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Chapter 8 Creating the Constitution

Chapter 8 Creating the Constitution. C8.2 Early Quarrels and Accomplishments. States quarreled. about taxes on goods traded about state boundaries. Land Ordinance 1785. agreement/law about western lands divided into 6 mile squares (townships) townships had 36 sections of 640 acres each

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Chapter 8 Creating the Constitution

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  1. Chapter 8 Creating the Constitution

  2. C8.2 Early Quarrels and Accomplishments States quarreled • about taxes on goods traded • about state boundaries

  3. Land Ordinance 1785 • agreement/law about western lands • divided into 6 mile squares (townships) • townships had 36 sections of 640 acres each • one section for schools • other sections sold to settlers

  4. Northwest Ordinance 1787 • law that divided NW Territory into smaller territories • territories became states: - 5,000 free men elect a legislature - population is 60,000 • had list of rights for settlers • slavery was banned in NW

  5. C8.3 Shays’s Rebellion Money problems • paper money was worthless • not enough gold or silver to mint coins • states made their own money • too many kinds • not worth much • hard to trade

  6. Farmers rebel • MA farmers unable to pay debts & taxes • courts took their land & livestock • Daniel Shays was an unpaid war veteran • he led a rebellion • rebels took over courts • tried to seize weapons in arsenal

  7. Government’s response • no Continental Army • federal government had no power to get involved • MA state government sent state militia • 5 killed, many wounded • over 1000 arrested • trial set most free • 2 were hanged

  8. Results of the rebellion • showed U.S. government was weak • need to fix the Articles of Confederation • decided to have a constitutional convention

  9. C8.4 Opening the Constitutional Convention When & Where • summer 1787 • Philadelphia, PA • Independence Hall

  10. Purpose • fix the Articles of Confederation • instead decided to write a new constitution • wanted more power to the national (federal) government

  11. Delegates • 55 men from 12 states (no RI) • George Washington was president of the convention • two-thirds were lawyers • one-third owed slaves • James Madison called “Father of the Constitution” -took over 600 pages of notes - most involved delegate • had a rule of secrecy

  12. Shared Beliefs • purpose of govt. is to protect people’s rights • govts. come from the people (“consent of the governed”) • ideas of Enlightenment thinkers • liberty & equality • best govt. is a republic

  13. Concerns • Who should vote? • How powerful should the national govt. be?

  14. C8.5 Issue: How should states be represented in the new government? Proposal The Virginia Plan Proposal The New Jersey Plan • 3 branches of govt. • Congress has 2 houses • representation based on population • large states get more reps. • 3 branches of govt. • Congress has 1 house • each state gets the same votes

  15. C8.6 Resolution: The Great Compromise • 3 branches of govt. • two-house Congress • House of Representatives based on population (big states get more reps.) • Senate, each state gets 2 votes (2 senators)

  16. C8.7 Issue: How should slaves be counted? The South The North • wanted slaves counted in a state’s population • had the most slaves • get more reps. if slaves counted • don’t count slaves for representation • only count slaves as property to be taxed • only count free people for representation

  17. C8.8 Resolution: The Three-Fifths Compromise • count each slave as three-fifths of a person • slave trade could continue for 20 years until 1808 • fugitive slave law – escaped slaves had to be returned to owners

  18. C8.9 Issue: How should the chief executive be elected? Areas of Agreement Areas of Disagreement • should have one leader called a president • four year term (no king) • Vice President • some wanted Congress to choose leader • some thought people should elect the president • some wanted president chosen by a group of electors

  19. C8.10 Resolution: The Electoral College • group called Electoral College elects Pres. & VP • made of electors from each state • state electors = # of senators and reps. of the state • electors vote in Dec. • vote for who won their state • need majority vote to win (270 today)

  20. C8.11 The Convention Ends • ratify = approve • needed 9 states to ratify Constitution • 38 delegates signed the Constitution • 17 delegates refused to sign it • gave too much power to national govt. • did not protect people’s rights

  21. C8.12 The Constitution Goes to the Nation Federalists Anti-Federalists • supporters of the Constitution • for a strong national govt. • The Federalist Papers: articles urging states to ratify the Constitution • opponents of the Constitution • fears • Congress would over-tax • President would be like a king • did not list specific rights of people • states might lose power

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