The Constitutional Convention. A) A profile of the Delegates 1) 55 white males, well educated,...

The Constitutional Convention

A) A profile of the Delegates

1) 55 white males, well educated, wealthy

Harvard

Princeton

Yale



2) 2/3 owned slaves



2) 2/3 owned slaves

3) 6 were farmers



2) 2/3 owned slaves

3) 6 were farmers

4) 36 lawyers

Interactive Picture of Delegates

B) Through the records of James Madison, we have nearly every word of the convention

B) Through the records of James Madison, we have nearly every word of the convention

C) Madison would address the convention over 200 times (“Father of the Constitution”)

D) Began on May 25th , 1787 (timeline) in Philadelphia

D) Began on May 25th , 1787 in Philadelphia

1) by noon the temperature would be over 100



2) windows were left shut because of secrecy and insects



2) windows were left shut because of secrecy and insects

3) Not one word ever leaked about the meeting

E) Each state had one vote (regardless of size)

II) The Virginia and New Jersey Plans


A) Virginia was immediately ready with Madison’s plan



1. Scrap the very weak Articles of Confederation

Madison’s Words about the Articles

1. "It does not provide against foreign attacks."

2. "It does not secure Harmony to the States."

3. "It is incapable of producing certain blessings to the States."

4. "It cannot defend itself against encroachments."

5. "It is not superior to State constitutions."



1. Scrap the very weak Articles of Confederation

2. Members of Congress elected by voters, with the number based on population


3. One central authority consisting of 3 branches



a. legislative – makes the laws (Congress)




b. executive – carry out the laws (President)




b. executive – carry out the laws (President)

c. judicial – interpret the laws (Supreme Court)


B) This idea comes from Biblical principles


B) This idea comes from Biblical principles1) No one is righteous (Romans 3:10)


B) This idea comes from Biblical principles1) No one is righteous (Romans 3:10)

2) Must have a system of checks and balances


C) New Jersey hated this plan (small state)


C) New Jersey hated this plan (small state)1) wanted one house which had equal number representatives who were selected by the state legislature


C) New Jersey hated this plan (small state)1) wanted one house which had equal number representatives who were selected by the state legislature

D) Arguments

1) Madison said the NJ plan would leave too much power in the hands of the state (A of C)


C) New Jersey hated this plan (small state)1) wanted one house which had one representative who was selected by the state legislature

D) Arguments1) Madison said the NJ plan would leave too much power in the hands of the state (A of C)

2) NJ feared being over-powered by larger states


E) The Great Compromise


E) The Great Compromise1) Plans would both fail without compromise



2) Roger Sherman created 2 houses of Congress



2) Roger Sherman created 2 houses of Congressa. House of Representatives based upon population (larger states have more representatives)



2) Roger Sherman created 2 houses of Congressa. House of Representatives based upon population (larger states have more representatives)

b. Senate is based upon equal representation (2 from each state)


F) The 3/5 Compromise


F) The 3/5 Compromise1) Who counts in population? (House of Reps)



2) South wanted slaves to count (more reps)



2) South wanted slaves to count (more reps)

3) North agreed to count a slave as 3/5 of a person


G) Trade Compromise


G) Trade Compromise1) Congress could not tax exports (helps south)


G) Trade Compromise1) Congress could not tax exports (helps south)

2) Could not ban the slave trade for 20 years (helps south)


H) Electing the President


H) Electing the President1) Could we trust the people to elect a president?



2) Would a president have enough power if chosen by Congress?



2) Would a president have enough power if chosen by Congress?

3) Compromise on the Electoral College


I) It was now up to the people to ratify (agree) to the Constitution

Washington’s Chair

The Constitutional Convention. A) A profile of the Delegates 1) 55 white males, well educated,...

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