Transcript Debate in Philadelphia

DEBATE IN
PHILADELPHIA
Chapter 10
Lesson 2
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
At the Constitutional Convention,
a group of leaders wrote the
Constitution, a new plan for a
stronger national government.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
In the same hall where George
Washington was appointed the
commander of the Continental Army
and the Declaration of Independence
was signed, 55 delegates meet again
to rewrite the first form of
government over this new nation.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
The delegates that arrived were among the
smartest men in the country, had fought in the
American Revolution, and had taken part in
writing their state’s constitutions.
George Washington was unanimously elected
leader of the convention.
They decided the work would be completed in
secret.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
 Read page 345
 What was the goal of the delegates?
 Do you think George Washington was the best
choice to lead the convention? Why or why not?
 Why did the delegates want to keep their work
secret?
THE VIRGINIA PLAN
 James Madison came up with the Virginia Plan
 This plan stated:
 Congress be given greater power over the states
 An executive branch be developed to carry out laws
created by Congress.
 A Judicial branch be created to interpret laws
Congress creates.
 Larger states should have more representatives in
Congress than smaller states. (This means a bigger
say in which laws are passed)
THE VIRGINIA PLAN
Do you think bigger states
should have more say in
what laws are passed and
not passed? Why do you
think so?
vs
THE NEW JERSEY PLAN
New Jersey was a small
state with a smaller
population.
The new Jersey plan said
that each state, large or
small, would have the
same number of
representatives in
Congress.
This would give all states
an equal voice in which
bills become laws.
LARGE STATES VS. SMALL STATES
The debate
over the New
Jersey Plan
and the
Virginia Plan
continued into
the summer
TIME TO READ
Read page 346
What are the points of view of both
the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
Which plan do you most agree with?
Why or why not?
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
House of
Representatives
Senate
To satisfy both the large states and the
small states, a compromise was formed.
Congress would be split into two houses:
The Senate would be formed by an equal
number of representatives from each state
The House of Representatives would
determine the number of representatives a
state gets by the size of the state’s
population.
ANOTHER PROBLEM TO SOLVE
Since the House of Representatives
would determine representatives based
on population, so slaves in the south
count toward that population?
ANOTHER PROBLEM TO SOLVE
Southern states wanted slaves to count
when it came to representation, but not
when it came to being taxed and would
cost the south more money.
ANOTHER PROBLEM TO SOLVE
Northern states, that did not have a large
slave population, objected.
Northern States
Southern States
THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE
Enslaved people would be
counted as part of the
state’s population for a
representative count.
Only 3/5ths of that total
number would go toward
the final population
count.
THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE
Congress also agreed not
to restrict the slave trade
for the next 20 years.
20 years later, Congress
voted to outlaw the
importing of slaves into
the United States.
THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE
Why do you think the
Congress agreed to wait
for 20 years when there
were states that thought
slavery was wrong?
TIME TO READ AND THINK
Read page 347
What were the important ideas of the
Great Compromise?
Why do you think the Three-Fifths
Compromise was accepted?
THINK ABOUT THE 2 PLANS
 Complete the Venn Diagram in your notes:
3/5
Compromise
The Great
Compromise
THE CONSTITUTION IS ADOPTED
LET’S HAVE SOME FUN
KID’S STUFF
THE PREAMBLE
The Preamble sets out the major goals:
to establish justice
to ensure peace
to defend the nation
to protect the people’s liberty and well
being
POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT
The national government can:
make laws about trade with other countries
make coins and paper money for the whole
country
establish the armed forces
enter into agreements with other countries
tax the states
RESERVED POWERS
These are powers that are left only for
the states:
managing education
overseeing elections
The Federal government and the states
share some powers:
managing roads
passing tax laws
THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
Legislative Branch
makes the laws
Congress
House of
Representatives
Senate
A bill must pass with 2/3 vote
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
 Executive Branch
 carries out the laws
Headed by the President
 Commands the armed forces
 Can veto laws passed by
Congress
 Appoints judges and Supreme
Court Justices
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
Judicial Branch
 decides what laws mean
 decides if laws follow the
Constitution
 can overturn laws that are
unconstitutional
 can overturn President’s
actions if they are
unconstitutional
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
The idea behind the three branches of
government was to separate the powers
of government and keep one branch
from getting too much power (like a
King)
TIME TO READ AND THINK
Read pages 348-350
Explain why the separation of powers
was the key to creating a new
government for the United States.