The Philadelphia Convention was convened in May 1787 to address problems in governing the United States under the Articles of Confederation. 55 delegates attended, though key figures like Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry did not. James Madison had called for revisions to improve the Articles of Confederation. The convention decided to create an entirely new constitution instead, keeping their discussions secret. They debated plans like the Virginia Plan, which proposed a strong national government, and the New Jersey Plan, which proposed keeping power with the states. Through compromise, they developed a new constitution with a balanced federal government consisting of three branches having checks on each other.

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?

20. Exit Card(s)
 What is “common good”?
 What is “civic virtue”?

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