The Constitutional Convention Section 7.2

1. The Constitutional Convention Section 7.2 Section Overview The Constitutional Convention of 1787 Compromise on Congress The House & Senate Compromise on Slavery Ratification A Summer in Philadelphia

2. The Constitutional Convention • Purpose: • Revise the Articles of Confederation • Meets in Philadelphia • May - September 1787 • 55 delegates • 12 states – no Rhode Island delegates Independence Hall: Philadelphia

3. The Constitutional Convention #2 • Who’s Who of American politics • Oldest: Ben Franklin – 81 years – well respected • Youngest: James Madison well read in history, politics and commerce • Alexander Hamilton – keen insight on money & commerce - strong national government • Washington elected “president” of the convention Benjamin Franklin, 81 y.o. in 1787

4. The Constitutional Convention #3 • Jefferson is not there • Talks are kept secret – no newspaperman • Many disagreements • large & small states • State vs. National • Status of slavery • Decide Articles cannot be revised • Will write a new Constitution 1856 painting “Washington as Statesman”

5. Two Plans & the “Great Compromise” Virginia Plan • Virginia Plan • Favored by “large”– populous states • 3 branches – legislative, executive, judicial – everyone agrees on this • 2 house legislature • based on population The state of Virginia was one of the largest in 1787

6. Two Plans & the “Great Compromise” #2 New Jersey Plan • New Jersey Plan • Favored by small state • 3 branches • One house legislature –Equal representation • Each state has an equal say • Similar to Articles Author of the New Jersey Plan William Paterson

7. Two Plans & the “Great Compromise” #3 Great Compromise • Sometimes called the Connecticut Plan • Roger Sherman – from New Milford, CT • On committee that wrote the Declaration • Two houses • one based on state’s population • one equal representation Statue of Roger Sherman State House in Hartford

8. House of Representatives • Based on a state’s population • Higher population means more representatives • Representatives are elected for two year terms • Considered the “lower” of the two houses of Congress U.S. House of Representatives

9. U.S. Senate • The “upper” of the two houses of Congress • Each state gets two senators • Benefits states with lower populations • Senators are elected for 6 year terms • Originally elected by state legislatures • Now elected by the people U.S. Senate Chamber

10. Compromises on Slavery • Disagreements between North & South • 3/5s Compromise • Slave states want to count slave populations • Increase power in House of Representatives • 3/5s of slaves will count towards representation

11. Compromises on Slavery #2 • Two Compromises • 1) Revolved around “Atlantic Slave Trade” • Slaves transported from Africa to the Americas • Brutal passage that hardly anyone thought was ethical • After 20 years - Congress may end transatlantic trade • 2) Fugitive slave clause written into the Constitution

12. Signing & Ratification • 39 of 42 delegates sign Constitution • Goes to states for Ratification • States will hold conventions • 9 of 13 states must approve for it to go into effect First state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware