We the People… Creating a New Nation

2. We the People…Creating a New Nation

3. The United States was in trouble. The country seemed to be breaking apart. Americans were free of British rule, but could they preserve their liberty and stay united. That was the challenge facing the new nation.

4. Shays’ Rebellion • This was an attempt by Massachusetts farmers in 1786-1787 to stop local courts from imprisoning debtors by using threats and violence.

5. Named after Daniel Shays, a former soldier in the Revolution and one of the leaders of the movement.

6. Shays’ Rebellion • Shays’ Rebellion combined with complaints about the government’s inability to tax and control commerce led to the calling of a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.

7. Problems with the Articles of Confederation • A convention was called to discuss the fate of the nation. Alexander Hamilton noted the following problems with the Articles of Confederation:

8. -it could not negotiate treaties • -It could not pay its debts • -It could not resolve disputes between states • -It could not tax

9. Constitutional Convention • 12 of the 13 states sent delegates to Philadelphia. • Only Rhode Island refused to attend.

10. George Washington was chosen as President of the Convention. • The delegates at the convention are referred to as our Founding Fathers.

11. We’ve learned much about the convention almost completely from the notes of James Madison. He used reason and quiet leadership during the convention. Many of the principles of the Constitution are based on his ideas. He is known as the “Father of the Constitution”.

12. Conflict and Compromise • The Constitution was forged by a series of compromises. Delegates debated proportional vs. state representation in Congress and direct election by the people vs. states’ choosing representatives.

13. Southern and Northern delegates disagreed over the issue of slavery. • Delegates also reached a compromise on the details of the executive branch.

14. The Virginia Plan • Proposed a national government made up of 3 parts. Virginia

15. * Legislative Branch (Congress) - makes the laws * Executive Branch (President) - enforces the laws *Judicial Branch (Courts) - interprets the laws Virginia

16. The Virginia Plan • Congress would be based on population and have two houses. Virginia

17. The New Jersey Plan • This plan called for Congress to have one house. New Jersey

18. The New Jersey Plan • Each state, regardless of population, would send the same number of representatives. New Jersey

19. The New Jersey Plan • This plan assured a small state would have just as many votes as a large state. New Jersey

20. The Great Compromise • Both sides argued and a compromise was finally reached. • Roger Sherman, a delegate from Connecticut, suggested the Great Compromise, or the Connecticut Compromise.

21. The Compromise called for: • 1. The people would be represented in the lower house, The House of Representatives. Members were chosen according to states’ population. • 2. The states would be represented equally in the upper house called the Senate.

22. The Three-Fifths Compromise • There was a dispute over whether slaves were to be counted in determining population.

23. The delegation decided that five slaves would count as three people for the purpose of representation.