Constitutional Convention Constitutional Convention Why Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention Why? • Articles of Confederation didn’t work • Shay’s rebellion= Group of rebels took over an arsenal ( building with guns). Nation Falling apart and could not defend themselves (8. 3)

Who Was at the Convention? • 55 delegates from 12 states (no Rhode Island) • Average 42 • Well educated • Wealthy • 2/3’s lawyers • 1/3 owned slaves • (8. 4)

Issue 1: How should the states be represented in the new government? • Virginia Plan: – 2 houses of Congress and each house would be determined by population • New Jersey Plan: – 1 house congress and each state would get one equal vote (8. 5) • Resolution (8. 6) – Great compromise: called for 2 houses of congress. • House of Representative- based on population • Senate- each state has 2 equal senators elected by state Legislators

Issue 2: Should Slaves be counted as part of State’s Population? • North- Wanted slaves counted for taxation not representation • South- Wanted slaves counted for Representation not taxation (8. 7) • 3/5’s Compromise- 3/5’s of the slaves would be counted for both taxation and Representation (8. 8)

Issue 3: How should a leader be elected? • Some wanted congress to choose • Some wanted the people to choose • Some wanted a group of electors from each state that would look beyond states interest to choose (8. 9) • The Electoral College- – Executive would be chosen by a special body called electoral college. Delegates would be chosen by states (8. 10)

Convention Ends • Some feared that it gave national government too much power and didn’t protect people’s rights (8. 11) • Federalist papers– Articles written by James Madison , Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay urging ratification of the constitution (8. 12)

Constitution