Convention & Compromise

Convention & Compromise American leaders fix the problems of the Articles of Confederation

Revising the Articles • The Confederation was not working • In 1787, delegates from 12 states gathered in Philadelphia • The sole purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation

Economic Depression • The U.S. went through a depression when the war ended • Unemployment increased • Trade fell • Little $ to pay foreign debt • Farmers suffered because they could not sell their goods • Each state printed its own $ and often did not accept $ issued by other states

Shays’ Rebellion • Farmers who were unable to pay their debts had their land taken away and were imprisoned • Led by Daniel Shays, the farmers forced the courts in western Massachusetts to close to keep the state from taking their farms • The state militia ordered farmers to stop but they refused • The militia fired, 4 rebels died

The Issue of Slavery • The plantation system in the south was built on slavery. • The southern economy could not survive without it. • Although slavery was not a major source of labor in the North, free African Americans faced discrimination and were barred from public places.

Free Blacks • Attended separate schools • Established their own churches and schools • Virginia issued a law called manumission that encouraged the freeing of individual enslaved persons • The abolition of slavery in the North divided the new country

A Call for Change • Although the American Revolution created a union of 13 states, it did not create a strong national government • Leaders demanded a reform of the Articles of Confederation • In September of 1786, the leaders met in Philadelphia to discuss trade issues and possible changes to the Articles to make it work

The Effects of Shays’ Rebellion • Shays’ Rebellion frightened many national leaders • They worried that the government could not control unrest and prevent violence • Although George Washington was not enthusiastic about the movement to revise the Articles of Confederation, he quickly changed his mind after he heard the news of Shays’ Rebellion

The Constitutional Convention • Many delegates who attended the Convention in Philadelphia were well educated • Native Americans, African Americans, and women were not considered a part of the political process during this time • James Madison was known as the “Father of the Constitution” • He was the author of the basic plan of government

Organization • George Washington was unanimously chosen to preside over meetings • Each state would have only 1 vote on all questions • The majority vote of states present would make decisions

The Virginia Plan • Instead of revising the Articles, Edmund Randolf proposed that the delegates create a strong national government • He introduced the Virginia Planwhich was based largely on the work of James Madison

What was the Virginia Plan? • The plan called for a two-house legislature • 1) Chief Executive – chosen by the legislature • 2) Court System – Judicial Branch • Members of the lower house legislature are elected by the people • Members of the upper house legislature are chosen by the lower house • In both houses, the number of representatives would be proportionate to the population of each state

The New Jersey Plan • Had a one house legislature and one vote for each state • Congress could set taxes and regulate trade • Congress would elect a weak executive branch made up more than one person

Compromise Wins Out • The States voted for a government based on the Virginia Plan • Roger Sherman proposed what came to be known as the Great Compromise. • A compromise is an agreement between 2 or more sides in which each side gives up some of what it wants.

What was the Great Compromise? • 2 senators for each state • Number of seats in the House of Representatives by state population • An enslaved person was counted as three-fifths of a person • A majority vote in the House and Senate is needed to pass a law • Balanced powers between executive, judicial, and legislative branches

Objections Are Raised • Since slaves were considered to be property, they should be counted for taxation and not representation • The Three-Fifths Compromise counted an enslaved person as three-fifths of one free person for both taxation and representation • Neither the North or the South considered giving enslaved people the right to vote

Slave Trade • Northern delegates wanted to slow the spread of slavery and stop the importation of new slaves. • Since the slave trade was essential to Southern states, Northerners agreed that Congress could not interfere with the slave trade until 1808.

Approval of the Constitution • Some delegates did not want to sign the Constitution • They worried that without the protection of the bill of rights, the new national government might abuse its powers • Only 9 out of 13 states had to approve the Constitution

Questions • Make up 3 questions using the information in this handout. • You will write the questions that you made up behind this page in your notebook and answer them • This will count as an assignment in you notebook. • Example: Did states with a smaller population favor the Virginia Plan or the New Jersey Plan?

Convention & Compromise