1. Chapter 11 Creating the Constitution Section 1: The Call for Change Imagine you are traveling across the US, & every time you cross a state, you have to pay a tax on that state’s goods. To make it worse, you might have to pay in a currency other than yours, or get another currency back as change.

2. Shay’s Rebellion Massachusetts outlaws paper money in 1781, forcing citizens to pay in gold & silver This hurt the farmers the worst because farming brought in little gold/silver Unable to pay debts, they were forced into jail In protest, farmers gathered outside the courthouse & stopped the sale of foreclosed farms

3. Shay’s Rebellion The hundreds of people marched to Springfield to try to get weapons & a skirmish erupted Although the rebellion had little organization, it showed that the government had little power to handle these situations What about future revolts????

4. Call for Convention Tensions over trade continued Convention met at Annapolis, Maryland 1786 Only 5 states showed up, so they decided not much could be done Hamilton wrote down faults of Articles Can’t settle disputes No taxes being collected Agreed to meet at Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confed.

5. Constitutional Convention Rhode Island didn’t come, but 55 men representing the other states did Average age of 40 ½ of the men were lawyers Patrick Henry: “I smell a rat” No women, lower class, or people of color were represented

6. The Convention Assembles Nominated Washington as president of the convention Agreed that all discussions would be secret To ensure this, they boarded the windows shut James Madison took most of the notes, even though he wasn’t secretary “father of the constitution”

7. Section 2: Conflict & Compromise Views on Government: Gov’t necessary to ensure liberty & natural rights of citizens Gov’t should be based on the consent of people People are too selfish to govern themselves

8. Virginia Plan (James Madison) Congress (makes laws) Representation based on population Made up of 2 houses 1 st house elected by people 2 nd house elected by first house Executive (carries out laws) US Courts (see that justice is done under laws) Debate: –Could the people really be trusted to elect worthy congressmen? –In order for the govt to be free, the ppl must elect govt

9. New Jersey Plan Congress made up of one house Each state would have = representatives

10. Great Compromise Proposed by Roger Sherman Legislature: Upper house: (senate) Equal representatives chosen by state lawmakers Lower house: (house of reps) –reps elected by people –Based on population

11. Other Compromises Trade: How much power should Congress have in trade? Congress control trade with other countries Congress couldn’t tax exports, just imports Congress could end slave trade in 20 years Slavery: Whether to include slaves in population count? 3/5 th compromise Every 5 slaves would count as 3 The constitution is officially recognizing slavery

12. Other Compromises Executive: (should it be 1 person or a committee) It would be 1 person Impeach: too keep them from getting too much power, they could be tried for misconduct) Electoral college would elect president

13. Section 3: Ratifying the Constitution Federalism: Sharing of power between a central (federal) government & its political subdivisions “The government is so new, It wants a name”

14. Two Parties Emerge Federalists Strongly in favor of new government & strong central government Wrote collection of papers called the Federalist Papers James Madison & Alexander Hamilton Anti-federalists Patrick Henry Opposed the new constitution because: –Loss of states’ powers –Loss of individual freedom

15. Federalists vs. Anti-federalists The federalists supported the constitution & the anti-federalists didn’t, Why????

16. Federalists vs. Anti-federalists Federalists: believed that the gov’t needed to be strong enough to deal with the nation’s problems & would protect individual rights Anti-Federalists: believed that a strong national gov’t would take all the power away from the states & trample individual rights

17. The States Decide The constitution was approved, but a Bill of Rights must be added

18. Chapter 11, Section 4 A More Perfect Union

19. The structure of the Government Separation of Powers Keeps any branch from getting too much power 3 Branches Judicial: interprets the laws –Courts Executive: enforces laws –Headed by the President Legislative: makes laws –Senate & House of Reps

20. Checks & Balances Each branch has some power over another branch Examples: Executive: President can veto laws Congress passes Congress: Can impeach the president Judicial: Courts can declare laws unconstitutional

21. Shared Powers Not all of the power rested in the national government Federal: Declare war Maintain military Shared: Impose taxes Borrow money State: Establish schools Establish local governments

22. The Ability to Change Amendments may be add In 200 years, only 27 amendments have been added Custom vs. Law President’s elects a cabinet of advisors even though it is not law, but by custom Supreme Court’s interpretation They can also change their minds

23. Critical Thinking Questions 1. What is arguably the most important document in US History? Why? 2. Why do you think the Constitution has stood the test of time? 3. Do you think the political differences brought up during the ratification process go away afterward? 4. Why do we have the separation of powers & checks & balances?