7.3 Big Idea

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What are the basic parts of the Constitution ?

Study Skills

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Vocabulary Terms

popular sovereignty federalism legislative executive judicial branch checks and balances Constitution Convention James Madison Virginia Plan William Patterson New Jersey Plan Great Compromise Three-Fifths Compromise

Ch7 Section 3 Constitution

Objective 1

- Explain why delegates met at the Constitutional Convention.

I. Constitutional Convention

A.

The Meeting A. Constitutional Convention held at Philadelphia’s State House in May 1787.

B. Called to discuss ways to improve the Articles of Confederation B.

The Delegates A. Every state but Rhode Island sent delegates, for a total of 55 B. Included James Madison, who took good notes and joined in many discussions.

Homework Quiz

• • • • • How many states and delegates were represented at the Constitutional Convention?

What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

Where was the Constitutional Convention held? (city, state, building) Who was the most influential delegate?

Name two famous men who were at the Constitutional Convention and two men that were not.

Important Questions

Why was the Constitutional Convention held?

 To discuss ways to improve the Articles of Confederation..

Ch7 Section 3 Constitution

Objective 2

- Examine the main issues debated and compromises that were reached at the Constitutional Convention.

II. Great Compromise

A.

B.

Several issues divided delegates, particularly along state and regional lines.

The Virginia Plan 1. The Virginia Plan, or large state plan, was written mainly by James Madison.

2. Called for new constitution that gave supreme power to central government.

3. Created three branches, including bicameral legislature in which representation was based on state population.

4. Opposed by small states, because larger states would have more representatives

II. Great Compromise cntd…

C.

New Jersey Plan was offered by New Jersey delegate William Paterson 1. Created a unicameral legislature, with each state receiving equal representation 2. Opposed by larger states, because smaller states would have more influence D.

A Compromise 1. Delegates eventually passed what had become known as the Great Compromise 2. Created a bicameral legislature, in which each state received equal representation in the upper house and population-based representation in the lower house

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Homework Quiz

What plan called for the legislative branch to be based on population?

• What was the compromise called that settled the dispute between large states and small states?

• Who presented the New Jersey Plan?

• How many houses did the Virginia Plan purpose?

• How many houses in the legislative branch did the compromise include and how would representation be determined?

– name of house- how many representatives

II. Three-Fifths Compromise

A.

Slavery and Representation A. Southern delegates wanted slaves to be counted for purposes of representation.

B. Northern delegates thought slaves should not be counted to determine representation but should be counted to determine taxes.

C. Under so-called Three-Fifths Compromise , each slave would be counted as three fifths of a person for purposes of representation.

B.

Foreign Slave Trade A. Southern and northern delegates disagreed over ending the foreign slave trade B. Under another compromise, northern delegates would wait 20 years before attempting to end foreign slave trade; southern delegates would not ask that laws in Congress require a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

Important Questions

How did the delegates resolve disagreements over slavery and representation?

Each slave would count as three fifths of a person for purposes of representation.

Homework Quiz

• How did delegates from Pennsylvania want to count slaves?

• How did delegates from Virginia want to count slaves?

• What did the two sides agree to do about the slave trade?

• What is the Three-Fifths Compromise about? (Slavery?) • If the Great Compromise was between large and small states, who was the Three Fifths Compromise between?

Ch7 Section 3 Constitution

Objective 3

- Describe how the federal governments balanced under the U.S. Constitution

IV. Our Living Constitution

A.

Constitution is based on popular sovereignty the idea that political authority belongs to the people.

B.

Also based on federalism make up a country.

- the sharing of power between a central government and the states that

V. A Delicate Balance

A.

Three Branches of Government 1. Legislative branch , or Congress, proposes and passes laws.

2. Executive branch , which includes the presidency and the departments, makes sure laws are carried out.

B.

3. Judicial branch , which includes all national courts, interprets laws.

System of checks and balances keeps any branch from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the other branches.

Important Questions

What are the responsibilities of the three branches of government?

1. Legislative branch -proposes and passes laws.

2. Executive branch - runs the government and makes sure laws are carried out.

3. Judicial branch - interprets laws

Homework Quiz

• What is the idea that political authority belongs to the people called?

• What is Federalism?

• Separation of Powers divides the government into three branches. What are they?

• What keeps any one branch from becoming to powerful?

• Name one main power that the Federal government has over the states.