1. Creating the Constitution
Chapter 8 sec. 2
Mrs. Brennan-Stover

2. A Constitutional Convention is Called
The Annapolis Convention
Delegates from five states to discuss ways to promote trade among states
Most states placed high taxes on goods from other states
Delegates wanted to create national trade laws to help the economies of all states
This would require a change to the Articles of Confederation

3. A Constitutional Convention is Called
To change the Articles of Confederation delegates called for states to send representatives to Philadelphia in May
Many Americans saw no need to strengthen the national government until Shays’ Rebellion
Fearing rebellion 12 of the 13 states sent delegates to Philadelphia. Rhode Island refused to participate.

4. The Convention’s Delegates
55 delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia
Half were lawyers
Others were merchants, planter, or doctors
Three-fourths had been representatives in the Continental Congress
Many were member of their state legislatures
Over half were college educated
Average age was 44
No Native Americans, African Americans, or women

5. The Convention’s Delegates
Many Famous Men
George Washington – Revolutionary War hero
Ben Franklin – scientist and Statesman
James Madison – Father of the Constitution
Some Famous Men Didn’t Attend
Thomas Jefferson – in France
John Adams – out of the Country
Patrick Henry – refused to attend

6. The Delegates Assemble
Delegates came with mixed ideas:
Some came to amend the articles
Some came to start over
All agreed the government should protect people’s rights
In 1776 Americans saw government as a threat to their rights.
In 1787 they saw the need for a government that could maintain order.

7. The Challenge
Set up a strong government that could maintain order and protect people’s rights
Limit that government so that it didn’t threaten people’s rights.

8. The Convention Begins
George Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention
Decision was made that discussions would remain secret
Windows were closed even though it was summer
Guards were placed at the doors.

9. The Virginia Plan
Edmund Randolph, governor of Virginia, presented the Virginia plan which was written by James Madison
3 branches
Legislature – make laws
Executive – enforced laws
Judiciary – interpreted laws

10. The Virginia Plan Two House legislature Legislative Powers
Representation based on population or wealth
Legislative Powers
Levy taxes
Regulate commerce
Make laws that states couldn’t
Large states supported the Virginia plan; small states opposed it.

11. The New Jersey Plan Legislature with one house
Equal representation for all states
Legislative Powers
Power to regulate trade
Power to raise money by taxing foreign goods

12. The Great Compromise
The Virginia Plan won and was selected as the framework for the Constitution
Debate continued over representation in the legislature
A compromise was found
Two house legislature
One house (Senate) with equal representation
One house (House of Representatives) with representation based on population

13. Slavery and the Constitution
Because representation in the House of Representatives was based on population delegates needed to determine who would be counted.
Southerners wanted slaves to be counted so they had more representatives.
Northerners didn’t want slaves to be counted.

14. Slavery and the Constitution
Northerners wanted slaves to be counted for taxation.
Southerners did not.

15. Three-Fifths Compromise
Three-fifths of the slave population would be counted when setting direct taxes on the states and to determine representation in the legislature.

16. Slave Trade Slavery was outlawed in several Northern states.
All northern states and several southern states had banned the importation of slaves.
Many northerners wanted the slave trade banned in the entire United States
South Carolina and Georgia refused to accept a plan that banned the slave trade
Compromised by agreeing slave trade couldn’t be banned before 1808

17. Regulating Trade
In exchange for the 1808 compromise the South agreed to a tax on the slave trade.
Southerners agreed to allow the national government to pass laws regarding exports, which would impact them significantly.
Most delegates were glad for the national government to regulate trade as this had been an issue of the Annapolis Convention.

18. Final Copy
September 15, 1787 the delegates voted for the Constitution in its final form.
September 17, 1787 all but three delegates signed the Constitution.
Washington sent it to the Confederation Congress for it to be sent to the states for ratification.