Section 3

Chapter 5

Constitutional ConventionFeb. 1787 Confederation Congress invites each

state to send delegates to Philadelphia to improve the Articles of Confederation.

May 1787 Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall.

The DelegatesMost were well educatedMany had served in their state legislaturesGeorge Washington elected president of the

conventionBen Franklin and James Madison presentThomas Jefferson and John Adams absentNo women, African Americans or Native Americans

Great CompromiseSeveral issues divided the delegates

Some only wanted small changes in the Art. Of Confederation

Some want to rewrite it totallySmall and Large states had different goals and ideas

about representation, tariffs, and slaveryDelegates disagreed over the strength of the

national government

Virginia PlanEdmund Randolph of Virginia presented planProposed sovereignty (supreme power) to the

central governmentBicameral (2 houses) legislature~chosen by

populationBig states favor this plan

New Jersey PlanWilliam Paterson presentedUnicameral ( one house) legislatureEqual number of votes per stateFederal government would have the power to tax in

all states and allowed the government to regulate commerce (trade)

Small states favor this plan

Great CompromiseRoger Sherman of Connecticut proposedBicameral ( two house) legislature

Senate-each state has two representativesHouse of Representatives-number of representatives

based on the population of state

Three-Fifths CompromiseSouthern delegates wanted slaves counted in the

population for representationNorthern delegates wanted slaves counted for taxes

but not representationCompromise-each slave counted as 3/5 person for

population ( representation in the House of Representatives)

Example-50 slaves counted as 30 for representation

Commerce CompromiseForeign slave trade

Some wanted it stoppedSouthern states said economy depended on slave

trade and would leave the Union if slave trade was immediately ended

Congress’s ability to tax imports and exports were also an issue

Solution: Congress could set tariffs on imports but not exports and importation of slaves would end by 1807

No mention of “slaves” in Constitution

Living ConstitutionWanted a strong Central Government that protected

Popular Sovereignty-political power belongs to the people

Federalism-balanced power between federal (national) and state governments

All states must obey the Federal governmentStates have control of: education, local gov., charters

for corporations, create and oversee civil laws, must protect the welfare of their citizens

Checks and BalancesLegislative Branch-makes laws

Senate and House of RepresentativesExecutive Branch-carries out the laws

President and his departmentsJudicial Branch-interprets the laws

Supreme Court and Federal CourtsChecks and Balances help keep one branch from

having too much power

ConstitutionFinal draft completed September 1787Only three refused to sign itSent to Congress and the states for ratification