The Creation of the Constitution

Why did we need to create the Constitution? Essential Question Why did we need to create the Constitution? 2nd link: video is called Helpful constitution video

Annapolis Convention, 1786 Impracticality of Correcting Weaknesses in Articles of Confederation: The Articles of Confederation were too weak for a central government to work It needed too many modifications for a revision Need for an improved form of government without losing key elements of a new philosophy of government The representatives wanted to keep a republican form of government but also wanted to keep the power out of the masses It was decided that a new Constitution was needed.

Constitutional Convention Setting and Composition: Philadelphia, PA May 25, 1787 Composition: 55 delegates from 7 states; By July, 12 had come (not RI) Delegates mostly represented the upper class Desired a strong central government to avoid uncontrolled popular rule and to oversee economic issues Congress allowed the Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation but didn’t know that a new Constitution was being written Secret Sessions 10 minute clip

Covered on pages 212 to 217 Unit 2 – Creating a Government – Page 5 of 10

The Need for Compromise 1. The Issue of a “Federal” or a “National” Government: Federal: central government that shares powers with states National: a government that is in control of a nation States were still concerned about a central government having too much power but needed a government that could be more effective in many aspects of governing "former being a mere compact resting on the good faith of the parties; the latter having a compleat and compulsive operation.“ Gouverneur Morris

The Need for Compromise States Rights Supporters Wanted state legislatures to elect the president a shorter presidential term Federal Power Supporters Wanted direct election of president by qualified voters longer term of service Presidency Compromise Indirect election of the president by the Electoral College 4 year terms of service No limits on number of terms http://regentsprep.org/regents/ushisgov/themes/government/convention.htm chart

The Need for Compromise 2. The Great Compromise on Representation: New Jersey Plan Unicameral legislature Equal representation in Congress Smaller states liked this Virginia Plan Bicameral legislature Representation to Congress based on population Larger states liked this The Great Compromise Bicameral legislature (2 Houses) Equal representation in Senate (2 each) elected by the state legislatures Representation based on population in the House of Representatives http://regentsprep.org/regents/ushisgov/themes/government/convention.htm chart slightly changed

Pg 91 in Course Pack Covered on pages 214 to 216 Unit 2 – Creating a Government – Page 4 of 10

Pg 92 in CP How did the smaller states and the larger states resolve their differences at the Philadelphia Convention of 1787? Large States: ___________ Plan The state agreed to have ____ legislative houses; the smaller states won equal representation in the _________________ and the larger states won representation according to population in the ____________________ Great Compromise Small States: ___________ Plan

The Need for Compromise 3. The Three-Fifths Compromise on Slavery: Southern States Wanted slaves counted as population for representation Against counting slaves for taxation Northern States Against counting slaves as population for representation Wanted slaves counted for taxation 3/5ths Compromise 3/5ths of slaves counted as population for representation and taxation Census every 10 years Congress would allow the importation of slaves for 20 years. Slave imports were made illegal in 1808 http://regentsprep.org/regents/ushisgov/themes/government/convention.htm chart

3/5 Compromise – Slaves would equal 3/5 of a person to count in a states population

The Need for Compromise DO NOW Course Pack pg. 93 Answer the Questions, use your notes or text book pgs. 216-217

The Need for Compromise 4. The Commerce Compromise: Issue Regulation of Trade Southern States Wanted state control over the regulation of all trade Feared a federal ban on slave trade Didn’t want export tariffs because they exported agricultural goods Northern States Wanted Federal regulation of all trade Import tariffs to protect them from foreign competition Commerce Compromise State regulation of interstate trade No export duties to be passed for 20 years Congress could tax imports http://regentsprep.org/regents/ushisgov/themes/government/convention.htm chart slightly changed

Why was a new constitution necessary? Ticket Out The Door Why was a new constitution necessary? Explain the four compromises that were made at the Constitutional Convention. 2nd link: video is called Helpful constitution video