1. The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A New Government

2. A New Government (Post War - 1787) u u Articles of Confederation... the First Constitution u u Articles created a Confederation of States... a weak alliance of states. Reasons???

3. Problems with the Confederation u u Congress had no authority to make taxes or tariffs = NO $$$ u u No National $$, only State $$ u u Very Little Army (700 men) u u No Supreme Court System u u Major Changes to Articles required all 13 states approval

4. Land Expansion u u Ordinance of 1785 u u Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Failure of the Confederation

5. Leading up to Convention n Shays’ Rebellion (1786) n Failure of Articles n Annapolis Convention (1786)

6. Philadelphia Convention n Purpose (Extra-Legal) n Delegates n Ben Franklin, G. Washington n NOT Present: T. Jefferson, J. Adams, P. Henry

7. n Preliminary Decisions n James Madison...“Father”

8. Virginia Plan n 3 Branches n Bicameral Legislature n “Checks and Balances”

9. Problems for Discussion n Democracy n LARGE v. small States n Slavery n Power of President

10. n The “New Jersey” Plan n The “Great Compromise” n The “3/5-ths Compromise” n Debate over the President

11. n Judicial Branch n National Supremacy Clause n Elastic Clause... “necessary and proper” n Bill of Rights...George Mason (VA)

12. Ratification n Process n Federalists v. Antifederalists n Feds- J. Madison, A. Hamilton n AntiFeds- G. Mason, P. Henry n “The Federalist” Papers n Votes (1788) and Bill of Rights (1791)

13. Independence Hall

14. Interpretations of Framers n George Bancroft n Charles A. Beard n “An Economic Interpretation of the American Constitution

15. United States Constitution A “Living” Document