1.  By the mid 1780’s  It was clear that the Articles of Confederation was not working for the United States.

2.  Could not control interstate commerce  Trade between states ▪ Each state had its own money and tariffs  This led directly to America going into a depression ▪ Economic downturn combined with high unemployment

3.  Slavery in States  North ▪ No slaves ▪ Blacks were free!  South ▪ Slaves were necessary for economic survival! ▪ Helped keep price of cotton and tobacco low.

4.  Sept. 1786  Representatives from Virginia tried to organize a convention in Annapolis, MD for states to talk about issues ▪ Convention ▪ Meeting held by governments  Problem… ▪ Only 5 states showed up! ▪ What do you do?

5.  Next meeting was to be in Philadelphia, PA in May 1787.  Start demanding changes to the AOC: ▪ Make a strong federal government that can force states to work together ▪ Might want to include:  Executive branches (President)  Judicial branches (Supreme Court) ▪ But, how do you get states to come to this meeting?  You need something bad to happen!

6.  Daniel Shays leads armed rebellion against state officials  What is the issue? ▪ Farmers were being kicked off their land for not paying off their debts to state governments!  What happens? ▪ Farmers start killing state officials.

7.  Nothing..  However, people are beginning to ask ▪ “How were we able to beat the world’s largest empire to gain independence but could not keep order in peacetime???” ▪ We need a new government!! A strong government!! ▪ This gets the states to go to Philly, PA in 1787

8.  May 1787  Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia, PA ▪ Goal = make a new government  Held in Independence Hall ▪ Same place we signed the Declaration of Independence

9.  Virginia Plan  Led by James Madison  Called for a large federal government with 3 branches ▪ Executive ▪ President ▪ Legislative ▪ Bicameral  # of members/state = size of population ▪ Judicial ▪ Supreme Court  New Jersey Plan  Led by William Paterson  Called for a large federal government with 3 branches ▪ Executive ▪ President ▪ Legislative ▪ Unicameral  Each state has 1 representative ▪ Judicial ▪ Supreme Court

10.  Executive Branch  Led by an elected official called President  Legislative Branch  Bicameral legislation ▪ Senate ▪ Each state has one member (makes it equal) ▪ House of Representatives ▪ # of members from each state = size of population  Judicial Branch  Supreme Court

11.  What do we do about slavery?  The North wants to get rid of it all together!  The South wants to count their slaves as people! ▪ Gets them a larger population ▪ = more members in House of Representatives!! ▪ So, on to the next debate…..

12.  What is interstate commerce?  What is the Constitutional Convention?  What is the difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?