CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

• Meets in Philadelphia from May to September of 1787.• President of the Convention- George Washington.• Architect of the Constitution- James Madison.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONThe Virginia Plan-

Designed a government with a president, courts, and a bicameral legislature.

Representation is each house of Congress would be based on population.

Appealed to the larger states with higher populations.

The New Jersey Plan-Called for a unicameral

legislature with equal representation for all states.

Appealed to smaller states with lower populations.

The Great Compromise-Also called the

Connecticut Compromise because it was created by Roger Sherman.

Set up a 2 house (bicameral) legislature.

The House of Representatives- based on population.

The Senate- Equal representation for all states.

OTHER COMPROMISES

The Three-Fifths Compromise South wanted to count slaves as part of their population.The North said that slaves should not be counted

because they are property.The compromise stated that 3/5 of the slave population

would be counted in each state.

The Electoral CollegeA compromise between popular vote and congressional

appointment.Established a group of people picked by each state

legislature who would select the president and vice president.

RATIFICATIONFederalists:

Supported the Constitution.Example: Alexander HamiltonShowed their support for federalism power is divided

between a national gov’t and state gov’ts.Mainly large landowners who wanted a strong federal

gov’t.

Anti-Federalists:Opposed the Constitution.Example: Thomas JeffersonBelieved it would create a strong federal gov’t that would

take rights away from the states and people.

Compromise:A Bill of Rights was added.All 13 states ratified it by 1790.

CHAPTER 3 SECTION 3

STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTIONPreamble-

Introduction that states the goals and purposes of the gov’t.

Article 1-Outlines the powers and structure of the legislative

branch (Congress.)

Article 2- Creates and lists the powers of the executive branch

headed by a president and vice president.

Article 3-Establishes the judicial branch of gov’t consisting of a

Supreme Court and other lower courts.

Article 4-Explains the relationship between the national gov’t and

the states.Contains Extradition Clause and Full Faith and

Credit Clause.Says that the National Gov’t will protect the states from

invasion.

Article 5-Explains how the Constitution can be amended

(changed.)

Article 6 (Supremacy Clause)-Declares the Constitution to be the “supreme law of the

land.”National law is always superior to state law.

Article 7-Explains how the Constitution was to be ratified.

AMENDMENT PROCESS

Amendment- any change to the Constitution

Amendment ProcessProposal An amendment has to be proposed

by two-thirds of the Congress or two-thirds of the state legislatures.

Ratification Three- fourths of the states must ratify it.

CHAPTER 3 SECTION 4

5 PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENTPopular Sovereignty-

The idea that the power of the gov’t lies with the people.Gov’ts should draw their power “from the consent of the

governed.”The people’s will is most strongly expressed through

elections.

Rule of LawThe idea that the law applies to everyone, even those

who govern.The gov’t should be strong, but not too strong.

Separation of PowersThe idea of dividing the

gov’t into 3 separate branches with 3 separate functions.

Supported by Montesquieu.

Checks and BalancesEach branch of gov’t is

allowed to check or limit the power of another so one branch does not get too powerful.

FEDERALISM

Federalism- Power is divided between the national gov’t and the state gov’t.

Expressed Powers-Powers specifically granted to the national gov’t.Sometimes called enumerated powers.Examples Coin money, declare war

Reserved Powers-Powers given to the states.Examples conduct elections, establish local gov’ts

Concurrent Powers-Powers given to both the national and state gov’ts.Examples collect taxes, set up courts

CLAUSES OF IMPORTANCE

Supremacy Clause-The Constitution and other laws made by the federal

gov’t is “the supreme Law of the Land.”

Necessary and Proper Clause-Allows Congress to exercise powers not specifically

written in the Constitution.These powers are known as implied powers.