1. The Road to the Constitution

2. Quick Review Declaration of Independence Second Continental Congress Approved July 4, 1776 The Articles of Confederation 1777, our first constitution Weak federal government Shay’s Rebellion, 1786-1787

3. Strengthening the National Government 1787 Problems with the Articles of Confederation States sent delegates to Philadelphia to fix the A.O.C. Rhode Island did not go…they did not want a stronger central government

4. The Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 Independence Hall, Philadelphia An extraordinary group of men 55 men Well-educated Lawyers, merchants, college presidents, doctors, generals, governors, and planters with considerable political experience

5. Who was there? Who missed it? Benjamin Franklin 81, oldest delegate George Washington & James Madison Both would become president Thomas Jefferson & John Adams Both were in Europe Patrick Henry Prominent Virginian He was invited but did not attend; he was against the convention

6. George Washington Respected for his leadership during the Rev. War Chosen to preside over the convention. http://richmondthenandnow.com/Images/Famous-Visitors/George-Washington-big.jpg

7. Procedures of the Convention Each state was only allowed one vote Majority votes from all states made decisions All discussions were a secret! Why…? This way, delegates could speak freely, without worry about how the public would react

8. What happened to the… Articles of Confederation??? The throw it away, decided to write a new constitution http://www.uberreview.com/wp-content/uploads/grocery-bag-trash-can.jpg

9. Two Opposing Plans VS. http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/map/vamap.jpg http://www.pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/nj-counties-new.gif Virginia vs. New Jersey

10. Two Opposing Plans The Virginia Plan James Madison 3 branches of government Bicameral legislature (2 houses), determined by population Favored big states

11. Two Opposing Plans The New Jersey Plan William Patterson 3 branches of government Unicameral legislature (1 house) with equal representation Favored smaller states

12. Two Opposing Plans What was the big issue? How representation in Congress would be decided Larger states wanted more power, smaller states wanted equal power

13. The Great Compromise Roger Sherman – Connecticut Lower House House of Representatives Determined by population 2 year terms Favored larger states Upper House Senate Equal representation 6 year terms Favored smaller states

14. More arguing? What now? Controversy over counting slaves as a part of the population… At this time, there were 550,000 enslaved African Americans, mostly in the South

15. More arguing? What now? Southern states said… part of the population = more representatives for southern states Northern states said… slaves cannot vote or participate in government, they should not give the south more representatives

16. The Three-Fifths Compromise Three-Fifths Compromise Every 5 enslaved persons would count as 3 free people Used for representation in Congress & figuring taxes

17. Another compromise How to elect a president? Some say… “Let Congress pick!” Others say… “Let the people choose!” The compromise…

18. Electoral College A group of people would be chosen by each state to choose the President Each state given a certain number of votes, determined by their representation in Congress

19. One last compromise Conflicts over commerce & the slave trade Congress could regulate (control) trade between states & other countries However, they could NOT tax exports or interfere with the slave trade for 20 years

20. Finished…finally! September 17, 1787, finished up the Constitution Delegates signed it, said the Constitution would become the law of the land when… 9 out of 13 states ratified (approved) it

21. So everyone in the entire United States of America loved the Constitution and every state ratified it immediately and we all had a big party and we all lived happily ever after, right…?

22. Wrong!

23. A Divided Public Federalists = supporters of the new constitution & a strong federal government Federalism = A form of government in which power is divided between the federal (national) government and the states

24. A Divided Public Some Federalists wrote papers to rally support for the Constitution They were called the Federalist Papers Who wrote them? Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, & John Jay

25. A Divided Public Anti-Federalists = People opposed to the constitution & a strong federal government “Don’t forget individual rights!”

26. Reaching an Agreement Anti-Federalists wanted to add… The Bill of Rights The Federalists promised to do so, and did New Hampshire, 9th state to ratify June 21, 1788 The Constitution went into effect The last state to ratify…? Rhode Island, 1790