issues of the constitutional convention philadelphia, 1787 issues of the constitutional convention...

Issues of the Constitutional Issues of the Constitutional ConventionConvention

Philadelphia, 1787Philadelphia, 1787



The following slides correspond to The following slides correspond to parts parts II, III, and IV of your Character Viewpoint II, III, and IV of your Character Viewpoint AnalysisAnalysis. Each slide has some . Each slide has some information about the creation of the three information about the creation of the three branches of government. There are also branches of government. There are also basic arguments to help you generate basic arguments to help you generate ideas for the Constitutional Convention.ideas for the Constitutional Convention.

The following slides correspond to The following slides correspond to parts parts II, III, and IV of your Character Viewpoint II, III, and IV of your Character Viewpoint AnalysisAnalysis. Each slide has some . Each slide has some information about the creation of the three information about the creation of the three branches of government. There are also branches of government. There are also basic arguments to help you generate basic arguments to help you generate ideas for the Constitutional Convention.ideas for the Constitutional Convention.

The Legislative Branch of government is The Legislative Branch of government is the body of elected representatives that the body of elected representatives that makes laws.makes laws.

The Legislative Branch of government is The Legislative Branch of government is the body of elected representatives that the body of elected representatives that makes laws.makes laws.

II A(1).II A(1). One or two houses? One or two houses?II A(1).II A(1). One or two houses? One or two houses?

one house (unicameral)one house (unicameral)one house (unicameral)one house (unicameral)

oneone law-making body that meets as law-making body that meets as oneone group grouponeone law-making body that meets as law-making body that meets as oneone group group

efficient and not as efficient and not as time-consumingtime-consuming

efficient and not as efficient and not as time-consumingtime-consuming

easier to pass lawseasier to pass lawseasier to pass lawseasier to pass laws

=

two houses (bicameral) two houses (bicameral) two houses (bicameral) two houses (bicameral)

oneone law-making body that meets as law-making body that meets as twotwo groupsgroupsoneone law-making body that meets as law-making body that meets as twotwo groupsgroups

allows for more people in the allows for more people in the governmentgovernment

allows for more people in the allows for more people in the governmentgovernment

one group can “check” the otherone group can “check” the otherone group can “check” the otherone group can “check” the other

=

II A(2).II A(2). What should be the basis of What should be the basis of representation?representation?

II A(2).II A(2). What should be the basis of What should be the basis of representation?representation?

equal representation-equal representation- each state has the each state has the same number of representativessame number of representativesequal representation-equal representation- each state has the each state has the same number of representativessame number of representatives

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey PlanNew Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

favored by smaller statesfavored by smaller statesfavored by smaller statesfavored by smaller states

small states would have small states would have power equal to large statespower equal to large states

small states would have small states would have power equal to large statespower equal to large states

representation based on population-representation based on population- the the number of representatives is based on a number of representatives is based on a state’s populationstate’s population

representation based on population-representation based on population- the the number of representatives is based on a number of representatives is based on a state’s populationstate’s population

Virginia PlanVirginia PlanVirginia PlanVirginia Plan

larger states would get larger states would get more power, but they also more power, but they also have more peoplehave more people

larger states would get larger states would get more power, but they also more power, but they also have more peoplehave more people

favored by larger statesfavored by larger statesfavored by larger statesfavored by larger states

II B(1).II B(1). Should slaves be counted as Should slaves be counted as population?population?

II B(1).II B(1). Should slaves be counted as Should slaves be counted as population?population?

Southern viewSouthern viewSouthern viewSouthern view

Northern viewNorthern viewNorthern viewNorthern view

Yes.Yes. This means Southern states would This means Southern states would increase their population and thus would increase their population and thus would have more representatives in the have more representatives in the legislature.legislature.

Yes.Yes. This means Southern states would This means Southern states would increase their population and thus would increase their population and thus would have more representatives in the have more representatives in the legislature.legislature.

No.No. Northerners do not want the Southern Northerners do not want the Southern states to have more representatives.states to have more representatives.No.No. Northerners do not want the Southern Northerners do not want the Southern states to have more representatives.states to have more representatives.

II B(2).II B(2). Should slaves be counted for Should slaves be counted for taxation purposes?taxation purposes?

II B(2).II B(2). Should slaves be counted for Should slaves be counted for taxation purposes?taxation purposes?



No.No. They do not want to pay a property They do not want to pay a property tax on their slaves.tax on their slaves.No.No. They do not want to pay a property They do not want to pay a property tax on their slaves.tax on their slaves.

Yes.Yes. If the South considers slaves If the South considers slaves property, then they should pay taxes on property, then they should pay taxes on their slaves as they would other taxable their slaves as they would other taxable property.property.

