U.S.

Constitution

September 17, 1787

Constitutional Convention

In May 1787, representatives from the states met in

Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.
The representatives quickly agreed on throwing out
the Articles of Confederation.
Instead, they decided that a new national constitution
was needed.

Many notable framers at the Constitutional Convention

including:
Benjamin Franklin: 81 years old, (oldest
delegate) wise, and well respected.

George Washington: elected president of the

convention. Many thought that he would be able to
best control the debate.

Alexander Hamilton: a staunch advocate for a stronger

federal government. He had served as Washingtons
personal secretary during the Revolution.

James Madison
Constitutional Contributions:

Wrote down every speech

Known as the Father of the U.S. Constitution

Constitutional Convention, 1787

Absences: Thomas Jefferson was in France, Thomas

Paine was in England, Samuel Adams and John Hancock
were not invited and Patrick Henry refused to attend.
Benjamin Franklin was 81, the oldest delegate at the
Constitutional Convention.

Franklins body had not stayed as young as his mind. He suffered

from gout and from bladder stones. Franklin was carried to and
from the Convention everyday in a sedan chair.

Agreement, Disagreement, and Compromise

Compromise an agreement where each side settled.

Something accepted rather than wanted.

Great Compromise

A compromise between the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan

V.

Agreement, Disagreement, and Compromise

Great Compromise
A compromise between the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan
Congress would have 2 houses: the Senate and House of

Representatives
Determined how states would be represented in Congress
All laws needed the approval of both house of Congress

Congress
Senate

House of Reps.

Equal representation
2 senators per state

# of reps. depends on
states population

Agreement, Disagreement, and Compromise

Three-Fifths Compromise
A compromise between the Northern and Southern states on how
slaves should be counted.

Agreement, Disagreement, and Compromise

Three-Fifths Compromise
A compromise between the Northern and Southern states on how
slaves should be counted.

Agreement, Disagreement, and Compromise

Three-Fifths Compromise
A compromise between the Northern and Southern states on how

slaves should be counted.

The states compromised by agreeing to count every five slaves as
three free persons for both taxation and representation purposes.