3.2 Creating and Ratifying the Constitution

Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan

Great Compromise

Government w/3 branches

Legislative-makes laws

Executive Branch-carries out laws

Judicial branch-system of courts to interpret & apply the laws

Legislature divided into 2 houses

States representation based on population

Large states happy,small states unhappy

3 branches of governmentOne house legislature

Each state had one vote

Made states equal in power

Smaller states happy,larger states unhappy

Proposed by William Patterson

Constitutional Compromise

committee proposed 2 houses Senate equal in representation

House based on population

Proposed by RogerSherman of Connecticut

Designed by JamesMadison

2. Three-fifths Compromise – southern states wanted to count

slaves as part of population - for more voting power - northern states did not want this to

happen b/c they had fewer slaves - Compromise - every five slaves counted as

three free people

3. Other Compromises – Trade

- north wanted Congress to regulate trade

- south thought Congress would then tax exports

- feared damaged economy - end of slave trade

- compromise - Congress could regulate trade

between states and other countries, but could not tax

exports or interfere w/slave trade until 1808

Other Compromises-voting for president

- Electoral College - some felt Congress should select president - others felt citizens should select president - Compromise - group of people selected by state

legislatures to select president and vice president

- still used today except voters choose electors

4. ratifying the Constitution – 9/17/1787

- Gouverneur Morris headed a committee to write the

Constitution - each state needed a ratifying

convention to vote - 9 out of 13 would make the

Constitution the “Supreme Law of the Land”

5. Support – Federalists supported the Constitution and the idea of Federalism

- flaws w/Articles of Confederation - need for a stronger national government - Series of papers called The Federalist defended

the Constitution - Hamilton - Madison - Jay

6. opposition – anti-federalists against the Constitution and a strong National government

- not enough power for states - no bill of rights

7. agreement – Bill of Rights was added - 1st Ten Amendments to the Constitution