Shay’s RebellionShay’s Rebellion 8/1786 – 7/17878/1786 – 7/1787 Caused by:Caused by:

– Weak economy.– Unfair taxation.– No government support for vets– Poor representation for farmers. New state

constitution limited voting to the wealthy– Farmers losing property for debt payment.– Debtor’s Jail

ImpactImpact Riot Act suspends habeas corpusRiot Act suspends habeas corpus Anti-Feds are forced to recognize Anti-Feds are forced to recognize

that the Confed needs to be changedthat the Confed needs to be changed Additional small rebellions convinced Additional small rebellions convinced

people that a stronger central state people that a stronger central state was neededwas needed

Jefferson Thought OtherwiseJefferson Thought Otherwise

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is its natural manure.”

Discuss the quote: not the manure part….

Constitutional Constitutional ConventionConvention

MembersMembersPrinciplesPrinciples

Agreements and Agreements and compromisescompromises

MembersMembers 55 delegates 55 delegates WhiteWhite MalesMales Statesmen, lawyers, planters. Statesmen, lawyers, planters.

bankers, businessmenbankers, businessmen Most under age 50Most under age 50

Absent Absent John Adams- ambassador to EnglandJohn Adams- ambassador to England Thomas Jefferson- ambassador to Thomas Jefferson- ambassador to

FranceFrance Patrick Henry- “smelled a rat”Patrick Henry- “smelled a rat” Sam Adams- not chosen by state to Sam Adams- not chosen by state to

be part of the delegationbe part of the delegation

Famous MembersFamous Members Alexander Hamilton- leader of strong Alexander Hamilton- leader of strong

governmentgovernment George Washington- chairman of the George Washington- chairman of the

conventionconvention James Madison- ‘father of the James Madison- ‘father of the

Constitution’Constitution’ Benjamin Franklin- oldest member at Benjamin Franklin- oldest member at

81 was also at the 281 was also at the 2ndnd Continental Continental CongressCongress

Read HofstadterRead Hofstadter After reading your text you were asked After reading your text you were asked

to characterize the men who attended to characterize the men who attended the Constitutional Conventionthe Constitutional Convention

Read Hofstadter and summarize his Read Hofstadter and summarize his arguments. How has his perspective arguments. How has his perspective either added to or changed your either added to or changed your original ideas? Be very specific original ideas? Be very specific

Principles of the ConstitutionPrinciples of the Constitution Checks and Balances- A political system Checks and Balances- A political system

in which branches of government have in which branches of government have some authority over the actions of the some authority over the actions of the other branchesother branches

Limited Government- the idea that Limited Government- the idea that government is not all powerful, but can government is not all powerful, but can only do what the people allow it to.only do what the people allow it to.

Principles of the ConstitutionPrinciples of the Constitution Federalism- the division of power Federalism- the division of power

between a central government and between a central government and statesstates– National levelNational level– State levelState level– Local levelLocal level

Principles of the ConstitutionPrinciples of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty- the people rule. Popular Sovereignty- the people rule.

The power of the government is based The power of the government is based on the consent of the governed.on the consent of the governed.

Separation of powers- the division of Separation of powers- the division of the government into three separate the government into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.judicial.

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises

All agreed that rights to property All agreed that rights to property should be protected.should be protected.

Ben Franklin proposed universal Ben Franklin proposed universal suffrage for all males, but most suffrage for all males, but most wanted only those with land to votewanted only those with land to vote

Most delegates favored a bicameral Most delegates favored a bicameral legislaturelegislature

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises Virginia Plan- favored by large statesVirginia Plan- favored by large states

– Proposed by James Randolph Proposed by James Randolph – Written by James MadisonWritten by James Madison– Endorsed by Alexander HamiltonEndorsed by Alexander Hamilton

government with a bicameral legislaturegovernment with a bicameral legislature– Large house elected by popular voteLarge house elected by popular vote– Smaller house chosen by larger house Smaller house chosen by larger house

members from nominees chosen by state members from nominees chosen by state legislatureslegislatures

