Random Fact of the Day

Random Fact of the Day • Too much coffee can kill you. A lethal dose of caffeine for the average adult is somewhere around 10 grams, the equivalent of drinking between 50 and 200 cups in rapid succession.

Chapter 3, Section 2“The Road to the Constitution” (pages 72-78)

Main Idea: In 1787, delegates gathered to address the weaknesses of the Articles, but they decided that a new Constitution was needed.

The Philadelphia Convention A. Each state except Rhode Island sent delegates to Philadelphia. B. Most of the 55 men were well-educated and experienced in politics. ***Native Americans, African Americans, and women were NOT included.***

***Among the 55 delegates: 1. Eight had signed the Declaration of Independence 2. Seven had been governors of their states 3. Forty-one had been previous members of the Continental Congress. *** The “Liberty Bell” - Philadelphia, PA-

C. Ben Franklin was the oldest delegate at age 81. He was a diplomat, writer, inventor, and scientist. Ben Franklin D. Two delegates would later become president. • George Washington • James Madison

***Thomas Jefferson and John Adams could not attend. They were in Europe as representatives to the U.S. Government.***

II. Creating the Constitution A. The delegates chose George Washington to preside over the convention. B. Washington then chose a committee to set rules for conducting the convention.

C. The committee decided that decisions would be made by majority vote, with each state having one vote. ***Delegates agreed to keep all discussions secret.*** Independence Hall- Philadelphia, PA

D. No formal records were kept. ***Most of what we do know came from James Madison’s personal notebook of events.*** James Madison and his diary from the convention

E. The delegates, instead of revising the Articles, decided to completely discard them and write a new constitution. F. This meeting became known as the Constitutional Convention.

G. Virginia Plan-1787 1. Created by James Madison 2. Called for government with 3 branches a. Legislative Branch (lawmakers) b. Executive Branch (carry out laws) c. Judicial Branch (interpret laws) 3. Legislature would have two houses; states would be represented based on the population of each state. ***More populated states = more power!***

H. New Jersey Plan- 1787 1. Created by William Patterson 2. Also called for 3 branches of government 3. Legislature would have one house and each state gets 1 vote. 4. This plan would give equal power to large AND small states! 5. Larger states did not like this plan!

I. For six weeks, delegates fiercely debated both plans. J. Sherman’s committee proposed a Senate and a House of Representatives. ***Each state would have equal representation in the Senate. Representation in the House would be based on population.***

K. The delegates accepted this plan = THE GREAT COMPROMISE ***Southern states wanted to take advantage of enslaved African Americans and count them as part of their population determining representation in the House. Northern states opposed!***

L. This led to the Three-Fifths Compromise. (550,000 slaves) M. 3/5 Compromise- Delegates agreed that every 5 slaves would count as three free persons when determining congressional representation and taxes.

N. Northern states wanted Congress to be able to regulate all trade. O. Southern states feared Congress would then tax their exports and stop slave trade. P. Delegates disagreed on whether Congress or the voters should choose the president. The solution was called the Electoral College.

Q. Electoral College-A group of people who are picked to elect the President.

III. Balancing Viewpoints A.Ratification required at least 9/13 states B.There were 2 main groups. 1.Federalists- Supporters of the new Constitution. They believed in Federalism. i.Federalism- form of government in which power is divided between the national government and the states.

2.Anti-Federalists- Opposed new Constitution. Wanted more power to the states. Also, wanted a Bill of Rights. C. Both ended up agreeing to add Bill of Rights. D. The Constitution took effect when New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify it!

Mini Quiz!!! Diddy- Missing You • The New Jersey Plan favored which states? Virginia Plan? • What was the Great Compromise? • Did the 3/5 Compromise help the northern or southern states? • Which group supported the new Constitution? Federalists or Anti-Federalists? • The addition of this finally led the anti-federalists to approving the new constitution. 6. What state was not present at the Constitutional Convention? 8. How many delegates attended the meeting? 9. Who was the oldest delegate? 10. Who presided over the convention?

Random Fact of the Day