The American NationThe American Nation

Chapter 7-Section 2The Constitutional Convention

Creating a Republic1776–1790

Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

Chapter 7, Section 2

The Constitutional ConventionThe Constitutional Convention

Objectives to learn:• Who were the leading delegates to the

Constitutional Convention?• What were the main differences between

the two rival plans for the new Constitution?

• What compromises did the delegates have to reach before the Constitution could be signed?

Chapter 7, Section 2

I. Leading Delegates to the ConventionI. Leading Delegates to the Convention

Revolutionary Leaders:Benjamin Franklin• oldest delegate• signed Declaration of

IndependenceGeorge Washington• president of convention

A. When the Constitutional Convention met on May 25, 1787, to consider a new system of government, every state except Rhode Island sent representatives. There were a total of 55 delegates.

New Generation:Alexander Hamilton• wanted strong central

governmentJames Madison• ideas on democratic

government influenced others

• “Father of the Constitution”

The Constitution Convention of 1787 (1:00)The Constitution Convention of 1787 (1:00)

Great Men of the Constitution Convention (3:46)Great Men of the Constitution Convention (3:46)

Chapter 7, Section 2

II. Rival Plans for the New ConstitutionII. Rival Plans for the New Constitution

Virginia Plan

Purposed by Edmund Randolph and James Madison of Virginia

New Jersey Plan

Purposed by Wiliam Paterson of New Jersey

Supported by large states Supported by small states

Strong national government with three branches.

Supported by small states

• legislative branch—passes laws• executive branch—carries out laws• judicial branch—courts would decide

if laws were carried out fairly

Legislative branch—two housesSeats awarded on basis of population. Larger states would have more representatives than smaller states.

Legislative branch—one houseEach state gets one vote. Small states and big states would have equal representation.

James Madison and Edmund Randolph- Supporters of the Virginia Plan

James Madison and Edmund Randolph- Supporters of the Virginia Plan

William Paterson – Supporter of the New Jersey Plan

William Paterson – Supporter of the New Jersey Plan

Chapter 7, Section 2

III. The Delegates CompromisedIII. The Delegates Compromised

A. Compromise—a settlement in which each side gives up some demands in order to reach an agreement.

B. Great Compromise1. Large states wanted two houses of Congress with a state’s

representatives decided according to the state’s population. 2. Small states wanted Congress to have one house and each state

to have two senators. 3. The compromise— a two-house legislature – bicameral4. Members of the lower house— the House of Representatives —

would be elected by popular vote. Seats would be awarded according to population.

5. Members of the upper house— the Senate —would be chosen by state legislatures. Each state would have two senators.

Roger Sherman – Author of the Great Compromise

Roger Sherman – Author of the Great Compromise

Chapter 7, Section 2

The Delegates Compromised between the North and the South on the issue of Slavery

The Delegates Compromised between the North and the South on the issue of Slavery

A. Three-Fifths Compromise1. Southerners wanted to

include slaves in the population count to determine seats in the House, even though they could not vote.

2. Northerners objected. Since slaves could not vote, they should not be counted.

3. The compromise - Three fifths of the slaves in any state would be counted.

B. The Slave Trade1. Northerners wanted to ban

the slave trade.2. Southerners said a ban on

the slave trade would ruin their economy.

3. The compromise - Congress would not outlaw the slave trade for at least 20 years. After that, Congress could regulate the slave trade. Meanwhile, no state could stop a fugitive slave from being returned.

Signing the ConstitutionSigning the Constitution

A. Signed on September 17, 1787B. Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge

Gerry refused to sign the ConstitutionC. Each state had to have a convention to ratify the

Constitution D. The Constitution needed 9 states to ratify for it to go

in to effect

Delegates who refused to sign the Constitution- Randolph, Mason, and Gerry

Delegates who refused to sign the Constitution- Randolph, Mason, and Gerry

Composing the Constitution (3:35)Composing the Constitution (3:35)

Chapter 7, Section 2

Section 2 AssessmentSection 2 Assessment

In the Great Compromise the delegates decided Congress would havea) two houses, one where each state had two senators and one with

seats awarded according to state populations.b) one house, in which each state had one vote. c) two houses, both with seats awarded according to state populations.d) one house, in which seats are awarded according to state populations.

What did the Constitutional Convention decide to do about the slave trade in the United States?

a) ban the slave trade in the entire nationb) do nothingc) allow each state to decide forever for itselfd) say Congress could not outlaw the slave trade for 20 years, then could

reconsider

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Chapter 7, Section 2

Section 2 AssessmentSection 2 Assessment

In the Great Compromise the delegates decided Congress would havea) two houses, one where each state had two senators and one with

seats awarded according to state populations.b) one house, in which each state had one vote. c) two houses, both with seats awarded according to state populations.d) one house, in which seats are awarded according to state populations.

What did the Constitutional Convention decide to do about the slave trade in the United States?

a) ban the slave trade in the entire nationb) do nothingc) allow each state to decide forever for itselfd) say Congress could not outlaw the slave trade for 20 years, then could

reconsider

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