Constitutional Convention Guided Notes
U.S. History & Civics Philadelphia, 1787
Constitutional Convention Guided Notes
Follow the slide presentation to document the key debates, compromises, and constitutional principles.
Name:
Date:
Period:
Part 1: The Road to Philadelphia (Slides 1–4)
Why Revise the Articles?
- • The national government lacked the power to collect .
- • There was no national branch to enforce laws.
- • An uprising of debt-burdened farmers called Rebellion exposed national military weakness.
Convention Essentials
- • When & Where: Began in May 1787 at , Philadelphia.
- • Presiding Officer: Chosen unanimously to lead: .
- • "Father of the Constitution": Meticulous note-taker: .
- • Secrecy Rule: Windows were shut to allow delegates to speak without public pressure.
Part 2: The Great Debate Over Representation (Slides 5–8)
The Virginia Plan Large States
- • Proposed by:
- • Legislature type: (2 houses)
- • Basis of representation: Based upon each state's
- • Favored states with large populations because they would get votes.
The New Jersey Plan Small States
- • Proposed by:
- • Legislature type: (1 house)
- • Basis of representation: (equal votes)
- • Favored small states because all states held power regardless of size.
The Solution: The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) Proposed by Roger Sherman
Created a bicameral (two-house) Congress balancing both plans:
House of Representatives (Lower House)
Representation based on:
Appeased: Large States
Senate (Upper House)
Representation: Each state receives exactly senators
Appeased: Small States
Slide Checkpoint: Quick Analysis (Slide 8)
Why was compromise essential for the Constitutional Convention to succeed?
Unit 3: The Constitutional Convention Presentation Guide Page 1 of 2
Constitutional Convention Guided Notes (Part 2)
Debates over Enslavement, Commerce, and Convention Synthesis
Slides 9–14
Part 3: Slavery & Economic Compromises (Slides 9–11)
The Three-Fifths (3/5) Compromise
Southern Argument: Enslaved people should count toward congressional , but NOT for direct taxation.
Northern Argument: Enslaved people should count for , but NOT for congressional representation.
The Compromise: Every five enslaved individuals would be counted as persons for both congressional representation and taxation.
Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise
Congress could regulate trade and tax imports, but could NOT tax . Congress could not ban the importation of enslaved people until .
The Fugitive Slave Clause
Required northern states to return escaped enslaved people to their enslavers, embedding protections for slavery into Article of the Constitution.
Major Compromises Comparison Matrix
| Compromise | The Central Conflict | The Agreed Settlement |
|---|
| The Great Compromise | Large states wanted representation by ; small states wanted representation. | Bicameral Congress: House based on , Senate has per state. |
| Three-Fifths Compromise | South wanted enslaved people counted for ; North objected without taxation. | Counted of every 5 enslaved individuals for both seats and taxes. |
Part 4: Synthesis & Reflection Prompts
1. Slide Synthesis: Why did northern delegates agree to compromises protecting the slave trade and fugitive slave laws despite moral objections?
2. Essential Question: In your opinion, which compromise at the Constitutional Convention had the most lasting impact on the nation? Explain your reasoning.
Unit 3: The Constitutional Convention Presentation Guide Page 2 of 2
