Constitutional Convention

1
Chapter 5

• Section 2

2
Constitutional Convention

• Many people thought that the new United States
  needed a stronger central government.
• The people who felt this were called
  nationalists.
• Finally in May 1787 delegates from the States met
  in Philadelphia.

3
Constitutional Convention

• Many of the most distinguished people from the
  States attended.
• The Virginia Plan called for a three branch
  government. The legislative branch would be
  determined by State population.
• This plan was popular with the larger States.
• The small States didnt like the plan.

4
Constitutional Convention

• The New Jersey Plan was a small State plan where
  representation was equal.

5
Compromise

• The Great Compromise ended the population
  controversy.
• The Senate would be equally represented and the
  House of Representatives would be determined by
  population.
• The 3/5 Compromise was used to determine how
  slaves would be counted in State populations.

6
Limited Government

• The Framers wanted to make sure no one person or
  group became too powerful.
• The idea of popular sovereignty was that the
  power rested with the people.
• A Republic was created where people would elect
  representatives to the government.
• Federalism was created where power was separated
  geographically.

7
Limited Government

• The three branches created a separation of
  powers.
• Each branch had the ability to limit the power of
  the other which created checks and balances.
• Finally they created a Constitution that could be
  changed over time with amendments.