Constitutional Convention of 1787

1. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

2. FORMING THE CONSTITUTION
• In 1787, a convention was held in
Philadelphia to revise the Articles of
Confederation.
• A new government was created
instead.

3. Plans of Government
• Two possible plans of government
were presented.
• One favored by the larger states
and one favored by the smaller
states. They argued over these
plans.

4. Virginia Plan
• Large state plan.
• Would consist of 3
branches of
government
(executive,
legislative, and
judicial).
• The legislative branch
would be bicameral (2
houses) with both
houses based on a
state’s population.
National Government
Executive Legislative Judicial
House of Representatives Senate
Based on Population

5. New Jersey Plan
• Small state plan.
• Would consist of 3
branches of
government (executive,
legislative, and judicial).
• Legislative branch
would have one house
with each state having 1
vote.
National Government
Executive Legislative Judicial
Congress
Each
State 1
Vote

6. Great Compromise
• A compromise is an agreement where
both sides give up something and get
something they want.
• In order to set up an effective
government, the large and small states
came to an agreement in which each
side got a little of what they wanted.

7. Great Compromise
• Set up our present
government.
• 3 branches of
government.
• Legislative branch
made up of two
houses.
• Representatives in
each house: One
equal and one
based on
population.
National Government
Executive Legislative Judicial
House of Representatives Senate
# Based on
State’s
Population
2 for
each
State

8. Executive Branch
• Carries out the laws.
• President
• Serves a 4 year term.
• Power to veto or reject laws.

9. Legislative Branch
• Law making
branch.
• Congress made
up of 2 houses.
1. House of
Representatives-
# based on
state’s
population
2. Senate- 2 for
each state
regardless of
size
Congress
House of Representatives Senate
2 for
each
state
Number based on
state’s population

10. Legislative Branch
• Power was equal in both houses.
• Exception: House of Representatives
originates (starts) money bills
(proposed laws).

11. Judicial Branch
• Court system.
• Interprets laws.
• Supreme Court highest in the country.

12. Three-Fifths Compromise
• States in the North and in the South could not
agree on how slaves would be counted in the
population.
• It was decided that every 5 slaves would
count as 3 people for taxation and
representation purposes.