Constitutional
Convention
1787
Constitutional Convention
(AKA: Philadelphia Convention)
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53 Delegates met in absolute secrecy in
Philadelphia during the summer of 1787.
All states, except Rhode Island, sent delegates to
the convention.
They met in Independence Hall.
On average there were about 30 delegates there
every day.
(James Madison was the only delegate to never
miss a day.)
Purpose of the
Constitutional Convention
ArticlesofofConfederation
Confederation
Articles
• The goal was
to revise the
Articles of
Confederation
• It was quickly
decided to
replace it.
How would states be represented in Congress?
4
Virginia Plan
Proposed by big states
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral (2 Houses)
Based on
Population
Elected by
the people
Elected by the
1st house
# of Congressmen determined by state population
New Jersey Plan
Supported by smaller states
Lawmaking body:
Unicameral (1 House)
Based on
Equality of
States
Each state would
have the same
number of
representatives or
votes
Working Together
• Weeks of arguing over representation in
Congress
• Finally, each side realized they must
compromise
• Compromise – to give up something of
what you want in order to reach an
agreement
The Great Compromise
This was a combination of both plans…
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)
House of Representatives
Senate
# of representatives
depends on population
Each state gets 2
representatives
RECAP ~ The Great
Compromise
LARGE STATES
SMALL STATES
• Gave up the idea of
having more
representatives in
both houses of
Congress
• Gave up the idea of
a single house of
Congress with an
equal number of
representatives for
each state
REMEMBER!
• The number of each state’s
representatives in one house of
Congress would be determined by its
population.
• Southern states had slaves.
• Should they count as part
of the population?
Different Points of View
Southern delegates
Northern delegates
• Wanted slaves to
• Felt slaves should
count as part of the
not count
population (this
• They argued slaves
would give them
were not allowed to
more representatives
vote and did not
in Congress)
hold any other rights
of citizenship
• Want slavery ended
3/5 Compromise
• They decided to count
3/5 of the total number
of slaves as part of the
population.
• 5 blacks = 3 whites.
Slaves still could not vote
A Continuing Issue
• Delegates were afraid if slavery is banned the
Constitution would not be approved in the
southern states
• Delegates agreed that Congress could not
stop states from importing slaves from other
countries before 1808
• 1808 – Congress banned slave trade with
other countries
• But slaves could still be bought and sold
within the U.S.
SUMMARY