– Number of Representatives based on wealthNumber of Representatives based on wealth

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises New Jersey Plan- favored by small New Jersey Plan- favored by small

statesstates– Proposed by William PatersonProposed by William Paterson– Unicameral houseUnicameral house– Each state one voteEach state one vote– Did not require a strong central Did not require a strong central

governmentgovernment

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise Aka: Connecticut CompromiseAka: Connecticut Compromise Bicameral house- benefit all statesBicameral house- benefit all states

– One house called SenateOne house called SenateMembers chosen by the state legislaturesMembers chosen by the state legislaturesEach state gets one voteEach state gets one vote

– One house called House of One house called House of RepresentativesRepresentativesMembers chosen by populationMembers chosen by populationNumber of members based on populationNumber of members based on population

CompromisesCompromises

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises Three-fifths clauseThree-fifths clause

– favors Southern statesfavors Southern states– All slaves would be counted in the All slaves would be counted in the

census for representation in the House census for representation in the House as 3/5thsas 3/5ths

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises Electoral CollegeElectoral College

– People chosen by the state legislaturesPeople chosen by the state legislatures– Vote for president and vice-presidentVote for president and vice-president– Supposed to reflect the will of the Supposed to reflect the will of the

peoplepeople

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises Slave and trade compromiseSlave and trade compromise

– Benefits both North and SouthBenefits both North and South– No taxes on exportsNo taxes on exports– No interference with the slave trade for No interference with the slave trade for

20 years 20 years

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises Amendment compromiseAmendment compromise

– 2/3 vote of each house of Congress and 2/3 vote of each house of Congress and ratified by ¾ of the state legislaturesratified by ¾ of the state legislatures

– 2/3 vote of both houses and ratified by 2/3 vote of both houses and ratified by state conventions of ¾ of the states state conventions of ¾ of the states (used 21(used 21stst amendment) amendment)

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises

– Proposed by a national constitutional Proposed by a national constitutional convention requested by 2/3 state convention requested by 2/3 state legislatures and ratified by ¾ state legislatures and ratified by ¾ state legislatures (never used)legislatures (never used)

– Proposed by the national constitutional Proposed by the national constitutional convention and ratified by ¾ of the convention and ratified by ¾ of the specially formed state conventionsspecially formed state conventions

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises Informal Amendments- broad Informal Amendments- broad

language allows for interpretation as language allows for interpretation as things and events change our countrythings and events change our country– Legislature- Commerce clause (art. 1 sec. Legislature- Commerce clause (art. 1 sec.

8)8)Legislation dealing with technology not even Legislation dealing with technology not even

thought of when the Constitution was written.thought of when the Constitution was written.

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises

– Executive – Executive – Presidents make executive agreements with Presidents make executive agreements with

other countries. other countries. Not a delegated powerNot a delegated powerDo not have to be ratified by the SenateDo not have to be ratified by the Senate

Agreements and CompromisesAgreements and Compromises

– Judicial- Judicial- Judicial review- the power of the court to Judicial review- the power of the court to

interpret the Constitution interpret the Constitution Judicial power to determine if a law is Judicial power to determine if a law is

unconstitutionalunconstitutional

Criticism of FoundersCriticism of Founders Beard’s criticism:Beard’s criticism:

– Founders interested in protecting Founders interested in protecting property- their ownproperty- their own

– All agreements based on their own All agreements based on their own economic welfareeconomic welfare

– Most scholars determine that the Most scholars determine that the criticism is false because the voting did criticism is false because the voting did not follow their own interests but those not follow their own interests but those of their stateof their state

Criticism of ConstitutionCriticism of Constitution Does not protect the rights of the Does not protect the rights of the

individualindividual Does not protect states rightsDoes not protect states rights Gives a central authority too much Gives a central authority too much

powerpower

Read GoldwinRead Goldwin Be prepared to discuss with detailBe prepared to discuss with detail