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Lesson 2 Philadelphia Convention
1. Lesson 2 Philadelphia Convention
Bellringer: What were the problems with
the Articles of Confederation?
2. “These things happened. They were glorious and
they changed the world... and then we screwed
up the endgame.”
55 “Framers” at the Philadelphia
Convention. Who is missing?
3. Guiding Questions
What was included in the Virginia Plan?
How did the goals of the Convention
change?
4. Philadelphia Convention
Philadelphia Convention
May 14 – September 17,
1787
Address problems in
governing the US
The US had independence,
but was not a nation
Rebellions
Anarchy
5. Call for Change
Many felt the Confederation needed to be
changed
James Madison called for a meeting to revise
or improve the Articles
Madison is referred to as the “Father of the
Constitution”
The Convention ended up creating a new
constitution and a stronger national government
6. Call for Change
55 delegates came to Philadelphia;
Washington was chosen as the presiding
officer
Starting goal was to improve and advise, but the
goal quickly changed
“Framers”; framed or shaped the constitution
Decided to change the constitution and keep the
meeting secret
Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry did not attend
No women, African Americans, or Native Americans
7. Post-War Problems
13 very different states made up the US
Each state had their own constitution
May 1176, the Continental Congress requested all
the states draft their own constitutions
All made different constitutions
8. State Constitutions
The states were very wary of one party having
too much power
Drafted constitution to limit power in the hands of a
single ruler
Pennsylvania set up a council of 12
States divided power between the governor (or
executive leader) and the legislature (i.e. the
Congress)
Hosted frequent elections
9. Studying the Past
Madison studied and
prepared for the
convention
Look at past governments
Came up with the Virginia
Plan
Republics vs.
Democracies
Republics; elected officials
Democracies; power to the
people
“Representative
Democracy”; power derived
10. Rome
Rome
2000 years ago
Elected representatives
No king
All classes had a say in
government
Representatives worked for the
“common good”
11. Republics
Benefits
Worked towards a common
good
People had a say
Representatives were
responsible to the people
Disadvantages
Worked best in small
communities
Hard to utilize in diverse
groups
Naturally divides people into
factions which would only
fight, not work for common
12. Madison
Madison
Madison determined republics were weaker than
monarchs because Kings and Queens could make
decisions quickly
US needed a strong national government
Needed some type of leadership without the misuse of
power
Checks and balances
13. Virginia Plan
Virginia Plan
Strong national government
2 governments (state and national)
National government could make and enforce laws
National government could tax
3 branches
2 houses; one proportional to state size and the
other equal representation
Madison had a coalition backing him
Those who opposed the Virginia Plan came up with the
New Jersey Plan
14. New Jersey Plan
New Jersey Plan
Weak national government
1 house with equal representation
National government could tax and regulate trade
2 branches
Created by small states
15. Convention Continues
Convention agreed it must go beyond
amending the Articles and instead produce a
new constitution
The new national government would have the
powers of the Confederation, as well as the power
over the state
Next step was choosing a plan
16. Making Decisions
Delegates voted in the
Virginia Plan and began to
modify it
INTENSE debate
State representation; equal
or proportional?
Slaves; property to be taxed
or people who counted
towards the state’s
population
Would the executive be 1
person or more
17. Making Decisions
Compromise
Great Compromise; 2
houses in legislative
branch
Senate; equal representation
House of Representatives;
proportional
3/5 Compromise; slaves
counted as 3/5 of a
person
3/5 as productive as a free
person
Other decisions
Bicameral; 2 houses
Elections; electoral
18. Making Decisions
Agreed the government should . . .
Be a constitutional government with limited powers
Serve to protect the fundamental rights of the people
and the common good
Be stronger to protect rights
Be a republican form of government
Have a series of checks and balances
Have a separation of power
Adjourned to let the Committee of Detail work
on the first draft of the Constitution
19. Civic Virtue
“Civic Virtue”; citizens and leaders put aside
private interests for the common good
Is this happening today?
How virtuous are our current politicians?
Are we working towards a common good?
Read article “Continuing Deadlock in
Congress May Boost State Power”
Are we following the Framers plan?
How can we fix this?
21. Building a Country
Create your own country with your group
Decide what type of country you would have
Constitution
Type of Government
Taxes
Laws
Write a basic outline like the Virginia Plan