US GovernmentDecisions of the Constitutional

Convention1787

Welcome esteemed, scholarly delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

It is 1787 and in Independence Hall we are going to shape the future for the United States of

America

Answer each question the Founding Fathers faced with their solution.

• I hear a motion to continue?

• Do you second that?• All in favor?

What about the first Constitution- the Articles of Confederation? • The convention members decided to throw away

the Articles of Confederation (too weak) & start over.

• The delegates wanted a document that would properly govern America.

What type of central government does the United States need?

• A strong central government because the Articles of Confederation were too weak.

• The national government was granted the powers to tax, regulate foreign trade/ intrastate trade, coin & issue money, establish citizenship, protect copyrights, raise a military, create treaties, & make any laws necessary & proper (elastic clause.)

Does the U.S. need a leader?• Yes, called a President because the title King has a

negative connotation

• The President will enforce laws

• Will not become too powerful because he’ll be checked by other branches of gov’t & can be impeached (removed from office by a vote)

Who will make the laws?• The legislature, called Congress will make the laws.• Virginia Plan-Favored by large states:

2 houses and both will be based on state population• New Jersey Plan- Favored by small states:

1 house & all states have equal representation• Great compromise-2 house Congress:

Senate-Equal representation (2 per state)House of Representatives-Number of reps based on state population (larger states have more representatives)

Who will be counted?• Women & children count in the population, for

representation but can not vote.• Northern states did not want to count slaves in the

population because that would give the southern states more reps.

• Southern states wanted slaves to count in population, (more power) but not for taxes.

• 3/5 Compromise- Every 5 slaves will count as 3 people for population & taxes.

Who will choose the new government?• States decide who can vote:

▫ Most states decide white adult males• House of Representatives-elected by the people• Senate- elected by the state legislatures• President-voted by the people but chosen by

Electoral College:▫ Number of electors= Number of congressmen▫ Members of the state legislatures

Congressional

TicketOn the notecard:• Write one thing you learned todayOR•Write one question you have for me