The Constitutional Convention

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The Constitutional Convention
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Essential Questions

• Why did the Framers want to replace the Articles
  of Confederation?
• What issues came up at the Constitutional
  Convention?
• How did the Framers use compromise to create the
  Constitution?

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Weaknesses of the A. of C.?

• No power to tax.
• Difficult decision-making
• 9/13 vote needed, unanimous to amend.
• No power over state governments.
• Unenforceable international trade agreements.
• No power to regulate trade between states.
• Little protection of citizens property.

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The Constitutional Convention

• Summer, 1787
• Held in Philadelphia
• 55 delegates attended- each state had one vote
• RI refused to attend
• Originally convened to fix A. of C., but once
  they were there they threw it out.

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More famous names

• George Washington- famous war vet, president of
  the convention
• James Madison- believed in strong national govt.,
  developed Virginia Plan, took notes
• Alexander Hamilton- wanted strong national
  government, played an important role in
  ratification
• Benjamin Franklin- 81 years old
• TJ and John Adams were not there

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The Two Plans

• Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan
• Both suggested governments that had
• 3 branches- Legislative, Executive, Judicial
• Legislative branchs laws were supreme over state
  laws

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The Two Plans

• Virginia Plan
• Strong national govt.
• Two houses- both proportional
• Legislative branch could make laws states could
  not, call up armed forces, elect those for other
  branches

• New Jersey Plan
• States hold power
• One house
• Legislative branch could collect taxes
  regulate trade
• Kept basic framework of A. of C.

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After much discussion, the Virginia Plan was
adopted as the model, but two questions remained

• How should the number of representatives from
  each state be determined?
• What powers should the national government have?

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Now you will look at other issues the Framers
dealt with during the convention.

• I will divide you into groups and assign you an
  issue.
• Decide how to divide up the positions within the
  issue. You will be presenting these.
• Read your position and prepare what youll share.
  USE YOUR OWN WORDS!
• You have 20 minutes!

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During the other groups presentations, youll
need to take notes!
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For homework, you have two tasks

• On a separate piece of paper For each issue,
  tell me which position you would adopt and why.
• Research which option of your issue the Framers
  chose when writing the Constitution. You will be
  sharing these next class.