Virginia or New Jersey Plan?

1. Virginia or New Jersey Plan? The Virginia Plan Favored by BIG STATES It called for PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION This plan would GIVE “BIGGER” STATES MORE VOTES IN CONGRESS Small states disliked this plan because IT WOULD GIVE BIG STATES THE POWER TO OUT-VOTE AND CONTROL THEM James Madison, from Virginia, wrote it!

2. William Paterson, from New Jersey, created this plan. The New Jersey Plan Favored by “SMALL STATES” It called for EQUAL REPRESENTATION This plan would GIVE ALL STATES AN EQUAL NUMBER OF VOTES IN CONGRESS Big states disliked this plan because IT GAVE SMALL STATES AS MUCH POWER AS BIG ONES. MORE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A BIGGER VOICE.

3. The Great Compromise The great compromise was worked out by ROGER SHERMAN who was a delegate at the national convention from CONNECTICUT. The Virginia plan “BIG STATES” *PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION” VS. The New Jersey Plan “SMALL STATES” *EQUAL REPRESENTATION

4. GOOD OL’ ROG "That is Mr. Sherman, of Connecticut, a man who never said a foolish thing in his life.”–THOMAS JEFFERSON I HAVE A PLAN THAT WILL SAVE US! Sherman proposed that the Legislative Branch, or law-making body (Congress) will have two houses: Upper House: WILL BE CALLED THE SENATE *BASED ON EQUAL REPRESENTATION *EACH STATE WILL HAVE 2 SENATORS. This made small states, like Rhode Island, VERY happy!

5. Lower House: WILL BE CALLED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES * BASED ON PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION * A STATE’S POPULATION DETERMINES HOW MANY REPRESENTATIVES IT HAS IN THE HOUSE. This made big states, like New York and Virginia, VERY happy! The Constitution called for a CENSUS, or count of the nation’s population every ten years. By counting the population, the government can determine the number of representatives a state should have in the House of Representatives.

6. The Preamble Protect freedoms Well being of the people. ..to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Create a system to unite and strenthen the country. We the people of the United States, in order to… Create a strong court system. Create a standing army to protect the country Allowing state militia/police to enforce laws.

7. The Constitution Separates the Government’s Power THE CONSTITUTION SEPARATES THE GOVERNMENT’S POWER TO PREVENT THE ABUSE OF POWER. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ROLE: MAKE LAWS AND TAX PEOPLE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ROLE: CARRIES OUT THE LAWS THE POTUS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. THE JUDICIAL BRANCH ROLE: INTERPRETS OR EXPLAINS LAWS. THE SUPREME COURT

8. Checks & Balances A SYSTEM OF “CHECKS AND BALANCES” IS BUILT INTO THE CONSTITUTION WHICH GIVES EACH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THE ABILITY TO LIMIT THE POWER OF THE OTHER TWO. • EXECUTIVE BRANCH • CAN VETO OR FORBID A LAW FROM TAKING EFFECT. • APPOINTS JUDGES TO THE SUPREME COURT. • LEGISLATIVE BRANCH • CAN IMPEACH AND POSSIBLY REMOVE THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE. • APPROVES ALL JUDGES WHO SIT ON THE SUPREME COURT. • JUDICIAL BRANCH • CAN DECLARE AND ACTION BY THE PRESIDENT UNCONSTITUTIONAL • CAN DECLARE A LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL

9. The First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Freedom of RELIGION – the government cannot promote or deny citizen’s religious beliefs. Freedom of SPEECH – the government cannot deny citizens their right to express themselves. Freedom of PRESS –the government cannot deny the press the right to inform people about news or information. Freedom of ASSEMBLY – the government cannot deny citizens the right to peacefully gather. Freedom of PETITION – the government cannot deny citizens the right to express concerns or ideas to themselves.