The Constitutional The Constitutional ConventionConvention

Chapter 5-1Chapter 5-1CivicsCivics

September 27, 2010September 27, 2010

WARNING: Extra WARNING: Extra facts may appear facts may appear at any time with at any time with

music.music.

Agreement and Agreement and DisagreementDisagreement

Many delegates agreed that a national Many delegates agreed that a national government was needed.government was needed.

Agreed with idea of separation of powers, Agreed with idea of separation of powers, and wanted to divide power between states and wanted to divide power between states and national government.and national government.

Sharply disagreed on issues such as how Sharply disagreed on issues such as how many representatives should each state many representatives should each state have? How much power should the have? How much power should the government be given?government be given?

Getting OrganizedGetting OrganizedConstitutional Convention- Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention- Pennsylvania State House on May 25, 1787.State House on May 25, 1787.

George Washington- selected as presiding George Washington- selected as presiding officer by unanimous vote.officer by unanimous vote.

Delegates agreed that the discussions Delegates agreed that the discussions would be kept secret over the fear of press would be kept secret over the fear of press releases.releases.

This would lead to delegates changing This would lead to delegates changing their minds based on public opinion.their minds based on public opinion.

Madison’s PlanMadison’s PlanDelegates voted not to revise the Articles.Delegates voted not to revise the Articles.

James Madison proposed a strong national James Madison proposed a strong national government with an executive, judicial, and government with an executive, judicial, and legislative branch. The legislative branch legislative branch. The legislative branch would have 2 parts; The House and the would have 2 parts; The House and the Senate.Senate.

This was known as the Virginia PlanThis was known as the Virginia Plan

Many delegates feared that this plan would Many delegates feared that this plan would cause an overly strong national government, cause an overly strong national government, taking away powers from the state taking away powers from the state legislatures.legislatures.

EXTRA FACT: EXTRA FACT: James Madison James Madison was nickname was nickname

was the “Father was the “Father of the of the

Constitution”.Constitution”.

Sharing PowerSharing PowerThe delegates debated on how the power The delegates debated on how the power would be shared between the national would be shared between the national government and the states.government and the states.

One issue was the slave trade.One issue was the slave trade.

Northern States- wanted the government to Northern States- wanted the government to regulate trade and abolish slavery.regulate trade and abolish slavery.

Southern States- Opposed the idea of Southern States- Opposed the idea of abolishing slavery because their abolishing slavery because their plantations depended on it. plantations depended on it.

The Great The Great CompromiseCompromise

Roger Sherman- called for a Roger Sherman- called for a bicameralbicameral (2 (2 house) government.house) government.

House of Representatives- elected on basis of House of Representatives- elected on basis of state population. state population.

Senate- 2 senators each regardless of Senate- 2 senators each regardless of population.population.

This plan was known as the This plan was known as the Great CompromiseGreat Compromise because each side gave up part of what it because each side gave up part of what it wanted in order to benefit all. wanted in order to benefit all.

Though no one was satisfied it was approved. Though no one was satisfied it was approved.

Ensuring FairnessEnsuring FairnessThe Great Compromise did not settle the issue The Great Compromise did not settle the issue of how to count state populations.of how to count state populations.

Southern States- wanted to count slaves as Southern States- wanted to count slaves as whole peoplewhole people

Northern States- objected because then the Northern States- objected because then the southern states would have more power in the southern states would have more power in the House of Representatives.House of Representatives.

The The Three-Fifths CompromiseThree-Fifths Compromise- counted each - counted each slave as 3/5 of a person when a state’s slave as 3/5 of a person when a state’s population was calculated population was calculated

EXTRA FACT: The EXTRA FACT: The Constitutional Constitutional

Convention itself Convention itself lasted 4 months lasted 4 months

and the and the discussion lasted discussion lasted

17 weeks.17 weeks.

Branches and Branches and VotingVoting

One president should be given executive One president should be given executive power and broadly defined his duties.power and broadly defined his duties.

In the judicial branch they created a In the judicial branch they created a Supreme Court to interpret laws and settle Supreme Court to interpret laws and settle conflicts between states.conflicts between states.

All eligible citizens (white men with All eligible citizens (white men with property) would elect members of the property) would elect members of the House.House.

State legislatures would elect senatorsState legislatures would elect senators

A group of electors (the Electoral College) A group of electors (the Electoral College) would select the president.would select the president.

The SigningThe SigningThe Constitution was put in its final form. The Constitution was put in its final form.

The convention closed with 39 delegates The convention closed with 39 delegates signing it on September 17, 1787.signing it on September 17, 1787.

Those 39 were called “the Framers” because Those 39 were called “the Framers” because the shaped the form of our government.the shaped the form of our government.

The government we use today is based of the The government we use today is based of the one they made over 200 years agoone they made over 200 years ago

QUICK QUIZ:QUICK QUIZ:What was James Madison’s nickname?What was James Madison’s nickname?

What does bicameral mean?What does bicameral mean?

What caused the three-fifths What caused the three-fifths compromise? (Hint: Northern and compromise? (Hint: Northern and Southern…….)Southern…….)

Who elects senators?Who elects senators?

Who elects the president?Who elects the president?

THAT CONCLUDES THAT CONCLUDES MY MY

PRESENTATION!PRESENTATION!