Unit 1 Cont’d

1. Unit 1 Cont’d

2. Video Questions • Explain at least 4 ideas specifically stated in the Articles of the Constitution • Name at least three sources of inspiration for the American constitution andexplain which concepts we borrowed from them

3. What was the Constitutional Convention? • Intended to fix the problems with the Articles of Confederation • Many knew from the outset that the Articles would have to be replaced • 55 delegates attended the meeting in Philadelphia • Including: George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton • States sent various amounts of delegates but each state had only one vote • Washington was elected President of the Convention

4. The Framers of the Constitution • “Great men there were, it is true, but the convention as a whole was composed of…professional men, business men, and gentlemen of leisure; patriotic statesmen and clever, scheming politicians; some trained by experience and study for the task before them; and others utterly unfit. It was essentially a representative body” • -Max Farrand, The Framing of the Constitution of the United States

5. What was the Virginia Plan? • Madison came to the convention with a new plan for national gov’t called the Virginia Plan • The plan proposed a strong national government • Proposed the federal system (federalism) • Each citizen would be governed under the authority of TWO governments: the national, and the state • Important: The Virginia Plan was meant to REPLACE the Articles of Confederation

6. What was the response to the Virginia Plan? • What was accepted? • Bicameral Legislature: Two houses in government could check on each other • What was controversial? • Proportional Representation: States would receive more votes in Congress if they had a larger population • Supported by Madison and the Virginia Plan • Popular among larger states • Equal Representation: All states would receive equal votes in Congress regardless of population • Popular among smaller states

7. Critical Thinking • What do you think is more fair, proportional or equal representation? Explain your answer.

8. What was the New Jersey Plan? • Proposed to keep the framework of the Articles of Confederation • Congress would have only one house • Congress would gain some power • The power to tax • The power to regulate trade • The power to appoint several persons to an executive branch • A supreme court would be appointed by the executive branch

9. What was the response to the New Jersey Plan? • The plan was defeated in a vote by the convention • This effectively ended the idea of the unicameral legislature

10. What was the Great Compromise?