1. Writing the Constitution
8-3.2

2. I. Why a constitution? The US was broke.
Depression and debt effected SC and the rest of the US.
The Philadelphia Convention was called to fix the Articles.
They were so bad they were thrown out.

3. II. Representation SC wanted a three branch government.
Executive branch enforces the laws.
Legislative branch makes laws.
Judicial branch judges the laws.

4. II. Representation SC supported the Virginia Plan.
Representation would be based on a state’s population.
Good for the large states.
SC was against the New Jersey Plan.
Representation would be equal with each state getting two votes.
Good for the small states.

5. II. Representation SC supported the Great Compromise.
It created a 2 house legislature (Congress).
House of Representatives is based on population (Virginia Plan).
Senate is equal with 2 votes per state (New Jersey Plan).

6. II. Representation The problem was what to do about slaves.
SC and the southern states wanted them counted in the population so the numbers would be higher.
Northern states felt that would make the numbers artificially high.

7. II. Representation The 3/5 Compromise settled the issue.
Each slave was counted as 3/5 of a person so the numbers were a little higher.
SC did not like this.

8. III. Trade SC was afraid that the gov’t would try to control trade.
SC made its money from exporting cash crops and taxes would hurt that.
SC used slaves to grow cash crops and taxes would hurt that.
Compromise said the federal gov’t could NOT regulate trade in any way for 20 years.

9. IV. Other issues
SC wanted a president with lots of powers for one term of 6 or 7 years.
SC also wanted only landowners to be able to hold office.
They thought landowners had more to lose so they’d work harder.
States have the ability to choose who gets to vote.

10. V. Ratification Lowcountry and Upcountry had plenty of tension.
The ratifying convention was held in Charleston even though Columbia was the capital.
This made it hard for people from Upcountry to travel.
Made it easier for those from Lowcountry to influence the vote.

11. V. Ratification Federalists were mostly from the Lowcountry.
They felt a strong gov’t would:
Help SC’s economy.
Expand trade.
Be stronger in foreign affairs.
Anti-Federalists were mostly from the Upcountry.
Abuse the people.
Gov’t would be too far away to help them.

12. V. Ratification
SC ratified the US Constitution on May 23, 1788 and became the 8th state.
Because of the anti-Federalists, the Bill of Rights was added.
The first 10 amendments.
This was done by the 1st Congress.