1. Why did the delegates meet at the Constitutional Convention?
What provoked Shay’s Rebellion?
Under the Articles of Confederation, sovereignty was in the hands of __________.

2. Oct. 20, 2016 Bellringer Constitution Search Compromises Chart
Quiz over the compromises Oct. 24
Oct. 24/25– work on essay/outline/research paper. Laptops will be available or bring your own
Outline due Oct. 27/28

3. The Constitution: A New Way of Government (?)

4. Working in your groups look at the Constitution and complete the Who Really Won? questions.

5. Constitutional Convention Philadelphia 1787
Goal – fix Articles, or form new gov’t altogether?
Characteristics of delegates?
39 of 55 served in Congress
Mostly wealthy
Most age 30-50
19 slaveholders
Over half lawyers
Mostly from large eastern towns & cities
At least 14 land speculators
At least 24 creditors
At least 11 merchants/shippers
Several planters
No small farmers
No mechanics

6. Major Problems of the Convention
Representation In Congress?
Big states vs. small states
VA Plan – Congressional rep. based on state population
More people = more representation
Small states did not like this plan
James Madison
NJ plan – equal rep. for all states
One vote per state
Small state like this plan
William Paterson
Both plans propose 3 separate branches of government
Connecticut Compromise - bicameral legis.
House based on size,
Senate 2 votes each state
Roger Sherman

7. How should population be counted for representation and taxation?
Northern States:
Salves should NOT be counted for representation, but they SHOULD be counted for taxation
Southern States:
Slaves SHOULD be counted for representation, but they should NOT be counted for taxation

9. Major Problems of the Convention
Legality of Slavery?
Not really debated
Why not?
Limitations?
Importation banned after 1808
States cannot harbor fugitives (reciprocity)
1st Fugitive Slave Law
Do slaves count as people?
3/5 Compromise
Rationale?

10. Slave Trade and Commerce Compromise Should government regulate business, including the slave trade?
Northern States:
Wanted government to regulate business, to help northern industry
Protect their property rights
Did not want to have to return escaped slaves to their owners
Southern States:
Did not want government to regulate business, because it would not help southern agriculture
Were afraid government would end the slave trade
Wanted northerners to return escaped slave (property) to owners
Compromise:
Government could regulate business, but promised not to end the slave trade for 20 years
Escaped slaves would be returned to owners

11. Major Problems of the Convention
Fear of excessive centralized power – valid concern?
Things done to lessen fears?
Separation of powers
Checks and balances
Bill of Rights –
Fear of the rabble – valid concern?
Electoral college
Senators not directly elected
Who would have agreed with this statement?

12. Electoral College
1789
2012

13. Checks & Balances President – Can sign or veto laws
Can appoint cabinet & SC Justices
Can make treaties
Commander-in-chief of military
Congress
Creates laws
Can override veto with 2/3 vote
Approves cabinet appts.
Approves SC appts.
Approves treaties
Declares war
Can impeach Pres. For crimes
Supreme Court
Hears & decides cases involving fed. Gov’t, states, Constitution
Serve for life unless retire

14. Ratification Federalists Anti-federalists Supported ratification
Federalist Papers – Madison, Hamilton, Jay
Argued strong gov’t would protect minority interests from majority (Fed. #10)
Washington and Franklin federalists
Anti-federalists
Feared too much power
Some supported ratification if power were more limited
Got Bill of Rights added
Incl. George Mason, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee

15. Key Figures & Influences
GW – chairman
Ben Franklin – the “peacemaker”
James Madison – chief architect (The Father of the Const.)
Gouverneur Morris – wrote it out
Roger Sherman – Great Compromise
Bill of Rights based largely on ideas in 2 documents:
VA Statute for Rel. Freedom (TJ)
VA Declaration of Rights (Mason)

16. Less Radical???
State Constitutions written during (and right after) the Revolution?
Where did the power go?
Assembly/legislatures
Why?
Assemblies more representative of people, less executive authority
State Constitutions written after the Articles of Confederation proved weak?
Where did power go?
More back to executive branch, and to upper houses of assemblies
Fear of too radical a democracy, “mobocracy,” desire for more centralized gov’t

17. Aftermath What ideas are contained in the Bill of Rights? Why?
Was the ratification of the Constitution a step back in a more conservative direction after the American Revolution?