The Constitutional The Constitutional ConventionConvention

Chris SandfordChris Sandford

American Government and PoliticsAmerican Government and Politics

Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention 55 men from 12 states met in 55 men from 12 states met in

Philly in late May 1787.Philly in late May 1787. They chose Washington as They chose Washington as

Convention President.Convention President. The plan was to “fix” the The plan was to “fix” the

Articles. It became clear quickly Articles. It became clear quickly that the a totally new that the a totally new Government needed to be Government needed to be written.written.

Hence, all meetings were held in Hence, all meetings were held in secret throughout the summer.secret throughout the summer.

Virginia PlanVirginia Plan First plan.First plan. Bi-cameral Bi-cameral

Legislature.Legislature. Representation based Representation based

upon population, upon population, meaning larger states meaning larger states would have more would have more power.power.

Legislature given lots Legislature given lots of power over state of power over state governments.governments.

Plan also called for a Plan also called for a national executive.national executive.

Plan also called for a Plan also called for a national judiciary national judiciary with a Supreme with a Supreme Court.Court.

The Virginia Plan was The Virginia Plan was passed and became passed and became the government.the government.

It was later changed It was later changed and amended.and amended.

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

William Paterson (left), William Paterson (left), upset by the Virginia upset by the Virginia Plan, presented his own.Plan, presented his own.

It favored the smaller It favored the smaller states.states.

This plan was never This plan was never passed but started a passed but started a debate that created our debate that created our current government.current government.

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

A Uni-cameral legislature.A Uni-cameral legislature. This legislature would be filled equally no This legislature would be filled equally no

matter the size of the state.matter the size of the state. Created a powerful Judiciary System, that Created a powerful Judiciary System, that

had supremacy over state courts.had supremacy over state courts. Created an executive which would be Created an executive which would be

selected by the legislature.selected by the legislature. This created a dead lock that almost sunk This created a dead lock that almost sunk

the entire convention.the entire convention.

Connecticut CompromiseConnecticut Compromise

Broke the dead lock at the Broke the dead lock at the convention.convention.

Written by Roger Sherman Written by Roger Sherman from CT.from CT.

Bi-Cameral Legislature.Bi-Cameral Legislature. Upper House (Senate) filled Upper House (Senate) filled

based upon equality from the based upon equality from the states.states.

Lower House (House of Rep.) Lower House (House of Rep.) filled based upon population.filled based upon population.

3/5 Compromise3/5 Compromise

Not only did the small v. large starts have Not only did the small v. large starts have controversy, so did Northern and Southern controversy, so did Northern and Southern states.states.

The South wanted to count slaves as The South wanted to count slaves as population for the House of Rep., population for the House of Rep., obviously the North did not.obviously the North did not.

The Compromise called for total number of The Compromise called for total number of slaves to be counted and then divide by slaves to be counted and then divide by 3/5.3/5.

Adopted and OppositionAdopted and Opposition On September 17, 1787 the Constitution On September 17, 1787 the Constitution

was adopted and sent to the states to be was adopted and sent to the states to be ratified.ratified.

Immediately after two groups formed to Immediately after two groups formed to advocate for its passage and to push for advocate for its passage and to push for its failure.its failure.

These two groups (Federalists and Anti-These two groups (Federalists and Anti-Federalists) led to one of the most famous Federalists) led to one of the most famous set of writings about our democratic set of writings about our democratic government - government - The Federalist Papers.The Federalist Papers.

Challenges to this SystemChallenges to this System

1.1. ““All men are created All men are created equal.”?equal.”?

2.2. ““Government by the Government by the people”?people”?

3.3. Federalism?Federalism?4.4. Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances5.5. Minority RightsMinority Rights6.6. Rights of accusedRights of accused7.7. Citizens responsibilityCitizens responsibility

Preamble of the ConstitutionPreamble of the Constitution

We the peopleIn order to form a more perfect union,

Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, Provide for the common defense,

Promote the general welfare andSecure the blessings of libertyTo ourselves and our posterity,

Do ordain and establish this Constitutionfor the United States of America.