WARM UP

①  Using the information from yesterday or new information collected using your iPad create a bubble map on the Constitutional Convention

②  Include people, dates, locations, facts and other information

The Constitutional Convention

New Government Needed I.  Shay’s Rebellion demonstrated the problems with

the A of C A.  No power to tax, no standing army, no chief executive B.  An army of farmers in Massachusetts nearly overthrew the

American government

II.  The new nation is very close to failure in the beginning

III.  Calls for a new government grew louder as the American people realized the failures of the A of C

Annapolis Convention I.  A of C are ineffective II.  Annapolis Convention

called in 1786 A.  Only five states show up B.  Representatives agree the

USA must strengthening the national government

III.  Shay’s Rebellion

convinces the other 8 colonies that change is needed!!!

Constitutional Convention

I.  1787 12 States sent delegates to Philadelphia, PA to fix the A of C

A.  Rhode Island did not go…they did not want a stronger central government

II.  This meeting became known as the Constitutional Convention

A.  The USA will get rid of the ineffective A of C and put in place a new stronger government

Constitutional Convention I.  Began May 25, 1787 à ended Sept. 17, 1787 II.  Met in Independence Hall à Philadelphia, PA

A.  Same place as D.O.I III.  The 55 delegates:

A.  Well-educated, intelligent, politicians B.  George Washington, Alexander Hamilton &

Benjamin Franklin & George Mason C.  John Adams & Thomas Jefferson – not attending

Procedures of the Convention I.  George Washington was elected to preside

over the convention (president)

II.  Each state was only allowed one vote III.  Majority votes from all states made decisions

à 7 out of 13 IV.  All discussions were a secret! Why…?

A.  This way the delegates could speak freely, without worry about how the public would react

The End of the A of C I.  Articles of Confederation

were thrown away

II.  The delegates decided to write a completely new constitution

A.  Constitution = plan of government (how to manual)

Constitutional Conflict

I.  Discussions began on how to structure the newly created government for the U.S.A.

II.  Monarchy, Democracy, Republic, Oligarchy & Aristocracy were all proposed and discussed

III.  The majority of delegates agreed that a republic was the best decision but disagreed on the structure & function of the government

I.  Big States A.  Though it was unfair

that states with less people have the same pull as large states.

B.  If you have more people you get more say.

I.  Small States A.  We all are equal states

and parts of this republic we should have the same amount of say on the federal level.

Representation I.  The major disagreement between states was

the issue of representation (power/control) in the new national government

Virginia vs. New Jersey

Two Opposing Plans

VS.

Constitutional Convention I.  Virginia Plan

A.  3 Branches of government (Legislative, Executive & Judicial)

B.  Bicameral (two house/part) legislative branch

C.  Lower house elected by people & Upper house elected by lower house

D.  Seats in both determined by state population size

E.  Executive chosen by legislature & serves a single term

F.  National judiciary is chosen by legislature and serves life terms

G. Supported by large states (more people = more votes = more power

Constitutional Convention

I.  New Jersey Plan (William Paterson)

A.  3 Branches of government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)

B.  Unicameral (one house/part) legislative branch

C.  Each state gets equal representation

D.  Legislature elects executive E.  Executive selects national

judiciary F.  Supported by small states

(everyone is equal = won’t be controlled by large states)

Constitutional Convention I.  Connecticut Compromise or

Great Compromise (Roger Sherman) A.  3 Branches of government

(Legislative, Executive & Judicial) B.  Bicameral (two house/part)

legislative branch i.  One house based on equal

representation (small states) ii.  One house based on state

populations (large states) C.  Large and small states are

satisfied that their power is protected

I. Lower House

A.  House of Representatives

B.  Determined by population

C.  2 year terms D.  Favored larger states

II. Upper House A.  Senate B.  Equal representation C.  6 year terms D.  Favored smaller states

The Connecticut Plan

Constitutional Convention I.  The delegates at the Constitutional Convention decided

that population would determine how many representatives states received in the lower house

A.  More people = more representative B.  More representatives = more power

II.  That in turn raised the question as to who should count as part of the population

III.  Particularly the issue of should slaves count as part of a state’s population

A.  Southern states à want slaves to count à more representatives à more power

B.  Northern states à don’t want slaves to count à southerners don’t treat them like people à don’t want southern states to have more power

Three-Fifths Compromise I.  Slaves would be

counted as 3/5 of a person when determining how much representation a state got for Congress

Constitutional Convention I.  The Great Compromise created a national executive

(POTUS) II.  The Constitutional Convention now needs to determine

how the U.S.A. should elect this president A.  Some delegates believe Congress should select the

president B.  Some delegates believe the people should elect the

president III.  The two sides compromised and created the Electoral

College A.  States are given votes based on population (# of

representatives + senators = votes for president) B.  People vote in state elections and select people who vote for

president (keeps the people from electing an idiot as president)

Finished Constitution I.  September 17, 1787, finished up the

Constitution II.  Delegates signed it, said the

Constitution would become the law of the land when… I.  9 out of 13 states ratified (approved) it