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Constitutional Convention. 1787. Convention was the idea of James Madison The support of George Washington was important. 55 delegates met in Philadelphia. Articles of Confederation -Weaknesses. Created a weak central government. Congress with limited power.
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Convention was the idea of James Madison • The support of George Washington was important. • 55 delegates met in Philadelphia.
Articles of Confederation -Weaknesses • Created a weak central government. • Congress with limited power. • Independent states held most of the power.
Issue: Representation LARGER STATES SMALLER STATES
Issue: Representation • Larger States supported: • Virginia Plan • Proposed by James Madison and Edmund Randolph.
Virginia Plan • Proposed the creation of three branches of government: • Legislative • Executive • Judicial
Virginia Plan • The number of representatives would be determined by the population of each state. • Larger states would have more votes = more power.
New Jersey Plan • Smaller states supported: • New Jersey Plan • Proposed by William Paterson
New Jersey Plan • Proposed the creation of one branch: • Congress would have more power. • Each state would receive one vote.
Connecticut Compromise“The Great Compromise” • Proposed by Roger Sherman from Connecticut. • Two House Legislature: - The House of Representatives -Representatives determined by population. - The Senate -Each state would receive equal votes - Two votes per state.
Issue: Slavery Northern States Southern States
Southern States • Southern States wanted slaves to count in terms of representation. • Southern states did not want slaves to count for taxes.
Northern States • Northern states wanted slaves to count for taxation. • Northern states did not want slaves to count for representation.
3/5 Compromise • Slaves were considered property. • 3 out of every 5 slaves would count for taxation and representation.
What is missing from the Constitution? The Constitution is missing the _________ ____ __________.
The Anti-Federalist • George Mason, Patrick Henry, and Samuel Adams refused to ratify the Constitution. • They refused to pass a Constitution without a Bill of Rights. • They feared the government would become too powerful.
The Anti-Federalists • The Antifederalists wrote a series of essays known as the Anti-Federalists Papers. • The essays supported the idea that a strong central government could become tyrannical.
The Federalist • James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton supported a Constitution without a Bill of Rights. • They felt it was more important to have a strong central government. • They believed in dividing the powers between the branches and the states.
The Federalist Papers • The Federalists also wrote a series of essays known as the “Federalists Papers.” • The essays supported the idea of a strong central government.
Compromise • A compromise was reached between Federalists and Anti-federalists. • The Constitution was ratified on Sept. 17, 1787. • The Bill of Rights was added in 1791.