Constitutional Convention of 1787



George Washington –
presided over the convention
James Madison – “Father of
the Constitution”
Organization and Power of the
Government


Also Benjamin Franklin and
Roger Sherman
Met to revise the Articles of
Confederation, strengthen
the central government
Instead wrote the
constitution and created a
new form of government
3 Branches of Government
 Separation of Power
 Checks & Balances
o
Executive – enforces laws
o
veto bills passed by
legislature
o
Legislative – makes laws
o
override presidential veto
o
Judicial – interprets laws
o
declare laws unconstitutional
Representation
New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan
Slavery
North
Small states
large states
Slaves count
1 legislative house
2 legislative houses
Slaves do not count
1 vote per state (equal
representation)
representation based on population
Great Compromise
 2 legislative houses
o Upper – Senate – equal representation (2 per state)
o Lower - House of Representatives – based on population
(proportional)
South
TAXATION
REPRESENTATION
slaves do not count
slaves count
3/5ths Compromise
 Each slave counts as 3/5ths of a person
 In other words: for every 5 slaves only 3 counted