May 1781 Constitutional Convention

Shay’s Rebellion

Constitutional Convention  May 1787  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  12 of the 13 states were present.  Rhode Island refused to send a delegate because it was afraid of losing its states' rights.  Worked for 4 months behind closed doors of the State House to draft a new document known later as the "Constitution."

Writing the Constitutions  The Constitutional Convention met for 4 months. The 55 delegates were seldom all together at once because the weather was bad and travel was difficult.  About 35 delegates were present during the process of writing the Constitution

Constitutional Convention Invitation Design an invitation that will be sent to prospective delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The invitation should include information about Extend an invitation to all delegates of the 13 states State the purpose of the convention- Revising of the Articles of Confederation When: May 17 th 1787 – completion Where: Pennsylvania State House, Philadelphia, PA Some of the “famous attendees” – who will be invited: G. Washington, T. Jefferson, B. Franklin, J. Madison What will be accomplished:

Examples

Constitutional Convention Card Name Colony: Age: Occupation: College: Attended the Continental Convention YES NO Proposal: ________ I was known for __ at the Constitution Federalist Anti- federalist

Create a Nametag  FRONT  Name  Colony  Personal Designs  BACK  Federalist vs. Anti Federalist  INSIDE  1-2 unique things about your framer

Extension  Create a journal entry or blog your from your delegate.  Create Facebook page for delegate.

Colony: Delegate Georgia Abraham Baldwin Few Connecticut Oliver Ellsworth Roger Sherman Delaware Gunnuing Bedford Jr John Dickinson Massachusetts King Elbridge Gerry Maryland James McHenry Martin New Hampshire John Langdon Gilmore New Jersey James Patterson David Brearley New York Alexander Hamilton Robert Yates North Carolina Hugh Williamson Blount

Pennsylvania Benjamin Franklin James Wilson Gouverneor Morris Virginia James Madison George Washington Mason South Carolina John Rutledge Pickiney

Let the Work Begin  George Washington was elected the leader  His job was to keep the meeting orderly & effective  Rules  Each state was given one vote  Any delegate could voice than opinion  All proceedings would be kept secret until finished

Virginia Plan – Edmund Randolph  Bi-cameral house  Based on population or money contributions Representation

New Jersey Plan – William Patterson  One-house legislature based  representatives selected by state leg.  One vote per state Representation

Great Compromise  CONNETICUT  Roger Sherman Equal 2 per state = 50Based on population

3/5 th Compromise  Slaves could not vote  Slaves would count for three-fifths of a person for determining both representation and taxation.

Signing of the Constitution  Governor Morris of New Jersey put the Constitution in its final form.  He competed the task of hand-writing 4,300 words in two days!  The Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787.

Ratifying the Constitution  The Federalist Papers  85 essays supporting the ratification of the Constitution Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay  Federalist  Those who supported the new Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution

Bill of Rights  Anti – Federalist  delegates who refused to ratify the Constitution  James Madison  wrote 12 amendments/ ten were approved  Bill of Rights  1 st ten amendment to the Constitution