The Creation of the American Constitution

1. The Creation of the American Constitution Mr. Phipps U.S. History

2. Motivations for Independence Supporters for Independence

3. The Players • Radical Patriots: Colonists wanting independence from Britain and to create a new system • Moderate Patriots: Colonists wanting reform • Conservative Patriots: Colonists wanting consistency, mostly wealthy • Loyalists: Supporters of Britain, lost most of property during Revolution • Native Americans: Supporters of Britain, feared a new government • African Americans: Wanted freedom, but supported Britain On paper: What group would you most likely fit in? Why?

4. Reasons for Independence • Alienation from Britain • Colonists had been separated for 3+ generations • Identified with fellow colonists, rather than England, 3000 miles away • Desire to create laws reflecting colonial interests • Fundamental cultural and social differences from England • Religious differences: Colonists more secular • Dietary: Better quality of food, more nutritious • Social: Land availability for average person

5. Other Reasons • Colonists wanted economic independence • Wanted to trade with everyone for profit • Wanted taxes to be spent in colonies, not on British (foreign) wars • Protect colonial business/small manufacturing • Wanted an end of George III’s tyranny

6. Immediate Concerns • Excessive taxation: Colonists were taxed on sugar, tea, all paper goods, playing cards, travel (sparked the coffee revolution, smuggled from Africa through S. Carolina) • Forced to house soldiers • Boston Harbor closed: merchants lost money • No public assembly: no groups in church, pubs, people’s houses, outside • Speech and press limited On paper: What is the most compelling reason to rebel?

7. Colonial Response • Boston Tea Party: active protest against Britain • Was a staged event, used as a publicity stunt On paper: What happened during the Boston Tea Party? What is the popular story?

8. The Boston Massacre: A Hero’s Protest • Unruly mob attacked British soldiers • Exchanged snowballs for bullets • Was brutally suppressed by British • “Patriots”, such as Crispus Attucks considered a martyr for the cause of independence

9. Martyrs or Mobsters? Note: Differing perspectives of Boston Massacre, popularly represented to add fuel to the fire of independence. Create a T-Chart in your notes comparing the two pictures. Find at least 5-7 differences.

10. A riot!

11. A Call for Action • First Continental Congress, Philly 1774 • Collected best minds of the generation • Seek solutions for British “abuses”: • Boycotts • Unity through inter-colonial communication • Issue Declaration of Rights and Grievances (a pre-D. of I.) • Create cottage industries: spelling bees, coffee circles, etc. • Result: Totally ineffective

12. The Midnight Ride • British response to 1st C.C. • British send in the troops • Begin march on Lexington and Concord to stop riots • Patriots warned by Paul Revere and Billy Dawes

13. A Call for Action, part deux The Second Continental Congress, Philly 1775 • Goals: • Respond to battles at Lexington and Concord • Mobilize a military (no standing army, no guns except for hunting) • Nominate a general (Gen. George Washington, the only one with experience) • Find $$$$ and supplies for war (whatever people could donate) • Get foreign support from France (send Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to bum for cash)

14. The Odds Against the Patriots • The Problems: • Civil war within colonies • Internal disagreement with procedure • No food • No business • No $$$ • Constant fighting with Native Americans • Restless slaves and indentured servants in the South

15. A Declaration • Draft #1: written by Richard Henry Lee in June, 1776 • Goals • Independence from Britain • Join together • Make foreign friends • The problem: too weakly worded

16. The Declaration • T.J. was given task to rewrite a declaration of independence because of his eloquence • Remained in Philly, despite a very sick wife • Submitted document for corrections in June • Signed by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776

17. The Declaration of Independence • Part I: The Rights of Man, and why they should have them (Locke, etc) • Part II: The Reasons (complaints against the king) • Part III: The declaration of the United States of America On your paper, summarize the basic philosophy behind the D. of I.

18. The Declaration of Independence, John Trumbull On your paper: What is the controversy behind this painting?

19. 1st C.C.: UNIFY, DISCUSS 2nd C.C.: CONDEMN, INDEPENDENCE 3rd C.C.: ORGANIZE, CONFEDERATE Summary

20. A Call for Congress: The 3rd Continental Congress • Purpose of the 3rd Continental Congress: To Build a New Government (if the Revolution works, and not everyone is dead) • To write a constitution: The Articles of Confederation • Join all colonies as a United Confederation • Allow for each state to be independent • All decisions made by a Congress of state delegates • All decisions agreed by 2/3 majority

21. The Problems with Confederation • Membership was voluntary • No taxation, and therefore no money • No common defense, military (for the Revolution, or after) • No way of dealing with internal problems • No way to enforce ANYTHING • =A nice idea, but worthless

22. The Father of the Constitution James Madison • Brought 56 delegates together to “rewrite” the A. of C. • Strengthen and unify a central government • Divide power into three branches • Elect officials directly through popular vote

23. The Issues • Would a strong central government become another tyrant over the people? • Should people rule themselves, or should the federal (central) government make decisions for everybody? • Should representation be based on population (and favor large states) or be equal (and favor small states)? • Should slaves be considered people, and factor into population count?

24. Ratify or Die • Delegates gathered for 100 days in Philly • All sessions were closed door • All information was secret • During the worst part of a heat wave

25. Small State Plan/New Jersey Plan Representation equal for all states Create equality between states Large State Plan/Virginia Plan Representation based on population Those who do the most work get the most goodies The Sticking Points: Population Resolution: The Great Compromise Create two houses/bicameral: Every state gets two senators (Senate); Every state gets representatives based on population (House of Representatives)

26. The North Slaves should NOT count as population Would give too much power to South Would be hypocritical to ideal of “life, liberty, happiness”, and rights for all The South Slaves MUST count as population Would give the South some much needed power Slaves required for entire American economics The Sticking Points: Slavery The Resolution: The 3/5 Compromise Each slave equals 3/5 of a white person, creates a balance of power in Congress.

27. The Constitution • Totally rewritten, illegally • Included: • Three branches of government • Powerful Bicameral Congress, Weak Executive, Judiciary • Slavery issue postponed • Slaves equal 3/5 person • Slave trade banned in 1808, but could be bred and smuggled • Bill of Rights included to guarantee the rights of the individual • Signed Sept. 17, 1787 by 39/55 delegates

28. The Signing of the Constitution