The 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.

"Father of the Constitution," Federalist leader, and fourth President of the United States.

1st President of the United States; President of the Constitutional Convention, and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1732-1799)

First Secretary of the Treasury. He advocated for the creation of a national bank. He was a United States statesman and leader of the Federalists.

American enlightenment figure. Printer, author, inventor, diplomat, statesman, and Founding Father. One of the few Americans who was highly respected in Europe, primarily due to his discoveries in the field of electricity. Secured French support during the American Revolution.

Group of delegates who drafted the United States Constitution at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787

Initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states.

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.

This compromise was between the large and small states of the colonies. The Great Compromise resolved that there would be representation by population in the House of Representatives, and equal representation would exist in the Senate. Each state, regardless of size, would have 2 senators. All tax bills and revenues would originate in the House. This compromise combined the needs of both large and small states and formed a fair and sensible resolution to their problems.

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment)

Congress was forbidden the power to tax the export of goods from any state. It was also forbidden to act on the slave trade for a period of 20 years.

A group who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1787. They opposed a strong central government (tyranny) and supported states' rights. "I smell a rat!"

Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.

The minimum number of members who must be present to permit a legislative body to take official action.

To create an entirely new constitution, instead of amending the Articles of Confederation.

Writings by European Thinkers, the Framer's own experiences, ideas from the Article's, and State Constitutions.

The ratification process was unusual because the unanimity was not required to ratify. However the government needed more than nine states to ratify to ensure its survival.

twenty-seven (27)

seven (7)

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