THE CONSTITUTIONThe Key People, Events, and Ideas that Shaped the Document

The Constitutional Convention

When: May 1787 Where:

Philadelphia – at the State House – now called Independence Hall

Purpose: Amend the Articles of Confederation

The Constitutional Convention

Who: 55 representatives from 12 states Includes: Ben Franklin - oldest James Madison –

important!! George Washington -

elected president of the Convention

Issues at the Convention

Some wanted to make small changes to the Articles Others wanted to rewrite the whole

document States were divided on major issues

Representation in the national government

Slavery Tariffs How strong to make the national

government

The Virginia Plan

Written by James Madison

Central government would have supreme power

3 Branches Bicameral (2 house)

legislature Representation

based on population Good for large states

The New Jersey Plan

Written by William Paterson

Keep Congress the same Unicameral (1 house) Based on equal number

per state Congress’ laws become

“supreme law of all states” Power to tax Power to regulate

commerce Good for small states

Debating

Argued about the formation of the government for over a month

Created a committee to decide on issue of representation

Decided on a compromise

The Great Compromise

Slavery and the New Government Southerners wanted slaves to

count as part of population Would get more representatives in the House of Representatives

Northerners wanted slaves to count for the purposes of taxes Not to be considered for representation

Slavery and the New Government

The Northern and Southern states were divided about slaves as members of the population

Slavery in the New Government

At the time, the majority of the states used slave labor. However, there were more slaves in the southern states than in the northern states.

Slavery in the New GovernmentDecided to count slaves, but only as a fraction

Each slave would count as 3/5 of a person in determining representation for Congress

Called the Three-Fifths Compromise

Another Compromise

Some delegates wanted an immediate end to the slave trade Some southerners threatened to leave the

Union if the slave trade ended Compromise:

Southerners give up fight about having 2/3 of Congress pass laws

IF Northerners wait 20 years to stop the slave

trade

Major Constitutional Ideas

Want to protect popular sovereignty Establish a system of federalism

Shared power between central and state governments

States must obey authority of central government

States DO get local control over some issuesLocal government, education, provide for the welfare of citizens

A Balance of Power

Created 3 branches of government Legislative – proposes and

passes laws“Congress” Senate = 2 members from

each stateHouse of Representatives =

members based on population Executive – carries out the laws

Creates departments to enforce the laws

Judicial – interpreting the lawsCourt system

A Balance of Power

Established a system of checks and balances Keeps each branch from becoming too

powerful Most actions of one branch must be

“checked” by another branchEx: Congress passes a law. The president

can “veto” (reject) that law.Congress can override the veto with a

vote of 2/3 of its membersJudicial branch can review that law

and declare it “unconstitutional” = power of judicial review

Wrapping up the Convention

Lasted for 16 weeks

Final draft finished in September 1787

Sent Constitution to Congress Congress sent

it to the states to be ratified