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"