Ch. 5.2 Drafting the Constitution

MAIN IDEA

At the Philadelphia convention in 1787, delegates reject the Articles of Confederation and create a new constitution.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW

The constitutional convention formed the plan the government that the U.S. still has today.

Shay’s Rebellion

• Proved weakness of A.o.Confederation.

• 1786-1787, Daniel Shay organizes farmers.

-Farmers are losing farms.

• G. Washington calls for a stronger central government.

Call for Convention• 5 states send delegates to

meeting on interstate trade (1786).

• After Shay’s Rebellion 12 states to join.

• James Madison of VA.

-Father of the Constitution

-Central Government made up of three branches.

-Executive, Judicial, and Legislative.

What Happen?• May 1787, 55 delegates meet at Pennsylvania State

House.

-Windows shut to prevent eavesdropping.• Washington elected presiding officer.

Virginia Plan

• James Madison’s, Bicameral Legislature

-Two houses, a lower and an upper house.

-Based on each state’s population.

-Benefitted large states.

New Jersey Plan

• William Paterson’s Plan

-Single house Congress.

-One vote per state.

-Benefitted smaller states.

The Great Compromise• Roger Sherman’s Bicameral Congress.• Senate- giving each state equal

representation. • House of Representatives-representation

by population.• Representation.

-Northern states, slaves for taxes not house.

-Southern states, slaves for house not taxes.

Three-Fifths Compromise

• Proposed that three-fifths of a state’s slaves be counted for representation.

• Congress power to regulate foreign trade.

• Cannot interfere with slave trade for 20 years.

Federalism

• Division of power between national and state government.

• Has delegated or enumerated powers.

-Handles foreign affairs, defense, interstate trade, and money.

State Powers

• Called reserved powers.

-Handles education, marriage laws, trade within state.

• Shared powers include right to tax, borrow money, and establish courts.