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REVIEW QUESTION. What were the key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. Fast Facts. began on May 25, 1787 h eld at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA 55 delegates attended goal was to improve Articles of Confederation
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REVIEW QUESTION What were the key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Fast Facts • began on May 25, 1787 • held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA • 55 delegates attended • goal was to improve Articles of Confederation • RI was the only state that did not participate
Leaders of the Convention • George Washington was asked to preside over (lead) the convention • James Madison kept notes of the discussions, often called “The Father of the Constitution” • The men who wrote the Constitution are called the “Founding Fathers” • All the participants in the Convention were wealthy, white, males
Key Issues • Representation in Congress: New Jersey Plan versus Virginia Plan • Slavery: Northern States versus Southern States • Federalists versus Anti-Federalists
Representation in Congress:The New Jersey Plan • William Paterson • One house Congress • 1 vote per state • Benefits states with small population
Representation in Congress:The Virginia Plan • Edmond Randolph • 2 house legislature • Representation based on population • Benefits states with larger population
Critical Thinking Question Working in pairs, each person should assume one of the two stances on how states should be represented in Congress. Work together to come up with a compromise that both sides can agree on. You will share your solution with the class, and then we’ll compare our ideas with those that our Founding Fathers came up with.
Representation in Congress: The Great Compromise • Roger Sherman • 2 house legislature • Senate: equal amongst states • House of Representatives: based on population of state
Slavery:The Northern States • Slaves were not citizens and should not be counted towards population • Wants to prohibit slaves in the entire nation
Slavery:The Southern States • Wanted slaves to count towards population • Slaves were not to be given rights • Slavery is essential to the Southern economy
Critical Thinking Question Working in pairs, each person should assume one of the two stances on how slavery should be dealt with in the Constitution. Work together to come up with a compromise that both sides can agree on. You will share your solution with the class, and then we’ll compare our ideas with those that our Founding Fathers came up with.
Slavery: The 3/5 Compromise • For every 5 slaves, 3 were to count towards the population of the state
Slavery: The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise • Keep slavery for 20 years • In 1808 Congress can vote to ban slavery
Federalists • Articles of Confederation were weak and ineffective • National government needed to be strong in order to function • Strong national government needed to control uncooperative states • Men of experience and talent should govern the nation • National government would protect the rights of the people
Anti-Federalists • Articles of Confederation were a good plan • Opposed strong central government • Strong national government threatened state power • Strong national government threatened rights of the common people • Constitution favored wealthy men and preserved their power • Constitution lacked a bill of rights
Conclusion • Constitution signed on September 17, 1787 • Continental Congress passes resolution to put new Constitution into operation on September 13, 1788 • RI final state to ratify the constitution in May 1790