1. Bell Work What were some of the problems that faced the nation leading up to the Constitutional Convention? What were some of the problems that faced the nation leading up to the Constitutional Convention? This Day in History: September 29, 1780- British spy John André is court-martialed, found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging on this day in 1780. André, an accomplice of Benedict Arnold. September 29, 1913- Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the engine that bears his name, disappears from the steamship Dresden while traveling from Antwerp, Belgium to Harwick, England. September 29, 1941- The Babi Yar massacre of nearly 34,000 Jewish men, women, and children begins on the outskirts of Kiev in the Nazi-occupied Ukraine.

2. Group Work Articles of Confederation- What were the aspects of the Articles of Confederation? What were the weaknesses? Articles of Confederation- What were the aspects of the Articles of Confederation? What were the weaknesses? Northwest Territory- Explain Congress’ policies for dividing western lands including the Ordinance of 1785, the Northwest Ordinance, and the Land Act of 1800. Northwest Territory- Explain Congress’ policies for dividing western lands including the Ordinance of 1785, the Northwest Ordinance, and the Land Act of 1800.

3. Difficulties with other nations Britain refused to turn over its forts in U.S. territory to American control. Britain refused to turn over its forts in U.S. territory to American control. Britain closed off trade with the British West Indies and imposed high tariffs on American merchants. Britain closed off trade with the British West Indies and imposed high tariffs on American merchants. Spain closed the lower Mississippi to shipping. Spain closed the lower Mississippi to shipping.

4. Internal Problems The Confederation Congress had no power to regulate interstate commerce, making trade difficult across state lines. The Confederation Congress had no power to regulate interstate commerce, making trade difficult across state lines. Inflation was a problem in many states, which struggled to pay off war debts by printing money. Inflation was a problem in many states, which struggled to pay off war debts by printing money. –Money was not backed by gold or silver, so it was worth less. Loss of trade with Britain combined with inflation caused an economic depression. Loss of trade with Britain combined with inflation caused an economic depression. –Depression is a period of low economic activity combined with a rise in unemployment.

6. Shays’ Rebellion Daniel Shays led Massachusetts farmers in a revolt over high taxes and heavy debt in August 1786. Daniel Shays led Massachusetts farmers in a revolt over high taxes and heavy debt in August 1786. Shays’ Rebellion was put down by state troops in January 1787. Shays’ Rebellion was put down by state troops in January 1787. –Tried to force the shutdown of the Supreme Court in Massachusetts –No one’s property could be taken to pay off debts if the court was closed. Many citizens agreed with the rebels and their cause. Many citizens agreed with the rebels and their cause. –State officials freed most of the rebels.

7. Call for Change Shays’ Rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Confederation government, which could not respond to Massachusetts’s call for help. Shays’ Rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Confederation government, which could not respond to Massachusetts’s call for help. –People saw that the ideals of liberty were not protected. –People called for a stronger central government that could protect the nation in times of crisis. The Virginia legislature called for a national conference to change the Articles of Confederation. The Virginia legislature called for a national conference to change the Articles of Confederation. The Annapolis Convention held in September 1786 failed to act. The Annapolis Convention held in September 1786 failed to act. The Constitutional Convention was called in May 1787 in Philadelphia to revise the Articles. The Constitutional Convention was called in May 1787 in Philadelphia to revise the Articles.