The Constitutional Convention

1. The Constitutional Convention Chapter 7 Sec 2

2. Convention • Purpose – to revise A of C • All states represented except Rhode Island • Delegates voted to keep debates secret because they wanted to be able to explore every issue without outside pressure

3. Government Leaders • George Washington – President of Convention and first President of Country • James Madison – Principal author of Constitution – took notes at convention – Father of Constitution • Edmund Randolph – proposed a plan for strong central government ( Virginia plan) representation based on population

4. Leaders cont. • William Paterson – introduced New Jersey Plan – equal representation for each state • Roger Sherman – drafted the Great Compromise – would satisfy large and small states • Ben Franklin – one of the most respected delegates to convention – wrote speech supporting constitution

5. Virginia Plan • Small states objected to plan – feared large states would out vote them

6. 3/5 Compromise • Gain for South – more seats in house • North agreed with compromise to keep the South in the Union • Blow to African Americans – preserved slavery

7. Slave Trade • North wanted to ban buying and selling of slaves anywhere in country • South feared southern economy would be ruined if slavery was outlawed • Compromise – trade would continue for only 20 more years outside of country

8. Preamble • Introduction to Constitution • Gouverneur Morris wrote it. • Starts with “We the People” meaning the power of the government comes from the people