STARTER: Why would you not want the government to have TOO MUCH power? Why would you not want the government to have TOO LITTLE POWER?

Unit 2- the Constitution Identify the weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation that led to the need for the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQtJNK5_8Uk&src_vid=-TJg7PYM14E&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_868997&noredirect=1

Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation- The first constitution (written government) of America

MAIN PROBLEM: The Articles of Confederation “sucked” because _______________________ Weaknesses:

ONLY LASTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER THE ARTICLES- ORGANIZING THE WESTERN TERRITORIES:

Focus on Geography: Settling the Northwest Territory Northwest Ordinance and Land Ordinance of 1785 Policy for creating new states in territories Bans slavery north of the Ohio River Focus on Geography: Settling the Northwest Territory

How new states are formed: Congress appoints territorial governor and judges When population reaches 5000 voters, settlers create a temporary constitution and elect own government When population reaches 60000 free settlers, a state constitution is written, to be approved by Congress Once approved, we got a new state!

Shays’ Rebellion 1787 farmers/ veterans rebel against Massachusetts gov’t over high taxes and farm foreclosures- http://www.constitutioncenter.org

Reactions to Shays Rebellion: "I am mortified beyond expression when I view the clouds that have spread over the brightest morn that ever dawned in any country... What a triumph for the advocates of despotism, to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious." - - George Washington What is George Washington’s concern after Shays Rebllion? "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure. Our Constitutional Conventino has (made too much of Shays’ rebellion); and in the spur of the moment (I worry they will over-react) ” -- Thomas Jefferson What is Jefferson’s concern after Shays’ Rebellion?

Shays’ Rebellion 1787 farmers/ veterans rebel against Massachusetts gov’t over high taxes and farm foreclosures- Significance: convinces many of the need for a stronger national government to keep order http://www.constitutioncenter.org

1787- The Constitutional Convention

The Well Bred, the well wed, and the well fed Meet All states except Rhode Island send delegates to Philadelphia in May 1787 to amend the Articles of Confederation- becomes the Constitutional Convention 55 white men Mostly wealthy lawyers, merchants and planters “the well bred, the well fed, the well read, and the well wed” More than half attended college 23 had studied law; Average age 42 Youngest was 26 – Jonathan Dayton Oldest was Franklin, 81

James Madison- “Father of the Constitution” BRILLIANT PREPARED Arrives with “Virginia Plan” Day One: calls for a new Constitution to be written James Madison, Jefferson's secretary of state.. IRC. 2005. unitedstreaming. 27 July 2007 <http://www.unitedstreaming.com/>

George Washington- “President of the Convention” “out of retirement” for his country Gives legitimacy to the Convention Most think he will be 1st president- trust him George Washington at Princeton, early 1777.. IRC. 2005. unitedstreaming. 27 July 2007 <http://www.unitedstreaming.com/>

Ben Franklin- The Gracious Host Big name- adds credibility Held private meetings at home behind the scenes Second most famous American in the world after Washington Had been involved in almost every major moment of American history in 1700s Had several dinners and luncheons at his renovated Philadelphia home Image courtesy of American Philosphical Society http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/pictures/images/3b42331r.jpg

Alexander Hamilton Supported VERY strong Federal government. Wrote Federalist Papers with Madison to help get Constitution ratified http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-bmAqhMrX4 Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury.. IRC. 2005. unitedstreaming. 27 July 2007 <http://www.unitedstreaming.com/> Bank of the United States at Philadelphia, 1800.. IRC. 2005. unitedstreaming. 27 July 2007 <http://www.unitedstreaming.com/>

Homework: HOMEWORK: Take the quiz to find out who you will be at our Constitutional Convention log on to http://constitutioncenter.org/foundersquiz/ . Take the quiz to find out which founding father you will be at our Constitutional Convention. YOUR delegate’s name:______________________________________________ What state is he from?______________________________________________ Age:____________________________________________________ Click “to learn more about his contribution”. Write down three relevant facts about your delegate: 1- 2- 3-

So…..our key question: Can you identify two or three important weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the need for a new Constitution?

Group Work Expectations All are on task All participate Listen to each other respectfully; ask questions for clarification For this, all should be writing down information

Instructions- CREATE YOUR OWN PLAN Introduce “yourself” to group What states are you with? YOUR JOB- For each issue… For each issue, come up with a proposal as a group- 7 minutes Look out for the interests of YOUR state, but… May need to compromise to get anything accomplished Each member must loudly, clearly share ONE of your group and how you arrived at it. Our Convention will compare our results with the ones in 1787.

Population of States, (1790) Slave States: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware

1- Representation? THE GREAT COMPROMISE House of Representatives Number of members based on population of state Directly elected by citizens Elections every two years Senate Each state has two members Appointed by state legislatures (changed w/ 17th amendment 1/3 of the Senators have elections every six years