Yes.Yes. If the South considers slaves If the South considers slaves property, then they should pay taxes on property, then they should pay taxes on their slaves as they would other taxable their slaves as they would other taxable property.property.

II C.II C. Who should regulate commerce Who should regulate commerce (trade)?(trade)?

II C.II C. Who should regulate commerce Who should regulate commerce (trade)?(trade)?



The The statesstates should. They feared the should. They feared the national government would begin taxing national government would begin taxing their export crops and trying to interfere their export crops and trying to interfere with the slave trade.with the slave trade.

The The statesstates should. They feared the should. They feared the national government would begin taxing national government would begin taxing their export crops and trying to interfere their export crops and trying to interfere with the slave trade.with the slave trade.

The The national governmentnational government should have the should have the power to tax and use money to benefit the power to tax and use money to benefit the whole country.whole country.

The The national governmentnational government should have the should have the power to tax and use money to benefit the power to tax and use money to benefit the whole country.whole country.

II D.II D. Who should choose the legislature? Who should choose the legislature?II D.II D. Who should choose the legislature? Who should choose the legislature?

the people-the people- representatives representatives are supposed to represent the are supposed to represent the peoplepeople

the people-the people- representatives representatives are supposed to represent the are supposed to represent the peoplepeople

the state legislatures-the state legislatures- members of state governments members of state governments know about government, so know about government, so they would choose wiselythey would choose wisely


electors-electors- knowledgeable knowledgeable representatives from each representatives from each state choose the governmentstate choose the government

electors-electors- knowledgeable knowledgeable representatives from each representatives from each state choose the governmentstate choose the government

You may also have You may also have any combination of any combination of the mentioned the mentioned possibilities.possibilities.

You may also have You may also have any combination of any combination of the mentioned the mentioned possibilities.possibilities.

In the case of In the case of two houses, two houses, one house one house could elect the could elect the other.other.

In the case of In the case of two houses, two houses, one house one house could elect the could elect the other.other.

Note-Note- Many of the members of the Many of the members of the Constitutional Convention questioned the Constitutional Convention questioned the ability of the average person to make ability of the average person to make intelligent decisions, hence the options intelligent decisions, hence the options for government officials choosing the for government officials choosing the government.government.

Note-Note- Many of the members of the Many of the members of the Constitutional Convention questioned the Constitutional Convention questioned the ability of the average person to make ability of the average person to make intelligent decisions, hence the options intelligent decisions, hence the options for government officials choosing the for government officials choosing the government.government.

II E.II E. How many years should a term of How many years should a term of office be?office be?

II E.II E. How many years should a term of How many years should a term of office be?office be?

advantagesadvantagesadvantagesadvantages

short term (1-4 years)short term (1-4 years)short term (1-4 years)short term (1-4 years)

disadvantagesdisadvantagesdisadvantagesdisadvantages

more people in governmentmore people in government

easier to remove incompetent peopleeasier to remove incompetent people



less continuity, experienceless continuity, experience

takes time to get work donetakes time to get work done



long term (more than 4 years)long term (more than 4 years)long term (more than 4 years)long term (more than 4 years)



lawmakers gain experiencelawmakers gain experience

time to see programs throughtime to see programs through

not as much turnover in the governmentnot as much turnover in the government

lawmakers gain experiencelawmakers gain experience

time to see programs throughtime to see programs through

not as much turnover in the governmentnot as much turnover in the government

stuck with incompetent people longerstuck with incompetent people longer

people in government can get too people in government can get too powerfulpowerful



II F.II F. How many terms of office can be How many terms of office can be served?served?

II F.II F. How many terms of office can be How many terms of office can be served?served?

one termone termone termone term



no one gets too powerfulno one gets too powerful

incompetent people removedincompetent people removed





competent people are removedcompetent people are removed

officials not held accountable to the vote officials not held accountable to the vote of the peopleof the people

competent people are removedcompetent people are removed


more than one termmore than one termmore than one termmore than one term


continuitycontinuity

good people stay in governmentgood people stay in government

always held accountable to the vote of always held accountable to the vote of the peoplethe people





incompetent people can remainincompetent people can remain

a few can become too powerfula few can become too powerful



The Executive Branch of government The Executive Branch of government consists of the head of government, consists of the head of government, Cabinet, and appointees. Their job is to Cabinet, and appointees. Their job is to see that laws are see that laws are executedexecuted, or carried out., or carried out.

The Executive Branch of government The Executive Branch of government consists of the head of government, consists of the head of government, Cabinet, and appointees. Their job is to Cabinet, and appointees. Their job is to see that laws are see that laws are executedexecuted, or carried out., or carried out.

