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The Constitutional Convention

This text discusses the Constitutional Convention, where national leaders gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation but ultimately decided to create a new government instead. It explores the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, the Great Compromise, and debates over slavery, leading to the finalization of the Constitution.

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The Constitutional Convention

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  1. The Constitutional Convention 7-2

  2. The Constitutional Convention Begins • Shays Rebellion and other weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation worried national leaders. • They agreed to meet in Philadelphia to revise the Articles. • Soon delegates decided that revising the Articles would not be enough. • A new Government would be created.

  3. The Delegates • 55 men from 12 states. Rhode Island did not participate. • Washington was voted president of the Convention. • Debates occurred in absolute secret.

  4. Independence Hall. Philadelphia PA.

  5. Inside Independence Hall.

  6. The Virginia Plan • The Plan called for three branches of government. • A Legislative Branch- Would make laws. This is called Congress • An Executive Branch- This branch would enforce, execute, or carry out laws. This is headed by the President. • A Judicial Branch- Interprets laws. Federal Courts and the Supreme Court.

  7. The Virginia Plan • Authored by James Madison • Presented by Edmund Randolph. • Wanted a two-house legislature. • Representation would be based on population in both Houses. • One house would be elected by the people (lower house) ; members of the other house(upper house) would be chosen by state legislatures.

  8. The New Jersey Plan • Supported by smaller states that did not like the VA Plan. • Presented by William Paterson • Wanted a one house legislature. • All states would have one vote. • Members of the Congress would be elected by state legislatures.

  9. James Madison authored most of the VA Plan. Edmund Randolph presented the VA Plan.

  10. William Paterson. Presented the New Jersey Plan of government.

  11. A Need for Compromise • Compromise-is an agreement in which each side gives up part of what it wants. • Roger Sherman from Connecticut will create a compromise plan. His plan was narrowly accepted on July 16,1787. • This plan becomes known as the Great Compromise

  12. The House of Representatives. (Lower House) Representation was based on population. Elected by the people. (Direct Election) The Senate. (Upper House) Representation was equal at 2. Chosen by State Legislatures. The Great Compromise

  13. Roger Sherman. CT • Roger Sherman • Authored the Great Compromise. Some times called the Connecticut Plan

  14. Debates Over Slavery • The Three-Fifths compromise. • Southerners wanted slaves to be counted on the census and to be counted in calculating apportionment. • Northerners opposed this idea because Slaves could not vote.

  15. Debates Over Slavery • Congress agreed that three out of five slaves could be counted as population. • The constitution helped preserve slavery in this way. • Slave Trade- Congress could ban the importation of slaves after1808.

  16. A New Constitution • Committee of Style was chosen to finalize the wording of the Constitution. • Gouverneur Morris was responsible for writing the Preamble. • “We the people…” states that the U.S. government gets it power from the people, not states.

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