The Constitutional Convention

1
The Constitutional Convention
2
Annapolis Convention

• Meant to meet to revise Articles
• Began May 1787
• Shays Rebellion showed them revision was not a
  possibility that they had to start from scratch
• All states represented but Rhode Island

3
James Madison

• He took the only notes of the convention we have
• Called the father of the constitution
• Very shy but a leader because of his great mind
• Strong believer in Rousseau who argued that
  through proper govt humans could take control
  of their world and improve their lives

4
Decisions

• First Washington is president of convention
  unanimously
• Second not easy
• How to establish the legislative branch with all
  states rights valued

5
The Virginia Planpresented by Edmund Randolph

• Bicameral
• Proportional Representation
• States with large pop have more say than small
  states
• Can tax
• Could Veto any state laws
• Had executive branch
• Had judicial branch

6
The New Jersey Planproposed by William Paterson

• Unicameral
• Equal Representation
• Can tax
• Can regulate commerce
• Executive Branch
• Judicial Branch
• States would still have more rights than the
  national government

7
The Great Compromise

• Proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth
• Bicameral
• Senate Equal Representation
• House of Reps Proportional Rep
• Balanced large and small state interests
• Gave increased powers to Legislature but not the
  right to veto state laws

8
Slave Representation Controversy

• Southern states slaves should count for
  population for representation but not for taxes
• Argued they are property not people
• Northern states you cant have it both ways
  either they are people or they are property for
  both
• Both African Americans and Native Americans were
  not allowed to participate in the Govt in any way

9
3/5 Compromise

• Slaves would count as 3/5 of a person for both
  representation and taxation
• Meaning every 5 slaves is equal to 3 white people
• Morally wrong but again a temporary solution to a
  long term conflict