The Constitutional Convention
Begins
 February 1787-Philadelphia
 Delegates from all the states were
invited to a convention to improve
the Articles of Confederation.
 Only Rhode Island did not attend
 55 Delegates
 All the participants in the
Convention were wealthy, white,
males.
Important People
 Benjamin Franklin- Was the oldest
delegate at the convention at the age
of 81
 George Washington- Was asked to
preside (lead) over the convention
 James Madison- kept notes of the
discussions and is often called “The
Father of the Constitution”
 Thomas Jefferson & John AdamsBoth were in Europe and did not
attend the convention
ISSUES THAT DIVIDED THE NATION
 Federal vs State government- Should the federal or the
state government have the majority of the power
 Representation- Small states wanted representation in
government to equal, while large states wanted it
based on population
 Slavery- What states should have slavery? Would the
slave trade continue?
The Virginia Plan
 Favored by large states
 Gave majority of power to the central or federal
government
 Three Branches of government- Legislative, executive,
and judicial
 Bicameral (two house) legislative branch
 Representation in the legislative branch would be
based on population
The New Jersey Plan
 Favored by small states
 Legislature- has only one house
 Each state gets one vote
 States had more power under this plan
The Great Compromise
Called for the creation on a two-house
legislature:
LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH
Lower House:
-House of
representatives
Upper House:
-The Senate
The Great Compromise
Lower House
 Lower house know as
the House of
Representatives would
be elected by popular
vote
 Representation in the
lower house would be
awarded to each state
according to population.
(larger states get more reps)
Upper House
 Upper house called
the Senate, would be
chosen by state
legislatures.
 Each state no matter
the size would have
two senators. (small
and larger states are
treated equal)
ELECTION COMPROMISE
President and Senators
House of Representatives
 Citizens of the country
 Members of the House of
choose these members of the
government indirectly
 The electoral college was
created. Thus the citizens
vote for electors who then
vote for the president.
 State Legislatures picked
Senators.
Representatives were chosen
by citizens directly through a
popular vote.
Three-Fifths Compromise
 Southern states said…

Agreed that three
fifths of the slaves in
any state would count
towards the
population.
 Northern states said…
slaves cannot vote or

This greatly benefited
the representation of
the southern states in
the house of
representatives.
Slave population
should count towards
representation for
southern states.
participate in
government, they
should not give the
south more represent
Slave Trade Compromise
 Northern and Southern states agreed
that Congress could not outlaw the
slave trade for at least 20 years.
 Northerners also agreed that no state
could stop a fugitive slave from being
returned to an owner who claimed
that slave.