Confederation to Constitution Section 2: Creating the Constitution Section 2: Creating the Constitution Section 3: Ratifying the Constitution Section 3: Ratifying the Constitution

The United States still had: “ The Articles of Confederation ” But the country REALLY needed to change some things But the country REALLY needed to change some things Taxes were very high from state to state. Taxes were very high from state to state. Trade in general had some issues. Trade in general had some issues. States were even arguing over water / river rights. States were even arguing over water / river rights.

So, it was decided to hold a “ Constitutional Convention ” 55 “ delegates from around the states met, including many of America ’ s most famous men. 55 “ delegates from around the states met, including many of America ’ s most famous men. (a person named to act as a representative) (a person named to act as a representative) George Washington (came out of retirement) George Washington (came out of retirement) Benjamin Franklin (famous scientist and statesman) Benjamin Franklin (famous scientist and statesman) James Madison (read over 100 books in preparation for the convention) James Madison (read over 100 books in preparation for the convention) Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were overseas – but wrote letters to the convention Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were overseas – but wrote letters to the convention

But… there were no: Native Americans Native Americans African Americans African Americans Women Women These groups of people were not considered to citizens and they were not invited. These groups of people were not considered to citizens and they were not invited.

The first thing they had to do: Elect a president (only of the convention) Who else were they going to choose? Who else were they going to choose? This person was more respected and admired than any other American at the time. This person was more respected and admired than any other American at the time. He gave a quiet, and dignified leadership to the convention. He gave a quiet, and dignified leadership to the convention.

The rules of the convention All ideas should be considered All ideas should be considered People could change sides if they wanted. People could change sides if they wanted. All discussions would remain secret (even the windows were shut – in the hot summer). All discussions would remain secret (even the windows were shut – in the hot summer). Guards were posted outside. Guards were posted outside. When any outsider came in the room, everyone stopped talking. When any outsider came in the room, everyone stopped talking.

There were 2 major proposals for a new government structure The Virginia Plan The Virginia Plan A government with 3 “ branches ” (legislative, executive, and judicial) A government with 3 “ branches ” (legislative, executive, and judicial) A legislature with 2 “ houses ” – but each of these branches representatives numbers would be based on state populations. A legislature with 2 “ houses ” – but each of these branches representatives numbers would be based on state populations. The New Jersey Plan The New Jersey Plan A legislature with only one house – and each state would have 1 vote. A legislature with only one house – and each state would have 1 vote.

Eventually they came up with a compromise: called “ The Great Compromise ” “ The Great Compromise ” And.. We ended up with the government structure we still have today And.. We ended up with the government structure we still have today

But… if state legislature ’ s representatives were based on populations… Do they count slaves or not? Do they count slaves or not? With slaves, the South had more people than the north. With slaves, the South had more people than the north. That might throw off the balance of the representatives – and the votes (and give the South more power than the North wanted them to have). That might throw off the balance of the representatives – and the votes (and give the South more power than the North wanted them to have). The Compromise was to count each slave as 3/5 of a person. The Compromise was to count each slave as 3/5 of a person. This was called: The Three-Fifths Compromise. This was called: The Three-Fifths Compromise.

Before these compromises and new plan were finalized… They had to be voted on by the states. They had to be voted on by the states. Finally enough states, and then all the states passed the new constitution – but not before… Finally enough states, and then all the states passed the new constitution – but not before… A “Bill of Rights” was added to the Constitution. A “Bill of Rights” was added to the Constitution. Americans were concerned they might need some protections against the national government. Americans were concerned they might need some protections against the national government. Federalists: wanted states and the national government to each have powers Anti-federalists: felt states and people might lose their rights to the national government

First Amendment – Establishment clause, freedom of religion, speech, and press, and peaceable assembly as well as the right to petition the government. Second Amendment – Right to keep and bear arms. Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops. Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure. Fifth Amendment – Due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, private property. Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and other rights of the accused. Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury. Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment. Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights. Tenth Amendment – Powers of states and people.

One of our 6 essential questions is: What is revolutionary change? Changing the Articles of Confederation into the new constitution showed that many Americans were unhappy and wanted some changes. Who do you feel could be responsible for initiating a revolutionary change and why them?