(I will be choosing people to share their answers!) The American Revolution is over and Americans see the failures in our nation under the Articles of Confederation government. What were some of the failures our nation experienced under the Articles that had to be addressed? (I will be choosing people to share their answers!)

The Road to the Constitution A new government

Back to the Pennsylvania State House.

The Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 Independence Hall, Philadelphia An extraordinary group of men 55 men. Well-educated. Lawyers, merchants, military officers, and planters with considerable political experience.

The Boss Who was chosen to preside over the convention? George Washington Respected for his leadership during the Rev. War http://richmondthenandnow.com/Images/Famous-Visitors/George-Washington-big.jpg

Procedures of the Convention All meetings were in secret! Why…? This way, delegates could speak freely, without worry about how the public would react. No records were kept. How do we know what was discussed during these meetings?

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 plan was found unworkable and thrown away. http://www.uberreview.com/wp-content/uploads/grocery-bag-trash-can.jpg

The biggest disagreement How should each state be represented in the new congress? VS. Virginia vs. New Jersey Big state Small state http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/map/vamap.jpg http://www.pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/nj-counties-new.gif

Virginia Plan The Virginia Plan James Madison Bicameral legislature (2 houses), determined by population Favored big states

New Jersey Plan The New Jersey Plan Unicameral legislature (1 house) with equal representation (1 vote per state) in the congress. Favored by the smaller states.

The Great Compromise Roger Sherman of Connecticut comes up with the answer…a compromise Lower House House of Representatives Determined by population Favored larger states Upper House Senate Equal representation Favored smaller states Also known as… The Connecticut Compromise

How are slaves to be counted? Southern states wanted slaves to count in their population. Northern states did not want slaves counted in the state population. Why???

The Three-Fifths Compromise Every 5 enslaved persons would count as 3 free people = 60% Used for representation in Congress & figuring taxes.

Electoral College An elite group of people would be chosen by each state to choose the President, not the general voting public. (What does this say about the delegates’ opinion about the general voting public?) Each state given a certain number of votes, determined by their representation in Congress.

Commerce Compromise Congress could regulate (control) trade between states (Interstate commerce) & regulate imports. Congress could NOT regulate trade within each state (Intrastate commerce), 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 Division of power & checks and balances.

A Divided Public Some people liked the Constitution, others did not. Federalists = supporters of the new constitution & a strong federal government. Federalism = A form of government in which power is divided between the federal (national) government and the states.

The Federalist Papers The Federalist Papers - A total of 85 essays written to rally public support for the new constitution. Who wrote the essays? James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay under the pen name “ Publius.”

A Divided Public Anti-Federalists = People opposed to the constitution & a strong federal government “Don’t forget individual rights!”

Reaching an Agreement Anti-Federalists wanted to add a… Bill of Rights to protect individual rights. These are known as the “First 10 Amendments” to the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of Rights. The 10th Amendment is known as the “States Rights Amendment”

The Federalist Essays The importance of the media… Great examples of propaganda in American History.

Paul Revere’s “Boston Massacre” 1770

Federalist Number 51 “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” -James Madison What is Madison’s point?

Federalist Number 51 continued “In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” -James Madison

Strong :provide protection Weak: focus on states Issue Federalist Antifederalist Who: Hamilton, Madison, Jay Patrick Henry Central Government Strong :provide protection Weak: focus on states Interpretation Loose Strict Bill of Rights Eventually Without a doubt!!!! Supporters Wealth/industrial common/farmers Power of President Lots Little - no Kings!

The Constitution as a “living document.” The Framers of the Constitution wrote a very generalized document. Why? To allow future Americans flexibility. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S. Constitution. The nick name of this passage is the Elastic Clause. Can you tell why? Interpretation of the document.

Washington’s chair as Pres. of the Convention & Ben Franklin’s comment.

Review 1. What is a form of government in which power is divided between the federal (national) government and the states?

Review 2. What did the Anti-Federalists want to add to the Constitution? Why?

Review 3. Who was the father of the Constitution?

Review 4. The Anti-Federalists thought that the supremacy gives too much power to whom/what?

Review 5. Were the Anti-Federalists or the Federalists mostly made up of older, Southern men? 6. Who/what did the Anti-Federalists want to have the majority of power?

Review 7. What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers? Who largely supported the new U.S. Constitution?

Review 8. What was one argument against the Constitution by the Anti-Federalists?

Review 9. What was one argument for the Constitution by the Federalists? What makes the U.S. Constitution a “living document?”