The Constitutional Convention -1787

Convention
o The delegates threw out the old articles and started from scratch-
drafted the constitution of the U.S.
o A meeting in Philadelphia intended to improve the existing Articles of
Confederation
Rules
o They would not try to fix the articles, but replace them with a new
government
o Sworn secrecy- no one was to know what was sold for thirty years
o Each state was given on vote in the convention proceedings,
regardless of size
Notable Attendance
o James Madison Father of Constitution
He kept a daily journal about what was discussed and decided
throughout the process
Brought a plan for new government
o George Washington- most respected man in the country following the
war
Ends up presiding over the Convention
Ideas that drove the Convention
o The national government should be a constitutional government, that
is a government of limited power. The purpose of government should
be the protect right and promote the common good
o A strong government was needed to protect fundamental rights
o A republic form of government of elected representative was needed
to make sure that government served the common good
o A system of separation of powers and checks and balances was
needed to prevent the abuse of power.
Conflict
o During the convention one major conflict caused serious debate
(Representation)
o Small States- feared that large states would control the government to
each state should have the same number of representative
o Large States- felt that equal representation was unfair to a state with
more people should have more votes.
Virginia Plan
o Wrote by James Madison
o Strong Government
o Federalism-two governments, one state and national which received
their power from the people
o National Government would have the power to make its own laws
and to collect taxes
o Government would be divided into three branches (Legislative,
Executive, and Judicial)
o Bicameral- Legislative would have two houses: Representatives and
senate
o The number of representatives would be proportional
New Jersey Plan
o A weak government
o One house of congress (unicameral)
o Each state would have equal representation
o Congress would have the powers to collect taxes on product and
stamps and levy fines and collect money from states if they refused to
pay their taxes
o Congress would have the powers to regulate trade among state and
foreign nations
o Three branches of government. Congress would appoint people to the
executive branch, and then the executive branch would appoint
members of the U.S Supreme Court.
The Great Compromise
o June 19
th
the delegates voted for the plan they liked the best Virginia
plan won but it sparked a fierce debate over representation
o Roger Sherman is credited for the Great compromise
o Fixing Representation
To satisfy smaller states, each state would have equal votes in
the senate
Large: House of representatives is by population
3/5 compromise
o Now that representation was going to be decided on state population,
who is going to be counted
o 1
st
tension over slavery
Southern States wanted slaves counted for representation, but
not as taxable property
Northern states wanted the slaves to count for taxes, but not
for representation
o Counted 3/5
th
of states slave population for the purposes of figuring
taxes and would count towards representation