Adopting a new Constitution

1. Adopting a new Constitution How the United States got rid of the Articles of Confederation and made a more lasting and efficient government

2. The articles of confederation was…. • An agreement that united the colonies and made them states • A weak form of government that gave states MOST of the power

3. Strengths of the Articles of confederation • Although the Articles of Confederation: -created friendship and union in the 13 states -Negotiated the Treaty of Paris of 1783 (ended the Revolution) -Made states recognize (obey/honor) other states laws -created the Northwest Ordinance of 1787

4. Weaknesses of the Articles of confederation… • While the Articles had some success, they still: -Did not have a executive or judicial branch - Could not levy taxes - Had no standing army (national army) -Could not mediate disputes between states - Could not pay off the war -Each state had their own type of money -soldiers that served in the Revolution were not paid=Shay’s Rebellion

5. Results of the weaknesses of the articles of confederation

6. Philadelphia constitutional convention of 1787 • Changes were needed because the government was too WEAK! • Fear of strong government= 3 Braches of Government: Legislative Executive Judicial *Makes laws -Bicameral -Senate: 2 representatives -House of Representatives: based on population *Enforces laws -President -Commander in Chief *Interprets laws -Supreme Court -federal/state courts

7. Problems with the legislative branch…. • At the time, delegates could not agree on how they would be represented in congress...so 2 proposals (suggestions) were made: Virginia Plan- proposed by James Madison *Plan for large states *3 branches of government *bicameral congress (two houses ) based on population New Jersey Plan- proposed by William Paterson *Plan for small states *Only strengthen Articles of Confederation *States KEEP most of the power *one-house congress based on EQUAL representation

8. Solution: “The great compromise” • Compromise- an agreement which keeps most people content or happy • After much debate, Roger Sherman of Connecticut proposed the following: • A bicameral congress • Senate based on EQUAL representation (2 per state regardless of size) • House of Representatives based on population • Government had power to make money • Power is shared between state and central (federal government)

9. What about the slaves? • Many colonies both North and South had slaves • Question: How would slaves influence representation? Or why were slaves being considered as delegates discussed the new Constitution? • South had more slaves and wanted slaves to count as part of the population=more representativesin the House of Representatives • North had less slaves so thought it was unfair that slaves be counted as part of the population because they were considered “property” and because then the South would have more representatives

10. The three-fifths compromise • Both North and South agreed the following: • A slave would count as 3/5 of a person for representation • 3/5 of the slave population would count for taxes • Slave owners were to be charged $10.00 per imported slave. After 20 years slaves could no longer be imported. • Question: Why would the North not want more slaves imported into the states?

11. Drafting a constitution • Inspired by the Iroquois Indians Constitution, the Committee in charge of the Constitution began by writing (1787)… “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States…” *The United States Constitution was finally ratified (approved) in the year 1789