What was the purpose of the Annapolis Convention?
to discuss trade and taxation problems
How many states had delegates to show up to the Annapolis Convention?
5
Who was elected presiding officer of the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington
How do historians know what happened at the Constitutional Convention?
the notes of James Madison
Who proposed the Virginia Plan?
Edmund Randolph
Describe the Virginia Plan.
Who did the Virginia Plan benefit?
states with large populations
Who proposed the New Jersey Plan?
William Patterson
Describe the New Jersey Plan.
This was led by Ben Franklin and was mainly the idea of Roger Sherman. This proposed a two house Congress, where the first house was the House of Representatives based on population, and a second house, the Senate, based on equal representation. Voters would elect House of Representatives and the state legislatures would choose the senators.
Great Compromise
This was the solution for the south wanting slaves to count for representation while the north wanting them to count for taxation instead. This said that every 5 slaves would count as 3 free people for both taxation and representation. Congress agreed not to interfere with slave trade for 20 years and to not tax imports because of this.
Three-Fifths Compromise
rule by the people; what the Constitution was based on
popular sovereingty
ideology of dividing the government between the federal and state governments; created by a representative system of government
federalism
How does the Constitution guarantee checks and balances?
it’s designed to prevent any one of the three branches from being too powerful
What powers does the President hold?
What powers does Congress hold?
What powers does the Supreme Court hold?
To change the Constitution means to…
amend
How can the Constitution be amended?