5.2
Understand the reasons leaders called for theConstitutional Convention.
Summarize the rival plans of government proposed atthe convention.
Describe the compromises made in order to reachagreement on the Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention
Rival Plans of Government
Settling Differences Through Compromise
Read 5.2
In a concept web write details about each plan orcompromise that led to the creation of the UnitedStates Constitution.
By 1787 most Americans Agreed that the Articles ofConfederation needed at least two major changes.
1- Almost everyone wanted Congress to have the powerto regulate interstate and international commerce.
2- Most Americans also supported granting Congressthe power to tax the people.
The Federal Convention opened in what is now knownas Independence Hall on May 25, 1787.
These proceedings were very secretive so that thedelegates could speak freely. They even closed thewindows of the Independence Hall to prevent peoplefrom the outside listening in. (this was during one ofthe hottest summers)
The convention’s leading thinkers were AlexanderHamilton and James Madison.
Their goal was to try and create a very strong NationalGovernment that used democratic and republic ideals.
They wanted this government to be large so that therewas a variance opinions and culture.
The Virginia Plan- Three branches of government-legislative, executive, and judicial. Also a bicamerallegislature with a House of Representatives and aSenate. The states with larger population would havemore members. This plan also included a strongPresident. Seven year term with no re-election.
The New Jersey Plan- gave Congress the powers toregulate commerce and to tax. Still had a unicamerallegislature, states having equal representation nomatter the size and they had executive committee.
The Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromisewas a mix of the Virginia and New Jersey Plan.
The Compromised based the government off theconstitution. Then, the executive branch with a strongpresident. Nest the legislative branch with a house ofrepresentatives and a Senate of equal representationfrom each state. Finally, the Judiciary branch heldfederal courts.
Could not block the import of slaves into the UnitedStates for 20 years.
The south had to be represented in the House basedon total population.
Fugitives slaves that went to free states were notconsidered free and had to be returned to theirmasters.