III A.III A. How many executives? How many executives?III A.III A. How many executives? How many executives?

one executiveone executiveone executiveone executive

One executive means you have one head One executive means you have one head of government (who we call a president) of government (who we call a president) who performs the outlined duties of the who performs the outlined duties of the executive. executive.

One executive means you have one head One executive means you have one head of government (who we call a president) of government (who we call a president) who performs the outlined duties of the who performs the outlined duties of the executive. executive.

What would be some What would be some advantages of one advantages of one executive?executive?

What would be some What would be some advantages of one advantages of one executive?executive?

What would be some What would be some disadvantages of only one disadvantages of only one executive?executive?

What would be some What would be some disadvantages of only one disadvantages of only one executive?executive?

more than one executivemore than one executivemore than one executivemore than one executive

More than one executive means you have More than one executive means you have two or more individuals who perform the two or more individuals who perform the outlined duties of the executive. outlined duties of the executive.

More than one executive means you have More than one executive means you have two or more individuals who perform the two or more individuals who perform the outlined duties of the executive. outlined duties of the executive.

What would be some What would be some advantages of more than advantages of more than one executive?one executive?

What would be some What would be some advantages of more than advantages of more than one executive?one executive?

What would be some What would be some disadvantages of more disadvantages of more than one executive?than one executive?

What would be some What would be some disadvantages of more disadvantages of more than one executive?than one executive?

III B.III B. How should the executive be How should the executive be selected?selected?

III B.III B. How should the executive be How should the executive be selected?selected?

The following options are similar to the The following options are similar to the legislative branch, but the situation is legislative branch, but the situation is different. Remember that the Legislative different. Remember that the Legislative branch has many people while the branch has many people while the Executive branch has only a few.Executive branch has only a few.

The following options are similar to the The following options are similar to the legislative branch, but the situation is legislative branch, but the situation is different. Remember that the Legislative different. Remember that the Legislative branch has many people while the branch has many people while the Executive branch has only a few.Executive branch has only a few.

the people-the people- executive are executive are supposed to lead the peoplesupposed to lead the people

the people-the people- executive are executive are supposed to lead the peoplesupposed to lead the people



electors-electors- knowledgeable knowledgeable representatives from each representatives from each state chooses the governmentstate chooses the government

electors-electors- knowledgeable knowledgeable representatives from each representatives from each state chooses the governmentstate chooses the government

You may have any combination of the You may have any combination of the previous ideas.previous ideas.

You may have any combination of the You may have any combination of the previous ideas.previous ideas.

the national legislature the national legislature (what we call Congress) (what we call Congress) should elect the executiveshould elect the executive

the national legislature the national legislature (what we call Congress) (what we call Congress) should elect the executiveshould elect the executive

III C.III C. Powers of the executive Powers of the executiveIII C.III C. Powers of the executive Powers of the executive

The following is a partial list of possible The following is a partial list of possible powers with explanations.powers with explanations.The following is a partial list of possible The following is a partial list of possible powers with explanations.powers with explanations.

vetoveto- forbid laws from being passed- forbid laws from being passedvetoveto- forbid laws from being passed- forbid laws from being passed

make appointmentsmake appointments- appoint people - appoint people to certain government positionsto certain government positions

make appointmentsmake appointments- appoint people - appoint people to certain government positionsto certain government positions

negotiate treatiesnegotiate treaties- make agreements - make agreements with other countrieswith other countries

negotiate treatiesnegotiate treaties- make agreements - make agreements with other countrieswith other countries

commander-in-chief of the militarycommander-in-chief of the military- - the supreme commander of all military the supreme commander of all military operationsoperations

commander-in-chief of the militarycommander-in-chief of the military- - the supreme commander of all military the supreme commander of all military operationsoperations

declare wardeclare wardeclare wardeclare war

Some things to think about when Some things to think about when deciding executive powers:deciding executive powers:Some things to think about when Some things to think about when deciding executive powers:deciding executive powers:

Should any power be absolute, Should any power be absolute, meaning that the executive has a meaning that the executive has a power and must answer to no one?power and must answer to no one?

Should any power be absolute, Should any power be absolute, meaning that the executive has a meaning that the executive has a power and must answer to no one?power and must answer to no one?

Should there be some kind of check Should there be some kind of check on these powers?on these powers?

Should there be some kind of check Should there be some kind of check on these powers?on these powers?

III D.III D. How many years should a term of How many years should a term of office be?office be?

