Conflict and Compromise THE ROAD TO THE CONSTITUTION

Spring of 1787  55 members from 12 states met in Philadelphia.  Goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation.  Ended up writing the Constitution.

Economic Trouble  The U.S. had entered a depression – economic activity slowed and unemployment increased.  Plantations had been destroyed and rich exports dropped.  Britain closed off trade to the West Indies. The little money there was went to pay foreign debts.  Farmers had trouble paying money because they could not sell their goods.

Shays’ Rebellion  Farmers that could not pay state taxes had their land confiscated.  Daniel Shays led a rebellion in Massachusetts to protest high taxes and demand change.  State militia killed 4 protestors in the assault. Event frightened many Americans who feared the government was too weak and would not be able to control unrest.

A Call for Change  Some prominent Americans calling for change were James Madison, a Virginia planter and Alexander Hamilton, a New York lawyer.  George Washington wasn’t convinced until he heard of Shays’ rebellion.  When Washington agreed to attend, things got serious.

The Constitutional Convention  Included George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.  Virginians Edmund Randolph and James Madison supported a strong national government.  James Madison is referred to as “the father of the Constitution”.  George Washington is unanimously elected to preside over the meetings.

The Virginia Plan  Edmund Randolph introduced the Virginia Plan.  Largely the work of James Madison.  Called for a two-house legislature, a chief executive, and a court system.  Members of both houses would be proportional. Based on the size and population of the state.

The New Jersey Plan  William Patterson creates the New Jersey Plan that would revise the Articles of Confederation.  States would be equally represented, regardless of population. Same number of representatives.  Kept one-house legislature, one vote for each state. Gave Congress the power to tax and elect a weak executive branch.

Do Now  After picking up a composition book, please write your name on it and start an entry with today’s date.  Write a paragraph analyzing what Benjamin Franklin meant when he said this: “I consent to this Constitution because I expect no better and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.”

Big vs. Small  Big states favored the Virginia plan because they got more of a say. Bigger population = bigger voice.  Small states favored the New Jersey plan because they thought they would get overshadowed. Equal representation = equal voice.  How do we please everyone?

The Great Compromise  A man from Connecticut named Roger Sherman suggested a two- house legislature.  Lower house – House of Representatives where representation is according to population.  Upper house – Senate where each state would have two members.

The Issue of Slavery  States south of Pennsylvania relied on slavery.  The plantation system worked best with slave labor.  Despite some states frowning upon slavery, freed slaves still faced heavy discrimination.

Three-fifths Compromise  Southern states wanted to count slaves as part of the population. Northern states objected.  Northern states said slaves should be counted for taxation, but not representation.  Compromise allowed for slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person. Every 5 slaves would count as 3 free people. They would count for both representation and taxation.  Nobody considered giving slaves the right to vote.

Approval  George Mason proposed a “Bill of Rights” to be included. He was worried that the national government might abuse its power. Mason’s proposal was defeated.  On September 17 th, 1787, delegates in Philadelphia signed the Constitution. Only 3 people refused including George Mason and Edmund Randolph.  The Constitution only needed 9 states to approve instead of all 13 states like the Articles of Confederation.

Benjamin Franklin “I consent to this Constitution because I expect no better and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.” He is saying that he approves because he thinks that it is a great effort to form a national government.