8.4-8.10 Big Idea• What compromises emerge from the

Constitution Convention?

Study Skills• Study 5-10 minutes a night• Know Vocabulary• Understand Organization• Create Flashcards• Drill and Practice facts• Know the test giver• Know your strengths and weaknesses• Read aloud/Reread/Write down• Write test questions• Teach someone else• Complete chapter review• Create a chart or graph

Vocabulary Terms• popular sovereignty• federalism• legislative• executive• judicial branch• checks and balances• Constitution Convention• James Madison• Virginia Plan• William Patterson• New Jersey Plan• Great Compromise• Three-Fifths Compromise

Ch8 Section 4Opening the Constitution

Convention

Objective - Explain why delegates met at the

Constitutional Convention.

IV. Opening the Constitutional Convention

A. The MeetingA. Constitutional Convention held at Philadelphia’s State

House in May 1787.B. Called to discuss ways to improve the Articles of

ConfederationC. George Washington was elected president of the

convention

B. The DelegatesA. Every state but Rhode Island sent delegates, for a total of

55B. Did not include John Adams or Thomas Jefferson who were

representing the U.S. in Britain and France.C. Also not in attendance were Sam Adams, John Hancock,

and Patrick Henry.

IV. Opening the Constitutional Convention

A. The Father of the ConstitutionA. The most prepared delegate was James Madison, who took

good notes and joined in many discussions.

B. The Rule of SecrecyA. Delegates needed to be able speak their minds without

fear. B. All windows, and doors were closed and guarded

C. Shared Beliefs and Clashing ViewsA. Committed to Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.B. Believed in a republic, constitution, suffrage, and more

powerful government.

Important QuestionsWhy was the Constitutional Convention held?

To discuss ways to improve the Articles of Confederation..

Homework Quiz• How many states and delegates were

represented at the Constitutional Convention?

• What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

• Where was the Constitutional Convention held? (city, state, building)

• Who was the most influential delegate?• Name two famous men who were at the

Constitutional Convention and two men that were not.

8.5 Issue: How Should States Be

Represented in the New Government

Objective - Examine the main issues debated

and compromises that were reached at the Constitutional Convention.

V. 8.5 Issue: How Should States Be Represented in the New Government

A. Several issues divided delegates, particularly along state and regional lines.

B. The Virginia Plan1. The Virginia Plan, or large state plan, was written mainly

by James Madison.2. Called for new constitution that gave supreme power to

central government.3. Created Federalism- Dividing power between the states

and central government.4. Created three branches, Executive, Legislative, Judicial. 5. Including bicameral (2 House) legislature in which

representation was based on state population.6. Opposed by small states, because larger states would

have more representatives

V. 8.5 Issue: How Should States Be Represented in the New Government

C. New Jersey Plan was offered by New Jersey delegate William Paterson

1. Called for new constitution that gave supreme power to central government.

2. Created Federalism- Dividing power between the states and central government.

3. Created three branches, Executive, Legislative, Judicial. 4. Created a unicameral (1House) legislature, with each

state receiving equal representation5. Opposed by larger states, because smaller states

would have more influence

VI. 8.6 Resolution: The Great CompromiseA. Tempers Rise

A. The smaller states did not trust the larger states.B. They threatened to ally with a foreign nation

B. A Compromised Is Reached1. The Great Compromise was offered by Connecticut

delegate Roger Sherman2. Delegates eventually passed what had become known

as the Great Compromise.3. Created Federalism- Dividing power between the states

and central government.4. Created three branches, Executive, Legislative, Judicial. 5. Created a bicameral (2 houses) legislature, in which

each state received equal representation in the upper house (Senate) and population-based representation in the lower house (House of Representatives).

Homework Quiz• What plan called for the legislative branch to be

based on population?

• What was the compromise called that settled the dispute between large states and small states?

• Who presented the New Jersey Plan?

• How many houses did the Virginia Plan purpose?

• How many houses in the legislative branch did the compromise include and how would representation be determined?– name of house- how many representatives

VII. Issue: How Should Slaves be CountedA. People or Property?

A. Southern delegates wanted slaves to be counted like everyone else for purposes of representation.

B. Northern delegates thought slaves were property and should not be counted to determine representation but should be counted to determine taxes.

C. Northern also stated that if they are to be counted as people “then make them citizens and let them vote.”

D. Under so-called Three-Fifths Compromise, each slave would be counted as three fifths of a person for purposes of representation.

B. New Thinking on SlaveryA. Many Northern states began thinking slavery was wrong

because of the principles of the Declaration of Independence and many states passed laws ending slavery.

B. Although many southern were unebasy about slavery they would not abolish it because their economy depended on it.

VIII. Resolution: The Three-Fifths CompromiseA. Three-Fifths Compromise

A. After much debate Madison proposed a compromise. B. Under so-called Three-Fifths Compromise, each slave would be

counted as three fifths of a person for purposes of representation in the House of Representation.

B. Another Slavery IssueA. Northern wanted congress to control trade between states and

other countries.B. Southern worried that congress would taxes southern exports like

rice, tobacco and use that power to outlaw the slave trade.C. Southern and northern delegates disagreed over ending the

foreign slave trade. C. More Compromises on Slavery.

A. Under another compromise, A. Congress could control trade but could not tax exports.B. northern delegates would wait 20 years before attempting to

end foreign slave trade; southern delegates would not ask that laws in Congress require a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

C. They agreed to fugitive slave clause

Important QuestionsHow did the delegates resolve disagreements

over slavery and representation?

Each slave would count as three fifths of a person for purposes of representation.

Congress would make no laws about Slave Trade for 20 years.

Homework Quiz• How did delegates from Pennsylvania want to

count slaves?

• How did delegates from Virginia want to count slaves?

• What did the two sides agree to do about the slave trade?

• What is the Three-Fifths Compromise about? (Slavery?)

• If the Great Compromise was between large and small states, who was the Three Fifths Compromise between?

IX. Issue: How Should the Chief Executive Be Elected

A. Who should head the Executive Branch?A. James Wilson wanted a single person like a King.B. Others were not happy with that idea

B. One Executive or Three?A. Some delegates want one executive to make

“clear, timely and responsible” decisionB. Others, like Edmund Randolph, wanted three to

keep one from abusing power.C. Choosing the Chief Executive

A. Some delegates wanted Congress to appoint the President

B. Some wanted the people to appoint the President

C. Others wanted a chosen special group called electors to do it.

X. Resolution: The Electoral CollegeA. No Vote For Congress and People.

1. Delegates agreed on one Executive.2. Could not break a tie for People or Congress to elect3. Finally agreed on Electoral College.

B. The Electoral SystemA. Electoral college is a group of electors who cast their vote

to elect President/Vice president every four yearsB. Electoral number is House Representatives plus Senators.C. States use to choose the Electors but now the people do.

C. Political Parties and ElectionsA. Delegates could not predict the advances in

communication or the rise of political partiesB. A candidate can win the popular vote but lose the Electoral

vote