The Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Convention Off

The Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Convention

Off the Bat: Wed/Thurs �If you were to create your own Constitution, what laws/ideas would you include? Explain at least 3 components.

Agenda � 1. Notes: The Articles of Confederation � 2. Intro to Shay’s Rebellion � 3. Read documents pertaining to Shay’s Rebellion and discuss colonists’ reactions � 4. Notes: The Constitutional Convention

The Articles of Confederation �https: //prezi. com/ros 6 ntsov 2 lv/copy-of-articles-of- confederation/

Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak? What we didn’t like about the British. . . So the Articles of Confederation… • Taxation without representation • Large central government (monarchy) had all the power • States always had to listen to the king • All power was in the King’s hands. • King could change the rules/laws any time • Federal government could not tax • States didn’t have to follow laws and treaties. • States had their own laws and didn’t have to follow any other states’ laws • No executive branch or national court system. • Any amendment required all 13 states

What’s the Problem? �Federal government could not tax; very difficult to raise money. �States didn’t have to follow laws and treaties. �Each State had its own laws. �No executive branch or national court system. �Any amendment required all 13 states, so very difficult to modify.

Shay’s Rebellion �Read the “textbook account” of Shay’s Rebellion. � • What happened in Shay’s rebellion? � • How is it connected to the Articles of Confederation? � • According to the textbook, how did Americans respond?

Central Questions �Did all Americans think the Articles of Confederation were too weak? How did Americans react to Shays’ Rebellion?

Assignment �Read the documents and respond �Write 1 paragraph in response to the question: “Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? ”

The Constitutional Convention �After 10 years living under the Articles, it was clear the loose association of 13 independent states was not working. �National govt. needed to be strengthened. �Delegates met in Philadelphia. All attended except Rhode Island.

The Convention �Began May 25, 1787 in Independence Hall. � 55 men: well-educated, lawyers, merchants, college presidents, generals, governors, planters � 8 were signers of the Declaration of Independence �Native Americans, African Americans, women not included

The Delegates �Chose George Washington to preside �Agreed that all sates would have one vote �Simple majority (7 votes) would decide any issue �Work would be secret �Only details today come from a notebook kept by James Madison of Virginia

A New Constitution �Delegates quickly decided that the Articles were beyond fixing and set about creating a new constitution.

Virginia Plan �Proposed by James Madison and Edmund Randolph �Included a president, courts, and Congress with 2 houses. �Representation in each house would be based on a state’s population. �Who would this appeal to?

The New Jersey Plan �Called for a government similar to the one under the Articles. �One house Congress with equal representation for each state �Congress could set taxes and regulate trade �Who would this appeal to?

The Great Compromise �Combination of New Jersey and Virginia Plans �Proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut � 2 Houses

Three-Fifths Compromise �More than 550, 000 African Americans enslaved in the South �Issue: Should they be counted for population? �South said yes: WHY? �North said no: WHY? �Compromise: Every 5 enslaved people would count as 3 free people

Other Compromises �Issue of trade -North believed Congress should regulate foreign trade and trade between states -South feared tax on exports and limits on slave trade Compromise: Congress could regulate trade but could not tax exports or interfere with the slave trade before 1808

Electing the President �Some believed Congress should choose the President, others believed the people should vote �Compromise: The Electoral College

�Delegates worked throughout the summer �Constitution signed September 17, 1787 (All but 3 delegates signed) �Constitution had to be ratified (approved) by 9/13 states to take effect