Chapter 2 : Lesson 4 Creating the Constitution

2. Chapter 2 : Lesson 4Creating the Constitution

3. Lesson 4: Creating the Constitution Essential Question: How did the Constitutional Convention reflect compromises between the states competing interests?

4. What We Already Know The Articles of Confederation intentionally created a government that was weak, because Americans had just fought a war against a government that was so strong that it threatened their rights.

5. What We Already Know In 1787, Shays’ Rebellion showed just how weak and ineffective the Articles of Confederation were in dealing with major problems, such as the economy.

6. What We Already Know Many people felt that the nation needed to have a stronger national government to help solve its problems.

7. Check for Understanding • What event made many Americans realize that the Articles of Confederation needed to be changed? • What was wrong with the Articles of Confederation?

8. A Constitutional Convention Is Called • In 1786, delegates from five states met in Annapolis, Maryland. • The delegates met to discuss ways to promote interstate trade through national trade laws that would help the economies of all the states.

9. A Constitutional Convention Is Called But making such changes required amending the Articles of Confederation, because the national government had been granted no power to regulate trade among the states.

10. A Constitutional Convention Is Called • The Annapolis Convention delegates called for representatives to come to Philadelphia to discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation

11. A Constitutional Convention Is Called • At first, many Americans doubted that the Articles needed to be changed. • They still believed that a strong government could become a threat to their natural rights.

12. A Constitutional Convention Is Called • When word of Shays’ Rebellion began to spread, they changed their minds. • Fearing that uprisings similar to Shays’ Rebellion might spread, 12 states sent delegates to Philadelphia in 1787.

13. The Convention’s Delegates • Fifty-five delegates came to the Constitutional Convention. • About three-fourths also had been delegates to the Continental Congress.

14. The Convention’s Delegates • Many had been members of their state legislatures and had helped write their state constitutions. • Along with other leaders of the time, these delegates are called the Founding Fathers, of the United States.

15. The Convention’s Delegates Three of the most famous men at the Constitutional Convention were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison.

16. The Convention’s Delegates • One of the ablest delegates was James Madison. • Madison had read more than a hundred books on government in preparation for the meeting. • He would play a major role in the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

17. The Convention’s Delegates • He took notes throughout the Convention, giving us a very detailed account of the many debates that took place. • He worked behind the scenes to create the Virginia Plan.

18. The Convention’s Delegates • He would be one of the writers of the Federalist Papers, which persuaded people to vote in favor of the new Constitution. • Later, he would write the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. • For these reasons, James Madison is often referred to as the Father of the Constitution.

19. The Convention’s Delegates But some of the most famous men in the young nation did not attend the Constitutional Convention.

20. Significant absentees from the Convention included Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Patrick Henry.

21. Women, American Indians and blacks were not represented among the delegates. However, the framework of government the Founders established is the very one that would eventually provide full rights and responsibilities to all Americans.

22. The big question: should the Articles of Confederation be amended, or replaced with a new form of government?

23. There were many disagreements among the delegates. But one thing they all agreed on was that they wanted a government that was strong enough to protect people’s rights, but not too strong to be controlled by the people.

24. What did all the delegates agree on? They all agreed that they needed a government that was strong enough to protect people’s rights, but not too strong to be controlled by the people.

25. Organization and Procedures • Meet summer of 1787 in Philadelphia • Elected George Washington as president of the convention • Majority of States needed to conduct business • One vote per State on all matters • Majority of votes needed to pass proposals • Worked in Secrecy • Rhode Island did not send delegates

26. Father of the Constitution • James Madison: • Kept detail records of the convention • Conventions Floor leader • Contributed more to the constitution than any other • Full body settled all questions

27. The New Jersey Plan • Unicameral legislature with one vote per state • Executive would be a small group elected by the legislature • The judiciary would be appointed by the executive • This plan was favored by the small states because it had equal representation

28. Virginia Plan • Called for a national government with expanded powers and three branches. Congress would be bicameral and representation in each house would be based on each state’s population or on the amount of money it donated to the central government.*This plan favored larger, wealthier states.

29. Connecticut Compromise • Bicameral • Legislature with • House of Representatives based on population • Senate with 2 members from each state

31. *When it came time to determine each state’s number of seats in the house, the question arose as to whether or not slaves should be counted in population totals.*Southern states said yes, while northern states said no.

32. 3/5’s Compromise • Who counts? • Slave states wanted slaves to count for representation but not for taxes • Compromise = slaves counted as 3/5th of a whole person for both representation and taxes.

33. Federalists vs. Antifederalists

34. Federalists • Supported the Constitution • Favored a strong national government • They feared anarchy and • Wanted a strong defense • Federalists were led by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton who wrote “The Federalist Papers” in support of the Constitution

35. Anti-­Federalists • Were against the Constitution • Feared that the government would be too strong • Wanted states to be stronger than the federal government • Claimed Constitution was drafted in secret • Wanted a “Bill of Rights” to protect individual rights/freedoms.

36. After much debate, the Federalists won the argument and the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788. New York was chosen as the nation’s temporary capital and George Washington was elected president by unanimous vote.

37. Review Question: Chapter 2 : Lesson 4 Read pages 54-60 and answer Review Questions on page 60. Hand in Google Class Room.