American History Unit 2 Lecture 6 Creating the Constitution

Calling for Convention James Madison and Alexander Hamilton urge meeting to revise Articles Shay’s Rebellion convinces states to attend Washington agrees to attend – gives legitimacy All states but Rhode Island in attendance 55 Delegates Hot spring and summer of 1787 in Philadelphia

The Ground Rules Everything is secret! 1 vote per state – majority rules The Government will be rewritten!

Biggest Issue REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT – or “Big States vs. Little States” Two Main Plans Virginia Plan – Madison’s Plan. Calls for: 3 Branches, Bicameral Congress, Population- based representation New Jersey Plan – Paterson’s Plan. Calls for: Single congress with group of executives, equal vote for each state, (known as the Small State plan)

Great Compromise Issue of representation is solved by the Great Compromise. -Each state gets 2 votes in Senate -Number of votes in House of Reps. – based on population. -Census every ten years will determine population

The Issue of Slavery1 South wanted slaves to count for representation – the North opposed this! 3/5 Compromise says that for purposes of representation, 3/5 of a state’s slaves would be counted Promise not to interfere with the slave trade for 20 years 1. Click for a lesson on slavery in the Constitution

Economic Issues Federal Government can tax, coin money, regulate trade between states.

Ratification Debate 9 States must agree Federalists – those who favor adopting new Constitution Anti-Federalists – those who oppose adopting new Constitution Federalist Papers – Series of articles by Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay support ratification Debate over Bill of Rights