The Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention

Weaknesses of the Articles No power to tax No regulation of trade No executive branch No national courts Unanimous vote for amendments Only one vote per state (equal power) 9/13 to pass laws “league of friendship” States too powerful

Shays’ Rebellion Farmers losing homes Unresponsive Mass. Legis. High property taxes High interest rates Foreclosure sales Farmers closed down courts Plans to take weapons arsenal Guilty of TREASON.. Pardoned Need for stronger (new) govt.

Articles of Confederation Successes! Failures...

Successes of the Articles LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785 –TOWNSHIPS 6 x 6 MILES –$1 PER ACRE –MONEY FOR EDUCATION NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787 –ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT –5 STATES (INCLUDING ILLINOIS) –NO SLAVERY ALLOWED

Land Ordinance of 1785

Northwest Territory of 1787

The Constitutional Convention To REVISE the Articles Summer of 1787 (Philadelphia) Secret meetings George Washington- President James Madison- main writer Ben Franklin- oldest – glue – wit and humor John Adams and T. Jeffferson absent

"Remember, that time is money.” "If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty." "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." "A penny saved is a penny earned." "Fish and visitors smell in three days." "Genius without education is like silver in the mine." "Haste makes waste." "He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing."

Virginia Plan Madison’s proposal Large state plan Bicameral legislature –Representation based on population –Assembly elected by people –Senate chosen by Assembly

more on the VA Plan The legislature was very powerful An executive to ensure the will of the legislature was carried out, and was so chosen by the legislature Formation of a judiciary, with life-terms of service The executive and some of the national judiciary would have the power to veto legislation, subject to override National veto power over any state legislation

New Jersey Plan Small state plan Unicameral legislature Equal representation for states

Hamilton’s Plan A bicameral legislature The lower house, the Assembly, was elected by the people for three year terms The upper house, the Senate, elected by electors chosen by the people, and with a life-term of service An executive called the Governor, elected by electors and with a life-term of service The Governor had an absolute veto over bills A judiciary, with life-terms of service State governors appointed by the national legislature National veto power over any state legislation

Great Compromise BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE SENATE – 2 PER STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES –# Reps. based on population –Minimum of 1 Rep.

Three-fifths Compromise How should slaves be counted for population purposes? –SOUTH: count all –NORTH: don’t count 5 slaves = 3 people DO THE MATH: –1000 SLAVES = ???? PEOPLE –25,000 SLAVES = ???? PEOPLE

The debate begins 9 states had to approve Constitution Two opposing groups: –Federalists (supporters of strong Constitution) –Anti-Federalists (against ratification) NOT ENOUGH POWER FOR STATES FED. GOVT. TOO STRONG FEARED TAXATION POWER OF FED. GOVT. NO “BILL OF RIGHTS” WRITTEN BY THE WELL-TO-DO FAVORED NORTHEASTERN STATES (TARIFFS) 9 states ratified by 1788 All states by 1790