Constitutional Convention
Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison to defend the Constitution
Constitutional Convention (1787)
A meeting of state delegates in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. It instead designed a new plan of government- the US Constitution.
George Mason
Anti-Federalists who wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution
Virginia Plan
Big State Plan- representation in Congress based on population.
Three Fifths Compromise
Each slave counted as three fifths of a person.
Great Compromise
Each state has 2 votes in the Senate. Votes based on population in the House of Representatives.
ratification
Formal approval
Southern States view on representation
Had MANY slaves, thought they should count for representation
Northern States view on representation
Had few slaves, thought they should NOT be counted for representation
Founding Fathers
Key contributors to the Declaration of Independence & Constitution. Models of civic virtue. Ex: Washington, Franklin, Jefferson
Anti-Federalists
Opposed the ratification of the Constitution because it gave more power to the federal government and less to the states. Many wanted to keep the Articles of the Confederation. Instrumental in obtaining passage of the Bill of Rights as a prerequisite to ratification of the Constitution in several states. Ex: Patrick Henry("I smell a rat!") & George Mason
New Jersey Plan
Small State Plan- unicameral (one house) legislature in which all states would have an equal number of votes
Federalist
Supporters of the Constitution led by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Believed the national government should be STRONG.
100
Total number of Senators (2 per state)
435
Total number of members of the House of Representatives (based on population)
James Madison
Wrote the Bill of Rights to please the Anti-Federalist. "Father of Constitution"