Drafting the Constitution

The Need for a Stronger Government

Constitutional Convention

• Spring of 1787, delegates gathered at Pennsylvania State House to discuss problems with the Articles of Confederation

Conflicts at the Constitutional Convention• Big States vs. Small States– What kind of legislature to have?– James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan with a

bicameral legislature• Elected by members of lower house• Number of reps based on population of

the stateUpper House

• Elected by the people• Number of reps based on population of

the stateLower House

Conflicts at the Constitutional Convention

• States with small population disagreed.

• Thought each state should have equal say

• Proposed the New Jersey Plan

A unicameral legislature

Each state gets one vote

The New Jersey Plan

Conflicts at the Constitutional Convention

• The Great Compromise– Legislature would be bicameral

• Each state would have equal number of representatives

Upper House - Senate

• Number of representatives would be based on population of the stateLower House –

House of Representatives

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_j497_Vx03ns/TJeojUZs8zI/AAAAAAAAACs/svbq9nQlglw/s640/great+compromise.jpg

The 3/5 Compromise

• If representation in House of Reps. Depends on population, who is included in the population count?– Are slaves included?– Southern states said yes! – had more slaves– Northern states disagreed – had fewer slaves

The 3/5 Compromise

• Compromise = 3 out of 5 slaves (3/5th of the slaves in each state) would be included in the population count

Creating a New Government• Federalism – dividing power between the

national and state governments

Creating a New Government

• Separation of Powers

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

The Electoral College

Federalists and Anti Federalists

• By late September, 1787, the Constitution was finished.

• Now, it had to be ratified by 9 out of 13 states• The whole text was printed in newspapers• People were shocked when they read it– Huge change from the Article of Confederation!

Federalists and Anti Federalists

Federalists and Anti Federalists

Federalists and Anti Federalists• Solution: The Bill of Rights– The idea that the Constitution can be amended– 1st ten amendments provide protection for the

rights of individuals