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The Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention. Be Able to Answer:. Why did the early US Gov’t meet in Philadelphia and draft a Constitution? Understand the basics of the Compromises…. General Knowledge. How many amendments? What does the word Amendment mean? What is the Bill of Rights?

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The Constitutional Convention

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  1. The Constitutional Convention

  2. Be Able to Answer: • Why did the early US Gov’t meet in Philadelphia and draft a Constitution? • Understand the basics of the Compromises…

  3. General Knowledge • How many amendments? • What does the word Amendment mean? • What is the Bill of Rights? • Why did we have so many compromises? • How many branches? • Who is the head of each branch?

  4. The Constitutional Convention begins • 1787 - Philadelphia • Delegates from all the states invited to a convention to improve the Articles of Confederation, which were not working • Only RI didn’t attend • 55 Delegates attended

  5. George Washington was asked to preside over the convention. James Madison kept notes of the discussions and is often called “The Father of the Constitution.” Leaders of the Convention

  6. The Founding Fathers

  7. John Adams – England Thomas Jefferson – France Patrick Henry – distrusted a strong government Who was missing?

  8. What influenced the Founders? • Ancient Greeks and Romans – Democracy and Republican style of government • Magna Carta – Limit power of the King • John Locke – “Life, Liberty, and Property” • Baron de Montesquieu – Separation of Powers

  9. The power of the federal government. Representation in Congress. Slavery. Issues that divided the Nation’s leaders

  10. Virginia Plan Proposed by big states / Edmund Randolph Lawmaking body: Bicameral (2 Houses) Based on Population Elected by the 1st house Elected by the people # of Congressmen determined by state population

  11. New Jersey Plan Supported by smaller states / William Paterson Lawmaking body: Unicameral (1 House) Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes Based on Equality

  12. Solving the Problem of Representation Large States like Virginia desired Proportional Representation arguing in order for the new government to be more directly related to the people, states with larger populations should have more representatives. Small States like New Jersey desired Equal Representation arguing that a government under proportional representation would lead to domination by the more populated states.

  13. The Great Compromise This was a combination of both plans… Lawmaking body: Bicameral Congress (2 Houses) Senate House of Representatives Each state gets 2 representatives # of reps. would depend on populations

  14. The Southern states refused to approve the Constitution unless slavery continued. 3/5 Compromise - Made each slave worth 3/5 of a vote in deciding numbers in House of Representatives Congress can not ban the slave trade until 1808. Slavery

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