A Push for a ChangeThe Constitution

Independence Hall (Philadelphia, 1787) 55 Delegates

◦ Goal: To Improve our National Government Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, George

Washington

The Constitutional Convention

WHO WOULD YOU SEND???????? WHY?

Delegates of the Convention

Slavery Issues Economic Issues State Representatives

What separated the delegates?

STRONG NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

STATE GOVERNMENT

VS

“The Large State Plan” Strong National Government Judicial, Executive, Legislative branches

◦Legislative = Bi-cameral

◦Representatives: Selected based on State population Why would a small state be against this?

The Virginia Plan

“The Small State Plan” Keeping the structure the same.

◦Unicameral system◦State Rep: Equal votes in congress

Additions to be made:◦ Power to tax citizens◦ Regulate commerce

The New Jersey Plan

The Great Compromise◦ Upper House: Each state, regardless of size,

equal vote◦ Lower House: Based on population.

The Great Compromise

3/5 Compromise◦ Each slave would be counted as three fifths of a

person when determining representation.

Slave Trade◦ The national government

would wait 20 years before seeking to end the slave trade. Conflict:

Northern States vs. Southern States

Issues with Slavery

THE CONSTITUTION

Goal: Describe how the federal

government is balanced under the U.S. Constitution

Popular Sovereignty: the idea that political authority belongs to the people.

Federalism: the sharing of power between a central government and the states that make up a country. ◦ Marble Cake

The swirl of the two colors

Our Living Constitution

“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”

Our Living ConstitutionARTICLE VI:

“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”

Our Living ConstitutionARTICLE VI:

Sharing Power: National & States

NATIONAL GOVERNMENTLAWS AND POWERS GIVEN BY THE US CONSTITUTION

(THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

State Governments(OHIO)

Local GovernmentsCUYAHOGA FALLS

Legislative Branch: Congress: Responsible for proposing and passing laws.◦ Upper House: 2 Representatives for each state◦ Lower House: Representatives determined by

state population

Branches of Government

Executive Branch: ◦ The president and departments that help run the

country.◦ Make sure the laws are carried out.

Branches of Government

Judicial Branch: (All National Courts):◦ Responsible for interpreting laws, punishing

criminals, and settling disputes between states.

Branches of Government

Checks and Balances: to keep any branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Debates lasted 16 weeks.

FINALIZE THE DOCUMENT

September1787