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A New Plan of Government Changing the Articles of Confederation. Pages 338-341. A Time for Change. After the Revolution most Americans feared a government that was too strong. Now the people had a government that was too weak. The British called the Americans the Disunited States of America.
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A New Plan of GovernmentChanging the Articles of Confederation Pages 338-341
A Time for Change • After the Revolution most Americans feared a government that was too strong. • Now the people had a government that was too weak. • The British called the Americans the Disunited States of America.
A Rope of Sand • Many Americans continued to argue that a strong national government with one leader was not a good idea. • Patrick Henry when speaking about the Articles of Confederation argued that a rope of sand was better than a rod of iron.
The Great Debate • Leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison questioned the need to change the Articles of Confederation. • These men felt that a stronger national government was the key to America’s success as a nation.
Disagreements Between the States • Maryland and Virginia argued about who had control of the Potomac River. • New York and New Hampshire argued over who owned the land that is now Vermont. • All 13 states argued about money.
Agreeing to Work Together • In Sept. 1786 a convention was called to give the states a chance to talk about their problems. • Only five states attended the meeting which included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. • They all agreed the Articles should be changed.
Results of the Convention • Those attending the convention agreed a second meeting should be held. • Representatives from all 13 states were asked to attend the second convention so that changes could be made to the Articles of Confederation. • The meeting was scheduled for May 1787. • Rhode Island was the only state that would not attend the meeting.
The Second Convention • Delegates began arriving in Philadelphia in May 1787. • George Washington was the first to arrive. He was 55 years old and the most honored hero of the American Revolution. • Washington was elected the president of the convention.
The Second Convention • Ben Franklin was 81 years old and was the governor of Pennsylvania. • He was unable to walk far so prisoners from the Philadelphia jail carried him to the meeting in a Chinese sedan chair. • In all 55 delegates from 12 states attended the second convention. • Their desire was to do what was best for the United States.