Warmup 1.9 Describe what you believe to be the 2 most significant causes of the American Revolution. Describe how you think each of the events will impact the founders of the new nation as they establish a new government.

The Constitution and New Government

The Articles of Confederation: The First Constitution The federal government had limited powers, most powers were left to the states. States created their own currency and regulated trade. Federal gov. had no power to tax and no executive branch.

Iv. Shays’ rebellion Farmers rebelled because they could not afford to pay taxes. The federal government can not raise money to put down the rebellion. Shows the government under the articles is weak.

IV. Constitutional Convention A. Two competing plans for representation 1. Virginia Plan- representation based on population (Big states like this!) 2. New Jersey Plan- Equal representation, one state = one vote

C. The Great Compromise 1. Two houses in congress, one will be based on population (house) and the other will have equal representation. (Senate)

V. What about Slaves? Slave states want slaves to be counted for representation but free states did not want them to be counted. Delegates agreed on the 3/5 compromise which counted slaves as 3/5 of a person.

VI. Ratification The Constitution could not become law of the land until 9 of the 13 states ratified (approved) it. A debate evolved over ratification between the federalist and the antifederalist.

VII. The Bill of Rights First ten amendments to the Constitution. Many antifederalists agreed to vote to ratify the constitution with the assurance that The Bill of Rights would be added to guarantee personal rights and freedoms.