THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ECONOMIC PROBLEMS Need for major

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS � Need for major change to the Articles of Confederation � U. S. was in depression � What is a depression?

SHAY’S REBELLION � In 1786 all of this finally came to a boil with Shay’s Rebellion � Rebels Led by Daniel Shay attached the Federal arsenal in protest of the government ceasing of farmer’s land other economic problems. � Demonstrated a need for a strong national government.

THE ISSUE OF SLAVERY � Manumission – the freeing of individual enslaved persons. � Increased in the North � The question of slavery still an issue.

CALL FOR A CHANGE � Some leaders saw the need for a stronger national government. � 55 Delegates met in May 1787 to discuss � Native Americans, African Americans , and women were not allowed.

VIRGINIA PLAN � 2 houses: representation determined by state population – Proportional. � Lower House: elected by the people � Upper House: elected by the lower house � Would give larger states more power.

NEW JERSEY PLAN � 1 house: one vote for each state, regardless of size � Congress could set taxes and regulate trade though. � Small states supported.

THE GREAT COMPROMISE � Also known as the Connecticut Compromise � 2 houses: The Senate and House of Representatives � Senate: each state would have an equal number of votes in the Senate. � House of Representatives was set according to state populations.

CONSTITUTION & SLAVERY � Southern states wanted the slaves to be counted as part of the population for representation. � Northern states, who had few slaves, argued that slaves should not be counted for representation but should be counted for taxation. � Three-Fifths Compromise: Three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for both the legislature and taxation

BILL OF RIGHTS � The first ten amendments that were put in place to protect the rights of citizens from a strong Federal government.