The Constitutional Convention

1. The Constitutional Convention

2. The Convention • 55 delegates, half with college education, all white males • Washington chosen as president of convention • Meetings were kept closed and secretive • Each state had one vote, majority won • James Madison– researched law and government, “Father of Constitution”

3. Virginia Plan • Edmund Randolph proposes Virginia Plan, large states like it • 1. 2 house legislature– bicameral • 2. Chief executive and court system • 3. both houses based on states population, more people=more votes

4. New Jersey Plan • William Patterson proposes NJ Plan, small states like it • 1. One house legislature- unicameral, with equal votes for all states • 2. based on The Articles but with more powers– tax and trade

5. Compromise • Delegates chose VA plan but with change in representation • Roger Sherman comes up with the Great Compromise: • 1. Upper House (Senate)– each state has 2 votes • 2. Lower House (House of Reps)– based on states’ population

6. Slavery? Oh yeah… • 3/5’s Compromise– slaves count as 3/5 of a person (5 slaves equal 3 people) • Northern states want slavery banned • Compromise to get southern states to sign is to ignore the issue for 20 years