The Birth of the Constitution

The Articles of Confederation The first plan of government for the United States Established during the Revolutionary War Incredibly weak in creating a stable government Replaced by the United States Constitution

The Articles of Confederation Needed Unanimous Approval The Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution The Articles of Confederation The Constitution Federalism “A Firm League of Friendship” Representation of States Equal Taxation States Only Powers of Congress Foreign Relations Army & Navy Declare War Ambassadors Treaties Amendments Needed Unanimous Approval

Problems With the Articles of Confederation Shays’ Rebellion After the Revolutionary War, the state of Massachusetts would not issue more currency, foreclosed on farmers who couldn’t pay debts, & ruled from Boston Farmers, led by Daniel Shays, planned to overthrow the government; Massachusetts appealed for help from national government, which did not have resources Rebellion failed but proved need for new, stronger, national gov’t Economic Conditions Congress could not regulate trade between the states, had no uniform system of currency, and did not have the power to tax The results led to conflicts between the states that could not be solved and the inability to raise revenue for much needed services

The Constitutional Convention Met in Philadelphia in the Summer of 1787 The stated purpose was to “amend the Articles” In reality, a series of compromises would completely reform the government of the United States

Statistics From the 1790 Census Percentage of Population The Problems with Creating the Constitution Statistics From the 1790 Census State Population Percentage of Total Regional Population Number of Slaves Percentage of Population New Hampshire 141,885 4% 158 0% Massachusetts 378,787 10% Connecticut 237,946 7% 2,759 1% Rhode Island 68,825 2% 152 NEW ENGLAND 23% 827,443 New Jersey 184,139 5% 11,423 6% New York 340,120 9% 21,324 Pennsylvania 434,373 12% 3,737 MIDDLE STATES 958,632 NORTH OF MASON/DIXON 49% 1,786,075 39,853 Delaware 59,096 8,887 15% Maryland 319,728 103,036 32% Virginia 747,610 20% 293,427 39% North Carolina 393,751 11% 100,572 26% South Carolina 249,073 107,094 43% Georgia 82,548 29,264 35% THE SOUTH 51% 1,851,806 642,280 94% TOTAL POPULATION 3,637,881 SLAVE POPULATION 681,833

The Compromises to Create the Constitution THE VIRGINIA PLAN THE NEW JERSEY PLAN Major influence was James Madison Major influence was William Paterson Represented interests of larger states Represented interests of smaller states Would have created a bicameral legislative branch Would have created a unicameral legislative branch All representation would be based on a state’s population All representation would be equal – one vote per state

The Compromises to Create the Constitution THE VIRGINIA PLAN THE NEW JERSEY PLAN THE “GREAT COMPROMISE” A Bicameral Legislature The House of Representatives The Senate The Lower House Representation based on a state’s population Directly elected by voters Starts all revenue bills The Upper House Representation is equal – two votes per state Appointed by state legislatures initially – indirect representation

3 5 The Compromises to Create the Constitution THE THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE Interests of Southern States Interests of Northern States For the purpose of representation in Congress, slaves would count as 3/5 of a person (for taxation also) 3 Congress would agree that it would not regulate the international slave trade for at least 20 years. 5

The Compromises to Create the Constitution The Electoral College was the system designed to choose the President of the United States. Each state would send electors to cast votes for the President. Number of Senators + Number of Representatives = A State’s Number of Electoral Votes System showed a lack of trust in allowing the people to choose the Executive Branch

Amending the Constitution 2 It would be a process that would be difficult to add amendments. Since Constitution’s creation, there have only been 27 amendments to the Constitution. 2/3 of both houses of Congress + 3/4 approval of the states = A new Constitutional amendment Process takes into account interests of the states and the national government. 3 3 4

The Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution Federalism “A Firm League of Friendship” “A More Perfect Union” Nation & States Share Power Representation of States Equal Proportional (House) Equal (Senate) Taxation States Only State & Federal Level Powers of Congress Foreign Relations Army & Navy Declare War Ambassadors Treaties In Addition to Articles: Interstate Commerce Currency Stop Rebellions Amendments Needed Unanimous Approval 2/3 Both Houses of Congress + 3/4 States

Ratifying the Constitution Legally, 9 states had to ratify the Constitution; Realistically, all 13 needed to ratify the Constitution Federalists – those who supported the ratification of the Constitution; Anti-Federalists – those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution

Ratification succeeded and new government formed in 1789 Ratifying the Constitution FEDERALISTS ANTIFEDERALISTS Favored ratification of the Constitution Favored a powerful national government Would create a stronger economy & law and order Used Federalist Papers to make arguments Opposed ratification of the Constitution Felt powerful national government would threaten states rights Worried about unlimited terms Wanted a Bill of Rights to protect liberties Federalists promised an addition of a Bill of Rights to guarantee liberties to individuals and states Ratification succeeded and new government formed in 1789 James Madison drafted the Bill of Rights – first ten amendments to Constitution

James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay The Federalist Papers A collection of 85 essays that were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay Argued for the ratification of the Constitution by discussing the reasons why the Constitution would work for the new nation Alexander Hamilton John Jay

The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights 10th Amendment – A source of constant conflict, even still today The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.