1. Constitutional Convention
Get your folder and have a seat

2. Skill Builder Read and answer questions on Shays’ Rebellion (p. 51).
What were three problems listed in the reading? (You must give the paragraph number where you found your answers.)
What were the demands of the demonstrators in Shays’ Rebellion?
Which weakness of the Articles of Confederation was highlighted during Shays’ Rebellion?

3. Opening Address - Gov. Edmund Randolph of VA
“(1) the Confederation produced no security against foreign invasion… (2) the [Confederate] government could not check the quarrels between states nor a rebellion in any… (3) there were many advantages which the United States might acquire [get], which were not attainable under the Confederation, such as a productive impost [ a tax on goods coming from other countries] – counteraction of the commercial regulations of other nations – pushing of commerce… (4) the [Confederate] government could not defend itself against the encroachments [improper intrusions] from the states…”
Which of the weaknesses identified by Governor Randolph do you feel was most important? Explain your answer.

4. Call to Revise the Articles
There were many problems facing the country under the Articles of Confederation
Merchants feared the loss of trade
Army officers feared the loss of their back pay
Lenders feared the loss of their loans to the government
Many people thought it was time for a change…

5. Revise or Replace?
Congress voted to keep their discussion from the public (to encourage a free exchange of ideas)
Option 1) Fix the Articles of Confederation
Option 2) Replace the Articles of Confederation with something else

6. What did they agree on?
The government in the Articles of Confederation was too weak.
The new legislature should have two houses (like the British Parliament)
House of Representatives – members would be elected directly by the people
Senate – should have “the most distinguished characters by rank and property” They would serve longer terms than the House of Representatives.

7. They also agreed… There should be a national executive (the President)
There should be a national judiciary (the Supreme Court)

8. What they did NOT agree on
Larger States
Smaller States
Thought it was unfair for smaller states to have an equal voice
Wanted the number of representatives to be based on population
Feared the larger states would abuse their power
Wanted each state to have an equal number of representatives

9. The “Great Compromise”
After two months of debate a compromise was agreed on
House of Representatives
Proportional Representation
Benefited the larger states
Senate
Each state gets two Senators
Benefited the smaller states

10. Ratification
So now that we’ve agreed on what it is, we have to vote on it…
Ratification means “to make official”
The Constitution would not go into force until was ratified (officially approved) by 9 out of 13 states
Each state held a convention and debated over whether the Constitution should be ratified

11. