10/23/14 Sarah LeBoeuf POLS 1113 Dr. George Black The Constitutional Convention The Constitutional Convention took place secretly in place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 25 to September 17, 1787. Some well-known delegates who attended include George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. After much discussion, the 55 delegates decided to completely new articles rather than attempt to revise the Articles of Confederation. Governor Edmund Randolph proposed The Virginia Plan, also called the Large State Plan, at the convention. This proposal took into account many of James Madison’s opinions. Randolph proposed the use of a bicameral legislature, with the people electing the lower house, and the lower …show more content…
Pickney wanted a treaty among the 13 states. He also proposed having a bicameral legislature, with a Senate and a House of Delegates. The House would have one representative for every one thousand citizens. The House would elect Senators who would serve for four years and preside over one of four regions. Congress would meet to elect a President and appoint members of the cabinet. Congress would work as the court of appeal of last resort in disputes between states. Pinckney also proposed having a supreme Federal Judicial Court. William Paterson proposed the New Jersey Plan, also known as the Small State Plan. The existing Continental Congress would remain, but it would be given new powers, such as the power to charge taxes and force their collection. An executive branch would be elected by Congress. The executives would serve a single term and were subject to recall should the state governors demand. The executives would also appoint a judiciary that would serve for life. Paterson also proposed that any laws made by Congress would take precedence over state …show more content…
Sherman proposed having a two-house national legislature of the Virginia Plan, but proposed that the first house would be comprised of representatives according to the geographical number of citizens, but that in the second house (Senate) each state would get one vote. Sherman’s plan was critiqued and eventually accepted. In the final draft of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin added the condition that revenue bills originate in the house, and that state delegates could vote as free agents. The Senate would give the government a federal character, not because senators were elected by state legislatures, but because each state was equally represented. The government would have three branches; a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary. The legislative branch would be composed of the House and Senate (Congress). The legislative branch would be responsible for making all laws, declaring war, regulating interstate and foreign commerce and controlling taxing and spending policies. The executive branch would be composed of the President, his or her advisors and various other departments. This branch would be responsible for enforcing the laws. The Judicial branch would contain the courts, including the nine justices who make up the highest court (the Supreme Court). According to the Constitution, "[t]he judicial Power of the United