Chapter 5

1. Chapter 5 Section 2: Drafting the Constitution

2. Nationalists Strengthen the Government • Shay’s Rebellion – Farmers, led by Daniel Shays, fought against the high tax placed on farmers • A stronger government had to be put into place to avoid abuse of power (example: too high of a tax) • The problem was the states did not want the federal government to have too much control over the states

3. Call for Convention • States were arguing over trade: • Taxes • Navigation rights • James Madison and Alexander Hamilton called a meeting with state delegates (leaders) to discuss issues of trade within states • Only 5 states came at first, but 12 went to the meeting after hearing about Shay’s Rebellion

4. Convention Highlights • All states met, except Rhode Island • Very hot, but windows were closed to keep the meeting confidential • Outstanding leaders and Americans were there • All voted to make George Washington the presiding officer

5. Conflict Leads to Compromise • Agreed the central government needs to be strengthened • Decided to create a new form of government instead of revising the Articles of Confederation

6. Big States Versus Small States • Wanted representation to be fair for larger states • James Madison’s Virginia Plan: • Two-house legislature • Membership based on state’s population • Voters elect members to lower house • Elected member elect upper house members

7. Big States Versus Small Statescontinued • Virginia Plan Reactions: • Small states said NO to giving more power to larger states with larger populations • Small states supported William Paterson’s New Jersey Plan: • One house • Each state had an equal vote

8. Big States Versus Small Statescontinued • Roger Sherman suggested the Great Compromise: • 2 house Congress for both the small and big states • Each state will have equal representation in the upper house, “more powerful house”, Senate • House of Representatives (lower house) may have more than on representative for each state, depending on its size • Citizens chose House representatives • House representatives chose Senate representatives

9. Big States Versus Small Statescontinued • The Great Compromise results: • Favored this government • Allowed voters to choose representatives • States rights are protected, no matter what the size

10. Slavery-Related Issues • Should slaves be counted as people? • Southern states wanted slaves to count because they had many slaves • Northern states disagreed • Three-Fifths Compromise: • Three-fifths of the state’s slaves will count • Congress can control trade except for slave trade

11. Creating a New Government • Has to work on dividing power between states and national government • Separated the national government’s power into 3 branches (levels or parts)

12. Division of Powers • Federalism – divided power between the national government and the state governments • In the Constitution, national government is called delegated/enumerated powers • Ex: control foreign affairs, providing national defense, controlling state trade, making money • State power is called reserved powers • Ex: providing and supervising education, creating marriage laws, regulating trade in a state • Both governments can tax, borrow money, and make courts.

13. Separation of Powers • Created 3 branches of government: • Legislative branch – makes laws • Executive branch – carry out laws (make sure laws are followed) • Judicial branch – interpret the law (decide if a person broke a law and give punishment) • Checks and balances – President has a lot of power, but the Senate must approve the president’s decisions

14. Separation of Powers continued • Voting was an issue • Communication about voting is hard • Not all citizens have enough knowledge to vote • Electoral college: • each state choose a number of electors equal to the number of representatives in Congress • This group will vote for the candidates

15. Creating the Constitution • Was created, but can be amended (changed) with amendments as needed • Was sent to Congress for the states approval