CHAPTER 5 SECTION 1The Constitutional Convention

Agreement and Disagreement

Agree- need national government- guard against abuse of power (separation of power)- limit government powers (state and national)

Disagree- number of representatives for each state- power of national government

Getting Organizedpage 113

Constitutional Convention (May 25th 1787)- PA State House (Philadelphia)- presiding officer- George Washington

Setting the Rules

Getting Organized

Other Rules- each state had one vote- no whispering, passing notes, or reading while a delegate was speaking

*How did the delegate’s rules provide the freedom to explore ideas?

Madison’s Plan (Virginia Plan)Page 114

Madison’s Plan- James Madison (Virginia)- strong national government

- with separation of powers- Legislature – House of Representative

- people elect directly - seats based on population Senate - House would choose - seats based on population

*What did many delegates fear would happen with this plan?

Reaching Compromise

The VA and NJ Plans- How many representatives would each state have in their legislature?- Virginia- state’s population- Problem: larger states would out-vote them- New Jersey - William Paterson (N.J.) - one-house legislature - each state have equal number of voters

Reaching CompromisePage 116

The Great Compromise- Roger Sherman (Connecticut)- Bicameral Legislature

- House of Representatives: elected based on population

- Senate: each state would have two senators (regardless of population)

*How does this ensure fairness?

The Three-Fifths CompromisePage 117

*What was the purpose of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Executive and Judicial Branchespage 117

Executive Power- given to one President- enforce laws

Judicial Power- given to Supreme Court- interpret laws

*What was the argument made in regards to electing a President?

Executive and Judicial Branches

Voting and Elections- Caucasian men (land owners) vote on House of Representatives- state legislatures select senators- electoral college selects President

*each state legislature determines how state electors are chosen

The Signing

September 17th 1787- 39 delegates signed the Constitution