The Convention-May 1787-Sept. The Convention-May 1787-Sept. 17871787

All states except for Rhode IslandAll states except for Rhode Island 55 delegates55 delegates

WhiteWhite MenMen RichRich Well educatedWell educated

Famous attendeesFamous attendees Washington—elected president of Washington—elected president of

convention convention

Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton

Those who did not attendThose who did not attend Patrick Henry—”I smell a rat”Patrick Henry—”I smell a rat” Sam AdamsSam Adams John AdamsJohn Adams Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson

Virginia Plan (large state) Edmund Virginia Plan (large state) Edmund Randolph Randolph

Bicameral—representation in both houses based on population

Upper house elected by Legislature chose executive and

judiciary

Did not include specific powers to tax or regulate trade

Executive—veto over legislation and serve 1 seven year term, not eligible for reelection

Judiciary to serve during “good behaviorRatification by state conventions

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey PlanWilliam PatersonWilliam Paterson

Unicameral CongressUnicameral Congress power to levy import dutiespower to levy import duties to regulate trade, to regulate trade, Each state, one voteEach state, one vote Legislature to elect a plural executive, to serve Legislature to elect a plural executive, to serve

one fixed termone fixed term

Executive to:Executive to:• carry out laws, carry out laws, •direct military operations direct military operations • appoint executive officersappoint executive officers•Executive to appoint federal Executive to appoint federal judiciaryjudiciary•Judges hold office during Judges hold office during good behaviorgood behavior

Hamilton’s PlanHamilton’s PlanHamilton suggestedHamilton suggested 3 branches3 branches Bicameral leg., with nearly Bicameral leg., with nearly

exclusive sovereignty with exclusive sovereignty with power to legislate on power to legislate on behalf of statesbehalf of states

Assemble elected by Assemble elected by people for 3 year termspeople for 3 year terms

Senate, chosen by electors Senate, chosen by electors from states, and serve from states, and serve during “good behavior”during “good behavior”

Executive would be elected by Executive would be elected by electors and would serve for lifeelectors and would serve for life

Executive appoint state governors—Executive appoint state governors—they would have veto power over they would have veto power over state legislationstate legislation

Judges hold office during “good Judges hold office during “good behavior”behavior”

Debated for hoursDebated for hours Never voted onNever voted on

Great CompromiseGreat Compromise Great Compromise—Roger Great Compromise—Roger

Sherman, CTSherman, CT Bicameral legislatureBicameral legislature

House of Representation House of Representation elected by the people on elected by the people on the basis of proportional the basis of proportional representationrepresentation

Senate equal for all states. Senate equal for all states. Each state legislature would Each state legislature would select 2 senatorsselect 2 senators

House have power to tax and spendHouse have power to tax and spend

Executive: Elected by electors , each state Executive: Elected by electors , each state havehave number equal to its # of rep. and number equal to its # of rep. and Senators; method of selecting electors left Senators; method of selecting electors left up to the statesup to the states The person with the highest # of electoral The person with the highest # of electoral votes would be President; 2votes would be President; 2ndnd highest V.P. highest V.P.1796—election problems1796—election problems1800—once again, election problems1800—once again, election problems1212thth Amendment—1804—provided for Amendment—1804—provided for “ticket”“ticket”

Judiciary –separate branch—serve for life; impeach if necessary; # to be decided by leg.

Passed by a single vote Yes: CT, NJ, DE, MD and NC

No: PA, VA, SC, GADivided MA

3/5’s Compromise3/5’s Compromise So. Slaves wanted all slaves counted So. Slaves wanted all slaves counted

for representation/ No. states wanted for representation/ No. states wanted none countednone counted

No. states wanted all slaves counted for No. states wanted all slaves counted for taxation purposes/So. Wanted none taxation purposes/So. Wanted none counted for this purposecounted for this purpose

Compromise: 3/5s would count for Compromise: 3/5s would count for both representation and direct taxes both representation and direct taxes (taxes owed to the Federal gov’t by the (taxes owed to the Federal gov’t by the states)states)

There were be a periodic CENSUSThere were be a periodic CENSUS

Congress given power to regulate Congress given power to regulate foreign tradeforeign trade

South afraid this would allow South afraid this would allow Congress to eliminate slaveryCongress to eliminate slaveryCompromise was to give Compromise was to give Congress power to regulate trade, Congress power to regulate trade, but Congress could not interfere but Congress could not interfere with slave trade for at least 20 with slave trade for at least 20 yearsyearsGood idea??????Good idea??????