Constitutional Convention:Issues and Final Product

Jump Start – Copy the Standard.

• Today’s objective: “Analyze the issues of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, including the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise.” (8.4D)

• Define compromise.• Describe a situation in which you have

made a compromise. (Everyone has given in at some point or another!)

Constitutional Convention of 1787

PreAP- Meet in the Middle

• With your partner, use the information sheet to research the background of each of the three major compromises of the Constitutional Convention • How Will States be Representation in Congress?• Should Slaves Count Towards a States’ Population?• Who Should Pick the Chief Executive?

• Before we discuss the actual compromises, you and your partner will draft your own ideas for compromise on each of the three issues

• Your compromise must include a plan for each of the three questions as well as an explanation of how this will compromise between both sides

• Constitution: a written framework for a government

• After witnessing Shay’s Rebellion, the delegates recognized the need for change.• A nation made up of many groups needs a

strong central government

What is the Constitution?Why did we need one?

Constitutional Convention 1787

• Began as a meeting to revise Articles

• Delegates quickly threw it out and began drafting the Constitution

• Secrecy was essential to keep from alarming or angering the public

Shared Beliefs vs. Clashing Views• Delegates had much in

common and all agreed on the basic purpose of government• Protect unalienable rights

• All agreed in creating a republican government• People exercise their power by

voting• Representatives then have the

power to make laws that govern the people

• It was on more specific issues that some disagreed

VA v. NJ

Populations in 1787

~ 747,000 ~ 184,000

Poll: What do you think?

Is it more fair for every state to have the same amount of power or for states with more people to have more power?All states should have the same

powerLarger states should have more

powerWhy?

Issues during the Convention of 1787• Issue #1:

• How would the states be represented in Congress?

• Explanation: • Under the Articles,

each state had one vote in Congress, but some wanted to change this.

• Virginia Plan: Called for 3 branches and two houses in Congress• The number of representatives in

the legislative branch would depend on population.

• Big states liked it, but small states did not.

• New Jersey Plan: 3 branches but only ONE house in Congress• The number of representatives in

the legislative branch would be equal.

• Small states liked it, but big states did not.

Issues during the Convention of 1787

• Resolution: The Great Compromise• Two house Congress

• House of Representatives is based on population

• Senate is equal with two per state

Great Compromise:

Legislative BranchHouse of

Representatives

Senate

Based on population

2 representative

s for each state

Virginia 1787

~ 747,000450,000

free300,000

slave

Total Population

Free Slave

Issues during the Convention of 1787• Issue #2:

• How should slaves be counted in representation?

• Explanation: • South: wanted slaves to be counted

as people = MORE VOTES• North: disagreed and wanted them

considered property• “then make them citizens and let them

vote”• Resolution:

• Three-Fifths Compromise- each slave was counted as 3/5 of a person when it came to population

Issues during the Convention of 1787• Issue #3:

• How would the president be elected?

• Explanation: • Appointed by Congress

• some people were worried that president would then be controlled by Congress

• Elected by the people• What if people only voted for someone

from their state? • Are they educated enough?

• Resolution:• Electoral College- electors would

elect the president and vice president every 4 years

• A state’s # of electors is = to their representatives in the House of Representatives

Jigsaw Puzzle Requirements

Issue: One sentence summarizing the issueEx. “The main issue of this compromise was…”

Disagreement: Groups opposed to each other (ex. North vs. South)What were the opposing opinions? (What did each sidwant?)

Compromise: What agreement did they settle on? Be sure to include the name of the compromise as well as a summary in complete sentences.

Picture/Symbol: Once you have answered the above questions, draw a picture to symbolize your compromise.

Jump Start- Fill in the Blanks

Name of Compromise

Opposing Sides Summary of Compromise

Great Compromise

3/5’s Compromise

Electoral College