The Formation of the United States Constitution

Is this a rising or a setting sun?

Benjamin Franklin stated: “I have often looked at that behind the president without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now I…know that it is a rising…sun.”

Shays Rebellion Occurred during the summer and fall of 1786 Occurred during the summer and fall of 1786 Daniel Shays, a Massachusetts farmer, returned from the war to discover he was in debt and his farm might be taken away Daniel Shays, a Massachusetts farmer, returned from the war to discover he was in debt and his farm might be taken away Shays stated that this was from over taxation Shays stated that this was from over taxation Shays demanded courts be closed to keep land from being taken Shays demanded courts be closed to keep land from being taken September 1786 Shays led army of farmers to close courts September 1786 Shays led army of farmers to close courts 1787 Shays led 1,200 men to arsenal 1787 Shays led 1,200 men to arsenal Militia were called out and four rebels killed Militia were called out and four rebels killed Rebellion caused panic Rebellion caused panic Other states worried that rebellion would Other states worried that rebellion would strike them People knew it was time for a stronger nation People knew it was time for a stronger nation

Call for Convention Annapolis Convention (September 1786) Attended by James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York Attended by James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York Hamilton wanted states to discuss interstate trade and the problems with the current Articles of Confederation Hamilton wanted states to discuss interstate trade and the problems with the current Articles of Confederation Only five states sent representatives, delegates called for another meeting the next year in Philadelphia Only five states sent representatives, delegates called for another meeting the next year in Philadelphia Shay’s Rebellion convinced states to send delegates to second convention in Philadelphia Shay’s Rebellion convinced states to send delegates to second convention in Philadelphia

The Federal Convention Today called the Constitutional Convention Today called the Constitutional Convention Lasted from May-September 1787 Lasted from May-September delegated attended, though some only stayed for part of the session 55 delegated attended, though some only stayed for part of the session Very hot summer in Philly Very hot summer in Philly Secrecy was very important, all windows were kept closed, delegates told not to talk Secrecy was very important, all windows were kept closed, delegates told not to talk Most delegates wealthy, all were WHITE MALES who owned land Most delegates wealthy, all were WHITE MALES who owned land George Washington elected President of the convention George Washington elected President of the convention

Faces of the Constitutional Convention

Is this man young or old? Does he look rich or poor? Do you think he was liberal or conservative? Do you know who it is? Is he from the North or the South?

The Great Compromise Two plans for government were proposed at the Convention Two plans for government were proposed at the Convention Virginia Plan: James Madison said that their should be a bicameral legislature with membership based on population of the states Virginia Plan: James Madison said that their should be a bicameral legislature with membership based on population of the states New Jersey Plan: William Paterson said there should be one house where each state had one equal vote New Jersey Plan: William Paterson said there should be one house where each state had one equal vote Roger Sherman proposed a compromise Roger Sherman proposed a compromise Two Houses Two Houses Senate: Where each state would have two reps. Senate: Where each state would have two reps. House of Representatives: Where membership would be based on population House of Representatives: Where membership would be based on population Called the Great Compromise and gave us what we now call: Congress Called the Great Compromise and gave us what we now call: Congress

Three-Fifths Compromise Representation that would be based on population called into question who would be counted as part of the population Representation that would be based on population called into question who would be counted as part of the population Southern states wanted slaves to count Southern states wanted slaves to count Northern states felt that if they were not considered free they should not be counted Northern states felt that if they were not considered free they should not be counted Eventually delegates agreed to count three-fifths of a state’s slaves as population Eventually delegates agreed to count three-fifths of a state’s slaves as population

What do you think? Was this fair? Was this fair? Why didn’t the delegates use this time to abolish slavery? Why didn’t the delegates use this time to abolish slavery? The delegates decided to continue slave trade for twenty more years and then stop it. Why didn’t they stop it immediately? The delegates decided to continue slave trade for twenty more years and then stop it. Why didn’t they stop it immediately? Could they have prevented the Civil War? Could they have prevented the Civil War? What does this tell us about the delegates? What does this tell us about the delegates?

How to Organize a Government The delegates had to decide the best way to organize the government The delegates had to decide the best way to organize the government All agreed on three branches of government All agreed on three branches of government Legislative Branch: to make the laws Legislative Branch: to make the laws Executive Branch: to carry out the laws Executive Branch: to carry out the laws Judicial Branch: to interpret the laws Judicial Branch: to interpret the laws Checks and Balances were put into place so that no one branch could be stronger then another Checks and Balances were put into place so that no one branch could be stronger then another Decided that they would have an executive leader and he would be called: President Decided that they would have an executive leader and he would be called: President

Journal Pick one theme, thought, idea, etc…, that you have learned today. Write down your thoughts about that idea. Do you agree or disagree? State why. Do you have a better idea? What is it? Do you think your idea would have been done differently if the convention were held today? Pick one theme, thought, idea, etc…, that you have learned today. Write down your thoughts about that idea. Do you agree or disagree? State why. Do you have a better idea? What is it? Do you think your idea would have been done differently if the convention were held today? We will write for ten minutes. We will write for ten minutes.

Discussion Images: Society in 1787