CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

FORMING THE CONSTITUTION

• In 1787, a convention was held in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.

• A new government was created instead.

Plans of Government• Two possible plans of government

were presented.

• One favored by the larger states and one favored by the smaller states. They argued over these plans.

Virginia Plan• Large state plan.• Would consist of 3

branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial).

• The legislative branch would be bicameral (2 houses) with both houses based on a state’s population.

National Government

Executive Legislative Judicial

House of Representatives Senate

Based on Population

New Jersey Plan

• Small state plan.• Would consist of 3

branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial).

• Legislative branch would have one house with each state having 1 vote.

National Government

Executive Legislative Judicial

Congress

Each State 1

Vote

Great Compromise

• A compromise is an agreement where both sides give up something and get something they want.

• In order to set up an effective government, the large and small states came to an agreement in which each side got a little of what they wanted.

Great Compromise

• Set up our present government.

• 3 branches of government.

• Legislative branch made up of two houses.

• Representatives in each house: One equal and one based on population.

National Government

Executive Legislative Judicial

House of Representatives Senate

# Based on State’s

Population

2 for each State

Executive Branch• Carries out the laws.• President• Serves a 4 year term.• Power to veto or reject laws.

Legislative Branch• Law making

branch.• Congress made

up of 2 houses.1. House of

Representatives- # based on state’s population

2. Senate- 2 for each state regardless of size

Congress

House of Representatives Senate

2 for each state

Number based on state’s population

Legislative Branch

• Power was equal in both houses.

• Exception: House of Representatives originates (starts) money bills (proposed laws).

Judicial Branch• Court system.

• Interprets laws.

• Supreme Court highest in the country.

Three-Fifths Compromise• States in the North and in the South could not

agree on how slaves would be counted in the population.

• It was decided that every 5 slaves would count as 3 people for taxation and representation purposes.