smaller states happy?
More Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
 1/3 of population of South
was enslaved African
Americans
 South wanted slaves to count
in population, but not in taxes
 North wanted slaves to count
in taxes, but not population
 Settlement 3/5 of enslaved
persons counted for both
The Slavery Question
 Many Northern States
were beginning to outlaw
slavery
 Constitution did not
address slavery
 Delegates knew that
Southern States would not
accept constitution if it
interfered with slavery
Ratifying the Constitution
Federalists
 Support from cities and
coastal regions
 Argued need for strong
national government
 Federalist Papers
 80 essays to supports
 Promised a Bill of Rights
Anti-Federalists
 Support from inland
farmers and laborers
 Wanted a Bill of Rights