Constitutional Convention-Creating the

Constitution

American Government

Purpose of the Constitutional Convention

The goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation . It was quickly decided to replace it.

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

Philadelphia

•53 Delegates met in absolute secrecy in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787.

•They met in Indepedence Hall.

•On average their were about 30 delegates there every day.

• James Madison was the only delegate to never miss a day.

Virginia PlanProposed by big states

Lawmaking body:

Bicameral (2 Houses)

Elected by the people

Elected by the 1st house

# of Congressmen determined by state population

Based on Population

New Jersey PlanSupported by smaller states

Lawmaking body:

Unicameral (1 House)

Based on Equality

Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes

The Great CompromiseThis was a combination of both plans…

Lawmaking body:

Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)

House of Representatives

Senate

# of reps. would depend on populations

Each state gets 2 representatives

Slavery• Slavery became an issue

with population. In the south, slavery made up 1/3 of the population

• The south wanted them to count in their population so they would have more votes. Slaves however could not vote.

3/5 Compromise• They decided to count

3/5 of the total number of slaves as population.

• 5 blacks = 3 whites.

Slaves still could not vote

Separation of Powers( How the Government will be organized )

Legislative Executive Judicial

3 Branches

House of Reps.

Senate

=

Congress Makes Laws

President Court System

Carries out laws Interpret the laws

AmendmentsBefore any of the states would sign the Constitution, the delegates wanted a way to amend the Constitution in order for it to grow with the times and the country.

Bill of Rights

1st Amendment

2nd Amendment

3rd Amendment

Signing the Constitution

39 delegates signed

before leaving

Philadelphia. Each

state planned to have

its own convention to

vote on the adoption.

Nine states were needed to ratify.

December 7, 1787

Federalists vs. Anti Federalists

... Let the Battle Begin...

Federalists: Supporters of the New ConstitutionGeorge Washington

Ben Franklin

James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

John Jay

Anti Federalists: Opposed ratification of the new Constitution

1. Would take away liberties

2. Create a strong central government

3. Ignore the will of the people

4. Favor the wealthy

**Wanted the gov. close to the people

Thomas PainePatrick Henry

Ratification

The four remaining states signed by May of 1790!

June 21, 1788New Hampshire, the 9th state signed the constitution putting into effect the new government. There were still states that had not ratified. This threatened the outcome of the new Gov.

Go USA!!

George Washington was elected the first President of the U.S.

John Adams was elected the first Vice President of the U.S.