The Convention in Philadelphia

Articles of Confederation

Very weak plan that gave more power to the states than to the national government

Articles of Confederation

Very weak plan that gave more power to the states than to the national government

Caused a conflict between various states over issues concerning taxes, currency, trade, and courts

Articles of Confederation

Very weak plan that gave more power to the states than to the national government

Caused a conflict between various states over issues concerning taxes, currency, trade, and courts

In general, this confederacy was doomed to fail, and split the U.S. apart

The Convention in Philadelphia 12 of the 13 colonies sent 55 reps to

the convention (Rhode Island did not attend, did not want a strong national gov’t)

The Convention in Philadelphia 12 of the 13 colonies sent 55 reps to

the convention (Rhode Island did not attend, did not want a strong national gov’t)

The average age was 42 years old, 36 were lawyers, 6 farmers

Thomas Jefferson called them “an assembly of demigods”

The Convention in Philadelphia 12 of the 13 colonies sent 55 reps to

the convention (Rhode Island did not attend)

The average age was 42 years old, 36 were lawyers, 6 farmers

Jefferson called them “an assembly of demigods” They were all well educated in ancient

and modern forms of government

The Convention in Philadelphia Gathered in the sweltering heat from

May 25th to Sept. 17th, meeting 89 of the 116 days

The Convention in Philadelphia Gathered in the sweltering heat from

May 25th to Sept. 17th, meeting 89 of the 116 days

Agreed to keep the windows shut for the purpose of secrecy

The Plans

The Virginia Plan was primarily authored by James Madison and the reps from VA

                                                          

“The Father of the Constitution”

The Plans

The Virginia Plan was primarily authored by James Madison and the reps from VA Called for three separate branches of

government

The Plans

The Virginia Plan was primarily authored by James Madison and the reps from VA Called for three separate branches of

government Members of congress should be elected

by the people, and their number should be based upon the population of that state

The Plans

The Virginia Plan was primarily authored by James Madison and the reps from VA Called for three separate branches of

government Members of congress should be elected

by the people, and their number should be based upon the population of that state

This plan was supportive of a very strong national government

The Plans

The New Jersey Plan was fearful of the VA plan b/c it gave more power to the larger states

The Plans

The New Jersey Plan was fearful of the VA plan b/c it gave more power to the larger states Wanted a plan that had members of

congress elected by state legislatures, and based upon equal representation

The Plans

The New Jersey Plan was fearful of the VA plan b/c it gave more power to the larger states Wanted a plan that had members of

congress elected by state legislatures, and based upon equal representation

This debate raged feverously, causing Ben Franklin to ask for prayer before each meeting

“The Bundle of Compromises” Because of the great differences in

opinions, and the different points of view on how to create our new government, much of the constitution is a series of compromises

“The Bundle of Compromises” Because of the great differences in

opinions, and the different points of view on how to create our new government, much of the constitution is a series of compromises However, there were certain issues to

which all agreed (Representative gov’t, separation of powers)

“The Bundle of Compromises” The Great Compromise (Connecticut

Compromise) was proposed by Roger Sherman in which he created two house of Congress (bicameral)

“The Bundle of Compromises” The Great Compromise (Connecticut

Compromise) was proposed by Roger Sherman in which he created two house of Congress (bicameral) House of Reps based on population and

elected by the people

“The Bundle of Compromises” The Great Compromise (Connecticut

Compromise) was proposed by Roger Sherman in which he created two house of Congress (bicameral) House of Reps based on population and

elected by the people Senate with equal numbers and elected

by state legislatures

“The Bundle of Compromises” 3/5 Compromise allowed slaves to be

counted as 3/5 of a person for representation in the House

“The Bundle of Compromises” 3/5 Compromise allowed slaves to be

counted as 3/5 of a person for representation in the House

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise made it illegal for Congress to tax exports, and they could not ban slave trade for 20 years

The Signing of The Constitution