Constitutional Convention

From Conservapedia

The Constitutional Convention was held between May and September of 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss problems with the Articles of Confederation. Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, George Mason, and a others, a total of fifty five elite statesmen, attended the conference. Absent were John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Patrick Henry.

Rather than revise the current Articles, Madison promptly declared that any confederacy was doomed to failure. Convincing the other delegates to start anew, under Madison's leadership they created the Constitution.

Contents 1 Conflicts 1.1 Representation 1.1.1 Virginia Plan 1.1.2 New Jersey Plan 1.1.3 Connecticut Compromise 1.2 National vs State Government 1.2.1 Nationalists 1.2.2 State's Rightists 1.2.3 Solution 1.3 Counting of Slaves for Representation and Taxation 1.3.1 Northern States 1.3.2 Southern States 1.3.3 Three-Fifths Compromise 1.4 Other Compromises

Conflicts

Representation

Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan proposed representation based on population, giving larger states more power than smaller states. It called for a bicameral legislature with a lower house elected from citizens of each state, and an upper house elected by members of the lower house.^[1] This legislature was able to veto laws passed by states. It was responsible to choose the national executive. The larger states supported this plan.

New Jersey Plan

The New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with one vote per state, and a simple revision of the Articles. The smaller states supported this plan, as it gave them more power.

Connecticut Compromise

Also known as the Great Compromise, this established a bicameral legislature (Congress). The upper house (Senate) was to contain two votes per state, with Senators chosen by state legislatures. The lower house (House of Representatives) was based on population, with representatives chosen by the people. The Great Compromise also called for the Articles to be completely replaced.

National vs State Government

Nationalists

These delegates, notably Hamilton, wished to see most power in a central government.

State's Rightists

The State's Rightists wished the power to be with the states. Mason was one of these.

Solution

Federalism was adopted, which provided a supreme national government that shares power with sovereign states.

Counting of Slaves for Representation and Taxation

Northern States

Wished to count slaves for taxation purposes, but not representation purposes.

Southern States

Wished to count slaves for representation purposes, but not taxation purposes.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for both taxation and representation.

Other Compromises

Electoral College, Judicial Power