III D.III D. How many years should a term of How many years should a term of office be?office be?


short term (1-4 years)short term (1-4 years)short term (1-4 years)short term (1-4 years)










long term (more than 4 years)long term (more than 4 years)long term (more than 4 years)long term (more than 4 years)



executives gain experienceexecutives gain experience

time to see program throughtime to see program through

not as much turn-over in the governmentnot as much turn-over in the government

executives gain experienceexecutives gain experience

time to see program throughtime to see program through

not as much turn-over in the governmentnot as much turn-over in the government





III E.III E. How many terms of office can be How many terms of office can be served?served?

III E.III E. How many terms of office can be How many terms of office can be served?served?

one termone termone termone term









competent people removedcompetent people removed


competent people removedcompetent people removed


more than one termmore than one termmore than one termmore than one term













The Judicial Branch of government consists of The Judicial Branch of government consists of the Supreme Court and lower courts. The the Supreme Court and lower courts. The Supreme Court Supreme Court interprets interprets (decides if laws are (decides if laws are fair) matters concerning the Constitution. Lower fair) matters concerning the Constitution. Lower courts rule in civil and criminal cases.courts rule in civil and criminal cases.

The Judicial Branch of government consists of The Judicial Branch of government consists of the Supreme Court and lower courts. The the Supreme Court and lower courts. The Supreme Court Supreme Court interprets interprets (decides if laws are (decides if laws are fair) matters concerning the Constitution. Lower fair) matters concerning the Constitution. Lower courts rule in civil and criminal cases.courts rule in civil and criminal cases.

IV A.IV A. What type of national court system What type of national court system should be created?should be created?

IV A.IV A. What type of national court system What type of national court system should be created?should be created?

Most delegates favored Most delegates favored a Supreme Court.a Supreme Court.

Most delegates favored Most delegates favored a Supreme Court.a Supreme Court.

However, there was disagreement on However, there was disagreement on whether there should be inferior national whether there should be inferior national courts, or if inferior courts should be courts, or if inferior courts should be handled within each state.handled within each state.

However, there was disagreement on However, there was disagreement on whether there should be inferior national whether there should be inferior national courts, or if inferior courts should be courts, or if inferior courts should be handled within each state.handled within each state.

National power National power versus state power versus state power was again an issue.was again an issue.

National power National power versus state power versus state power was again an issue.was again an issue.

IV B.IV B. How should justices be selected? How should justices be selected?IV B.IV B. How should justices be selected? How should justices be selected?

There are many options on this issue There are many options on this issue such as the executive appointing justices, such as the executive appointing justices, national legislature voting, state national legislature voting, state legislatures voting, executive nominating legislatures voting, executive nominating and legislature choosing, etc.and legislature choosing, etc.

There are many options on this issue There are many options on this issue such as the executive appointing justices, such as the executive appointing justices, national legislature voting, state national legislature voting, state legislatures voting, executive nominating legislatures voting, executive nominating and legislature choosing, etc.and legislature choosing, etc.

Decide if you want Decide if you want one of these ideas, a one of these ideas, a different idea, or a different idea, or a combination of combination of these ideas.these ideas.

Decide if you want Decide if you want one of these ideas, a one of these ideas, a different idea, or a different idea, or a combination of combination of these ideas.these ideas.

IV C.IV C. How many years should a term of How many years should a term of office be?office be?

IV C.IV C. How many years should a term of How many years should a term of office be?office be?

Most delegates felt that Most delegates felt that Supreme Court justices Supreme Court justices should serve a life term.should serve a life term.

Most delegates felt that Most delegates felt that Supreme Court justices Supreme Court justices should serve a life term.should serve a life term.

Why might we want justices to serve for Why might we want justices to serve for so long but not want other government so long but not want other government officials in power for such a length of officials in power for such a length of time?time?

Why might we want justices to serve for Why might we want justices to serve for so long but not want other government so long but not want other government officials in power for such a length of officials in power for such a length of time?time?

IV D.IV D. How long should the justices serve? How long should the justices serve?IV D.IV D. How long should the justices serve? How long should the justices serve?

If the decision is for justices to serve for If the decision is for justices to serve for life, then it is not necessary to debate the life, then it is not necessary to debate the number of terms.number of terms.

If the decision is for justices to serve for If the decision is for justices to serve for life, then it is not necessary to debate the life, then it is not necessary to debate the number of terms.number of terms.

If the decision is to If the decision is to have justices serve a have justices serve a certain number of years, certain number of years, then delegates need to then delegates need to decide how many terms.decide how many terms.

If the decision is to If the decision is to have justices serve a have justices serve a certain number of years, certain number of years, then delegates need to then delegates need to decide how many terms.decide how many terms.

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