1. The Creation of the Constitution

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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
chart

8. 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
chart slightly changed

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

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

11. 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
chart

12. 3/5 Compromise – Slaves would equal 3/5 of a person to count in a states population

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

14. 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
chart slightly changed

15. 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