Aim: How did the US Constitution create a stronger national gov’t than that of the Articles of Confederation? Do Now: The English Constitution was not a written document, it was more informal. When the time came for the Americans to draft their own constitution, they decided they needed a written constitution. Why do you think a written constitution seemed like such a good idea?

I. The Constitutional Convention A Constitutional Convention delegates representing all states except RI met in PA State House (Independence Hall), in Philadelphia 2. George Washington most famous delegate who was elected president of the Constitutional Convention 3. Some did not attend due to suspicion of the convention trying to create a strong national gov’t 4. women, Native Americans, African Americans or poor white men b/c had limited political & legal rights

B. Key Compromises at the Convention 1. delegates decided to write a new constitution instead of revising the Articles of Confederation 2. delegates task to create a gov’t with enough strength to govern while protecting individual liberties 3. all bills dealing with money would have to start in the House of Representatives but would need the approval of the Senate

II. Ratification of the Constitution A. Ratification remaining delegates in PA signed the Constitution after it was approved on September 17, out of 13 states must approve the Constitution for it to go into effect as written by the Framers 3. approval would be done through special conventions called in each state rather than through the state legislature

B. The Great Debate 1. Federalists-for/Anti-Federalists-against ratification 2. June 1788, 9 states gave their approval to ratify 3. success of the new gov’t depended upon the acceptance of VA & NY who did not give approval 4. VA approved Constitution by 10 votes but with amendments suggested 5. The Federalists- series of pro-ratification essays by Hamilton,Jay&Madison against Anti-Federalists, led by George Clinton, George Mason & Patrick Henry a) ratification of NY was by a margin of 3 votes

Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States

Questions for Discussion * Why was the US constitution was referred to as a “bundle of compromises”? * Why do you think the delegates kept the discussions a secret at the convention? * What opinions about gov’t were discussed & debated by the Framers? * What compromises did they reach in order to create the Constitution and ensure approval by the states? * Why were some groups opposed to the Convention? * Why was it essential for VA & NY to be among the states who ratified the constitution?