The American Revolution is over…but now the colonists have to decide how they want to frame their government. Take the first 5 minutes of class and imagine that you were a colonist that just fought against the British. Take out a sheet of paper and write a letter (using full sentences!) to George Washington telling him what you want him to remember when the delegates are making our Constitution. Hints: taxes, voting, your region, religion, etc. (I will be choosing people to share their answers!)

November 20, 2013 Objective: The Students Will: Describe the Constitutional Convention including who went and what was done Agenda Mini-lecture with notes Hip Hughes Video 2

The Road to the Constitution

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Quick Review Declaration of Independence Result of tensions from Intolerable Acts, writs of assistance (right to search and seize property without permission), and taxes without representation. Second Continental Congress Approved July 4, 1776 The Articles of Confederation our first constitution Weak federal government Shay’s Rebellion,

Strengthening the National Government 1787 Problems with the Articles of Confederation States sent delegates to Philadelphia to fix the A.O.C. Rhode Island did not go…they did not want a stronger central government

The Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 Independence Hall, Philadelphia An extraordinary group of men 55 white men Well-educated, elite Lawyers, merchants, college presidents, doctors, generals, governors, and planters with considerable political experience

Who was there? Who missed it? Benjamin Franklin 81, oldest delegate George Washington & James Madison Both would become president Thomas Jefferson & John Adams missed it Both were in Europe Patrick Henry Prominent Virginian He was invited but did not attend; he was against the convention

The Boss Who was chosen to preside over the convention? George Washington Respected for his leadership during the Rev. War

Procedures of the Convention Each state was only allowed one vote Majority votes from all states made decisions All discussions were a secret! Why…? This way, delegates could speak freely, without worry about how the public would react

Importance of the Constitutional Convention “I would bury my bones in this city rather than leave the Convention without anything being done.” -George Mason at the Constitutional Convention *Everyone knew that failure could mean disaster*

What happened to the… Articles of Confederation? They throw it away The Founding Fathers decided to write a new constitution

Two Opposing Plans VS. Virginia vs. New Jersey

We The People Lesson #12 Read pages Answer “What do you think?” (p. 66) #1-3 in complete sentences. Answer “Review the lesson” (p. 67) #1-3 in complete sentences. Fill out the graphic organizer on the plans 14

Two Opposing Plans The Virginia Plan James Madison 3 branches of government Bicameral legislature (2 houses), determined by population Favored big states

Two Opposing Plans The New Jersey Plan William Patterson 3 branches of government Unicameral legislature (1 house) with equal representation Favored smaller states

What’s the big deal? What was the big issue? How representation in Congress would be decided Larger states wanted more power; smaller states wanted equal power

The Great Compromise Lower House House of Representatives Determined by population 2 year terms Favored larger states Upper House Senate Equal representation 6 year terms Favored smaller states Also known as… The Connecticut Compromise What is a compromise? A way of resolving disagreements in which each side gives up something but gains something else

More arguing? What now? Controversy over counting slaves as a part of the population… At this time, there were 550,000 enslaved African Americans, mostly in the South

What to do with slave populations? Southern states said… slaves are part of the population so that means more representatives for southern states Northern states said… slaves cannot vote or participate in government, they should not give the south more representatives

The Three-Fifths Compromise The conflict was finally resolved… Three-Fifths Compromise Every 5 enslaved people would count as 3 free people Used for representation in Congress & figuring taxes

Another compromise How to elect a president? Some say… “Let Congress pick!” Others say… “Let the people choose!” The compromise…

Electoral College A group of people would be chosen by each state to choose the President Each state given a certain number of votes, determined by their representation in Congress THEY vote for the President

One last compromise Conflicts over commerce & the slave trade Congress could regulate (control) trade between states & other countries However, they could NOT tax exports or interfere with the slave trade (for 20 years)

Finished…finally! September 17, 1787, finished up the Constitution Delegates signed it, said the Constitution would become the law of the land when… 9 out of 13 states ratified (approved) it

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