The Constitutional Convention A Student Centered Learning Approach

The Annapolis Conference The conference was called to discuss how to fix the government to avoid another revolution because: The conference was called to discuss how to fix the government to avoid another revolution because: States were in debt States were in debt Taxes to high (Proof was Shay’s Rebellion) Taxes to high (Proof was Shay’s Rebellion) Interstate commerce a mess Interstate commerce a mess Foreign trade problems Foreign trade problems Called by Nationalists Called by Nationalists People who supported a strong national government People who supported a strong national government Ben Franklin, George Washington, James Madison Ben Franklin, George Washington, James Madison

The Annapolis Convention Started in 1786 Started in 1786 Meet in Annapolis, Maryland Meet in Annapolis, Maryland Only 5 out of the 13 states were present Only 5 out of the 13 states were present New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania Need to change the Articles of Confederation Need to change the Articles of Confederation Alexander Hamilton  Meet again in a year see how things have changed Alexander Hamilton  Meet again in a year see how things have changed Alexander Hamilton

The Constitutional Convention In the mean time Shays’s Rebellion has happened (1787) Causes states to be nervous, fear that the rebelliousness will come to their sate 1787 rolls around Time for the second Annapolis Convention 12 out of 13 states attend This time they meet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787 Becomes known as the Constitutional Convention Goal was to Revise the Articles of Confederation

The Constitutional Convention The only state that did not attend or send delegates was Rhode Island Rhode Island was opposed to a stronger government Were a small state, and felt they would loose their equal representation (one vote for each state) 55 delegates total, all delegates were: Lawyers, planters and merchants (wealthy) Most had experience in colonial, state or national government 8 had signed the Declaration of Independence “Assembly of demigods” – Thomas Jefferson

The Constitutional Convention Congress had to find a balance between the large and small states and northern and southern interests. Congress had to find a balance between the large and small states and northern and southern interests. Virginia Plan Virginia Plan Virginia Plan Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan New Jersey PlanNew Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan The Great Compromise  Representation The Great Compromise  Representation The Great Compromise The Great Compromise Click the Virginia Plan to learn about finding a balance!

The Virginia Plan Plan for a national government Plan for a national government Written by James Madison Written by James Madison Wanted to Establish: Wanted to Establish: Legislative, Executive and Judiciary Branch Legislative, Executive and Judiciary Branch Legislative Branch would be bicameral (composed of two houses) Legislative Branch would be bicameral (composed of two houses) One house elected by citizens One house elected by citizens Second house would be nominated by state government Second house would be nominated by state government Membership based on population of each state Membership based on population of each state Favors larger states= more representation Favors larger states= more representation Strong national government Strong national government Click for Next Slide 

The Virginia Plan Did the Continental Congress Approve or Disapprove? They Liked the idea of dividing the government into 3 branches They Liked the idea of dividing the government into 3 branches Small states did not like it Small states did not like it Feared being outvoted by larger states Feared being outvoted by larger states William Paterson of New Jersey proposed an alternative plan – The New Jersey Plan William Paterson of New Jersey proposed an alternative plan – The New Jersey PlanThe New Jersey PlanThe New Jersey Plan Click for Next Slide 

The New Jersey Plan Unicameral  Same as Articles of Confederation Unicameral  Same as Articles of Confederation One Vote for each state = Equal representation for all states One Vote for each state = Equal representation for all states Congress could: Congress could: Set taxes Set taxes Regulate trade Regulate trade Favors small states Favors small states  Click to see who wins!

Who Wins? NO ONE! NO ONE! They decided to scrap the Articles all together and start fresh They decided to scrap the Articles all together and start fresh Started Working on a new Constitution Started Working on a new Constitution States are divided: States are divided: Small States Vs. Large States Small States Vs. Large States North Vs. South North Vs. South How to deal with slavery and slaves in the new constitution How to deal with slavery and slaves in the new constitution What about trade? What about trade? What happens next? 

The Great Compromise (The Connecticut Compromise) Too much fighting between large states and small states Too much fighting between large states and small states Great Compromise proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut Great Compromise proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut Deals with Representation in Congress Deals with Representation in Congress Create Bicameral Legislature in which: Create Bicameral Legislature in which: House of Representatives is based on population House of Representatives is based on population Chosen by the people Chosen by the people Senate has equal representation Senate has equal representation Chosen by the states Chosen by the states See the other Compromises 

The Constitutional Convention Congress had to find a balance between the large and small states and northern and southern interests. Congress had to find a balance between the large and small states and northern and southern interests. Virginia Plan Virginia Plan Virginia Plan Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan New Jersey PlanNew Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan The Great Compromise  Representation The Great Compromise  Representation The Great Compromise The Great Compromise Had to make a series of compromises to keep the United States united Had to make a series of compromises to keep the United States united 3/5 Compromise  Slaves and Representation 3/5 Compromise  Slaves and Representation3/5 Compromise3/5 Compromise Commerce (Trade)  Trade and Economy Commerce (Trade)  Trade and EconomyCommerce (Trade)Commerce (Trade) Start Exploring by Clicking the 3/5ths Compromise

The Three-Fifths Compromise 1 representative for every 40,000 people 1 representative for every 40,000 people The Southern States Want slaves to count when determining representatives Don’t want slaves to count when it comes to tax purposes Pay more See what the Northern States Want 

The Three- Fifths Compromise The Northern States Opposed counting slaves towards determining representation Favored counting slaves for tax purposes See who won 

The Three- Fifths Compromise Every five slaves in a state would count as 3 people for: Representation Taxation On to the Last Compromise 

Trade Compromise Southern Sates Do not want a federal government with power to regulate trade Does not want taxes on exports (selling) of farm products Cost them too much money Does not want the new Constitution to touch slavery See what the Northern States Want 

Trade Compromise The Northern States North wants federal government to control trade Merchants need gov. to control foreign trade North wants slavery banned See who won 

Trade Compromise Congress can not tax exports Can’t ban the slave trade until 1808 Or impose high taxes on the imports of slaves Good Job! Now on to your assignment! 

Student Assignment Your task is to create a Glogster Online Poster Your task is to create a Glogster Online Poster Your poster should include Information (text, graphics, video, images) on: Your poster should include Information (text, graphics, video, images) on: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention Delegates to the Constitutional Convention Virginia Plan Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan New Jersey Plan Great Compromise Great Compromise 3/5ths Compromise 3/5ths Compromise Commerce (trade) Compromise Commerce (trade) Compromise This will be due Friday November 13 th This will be due Friday November 13 th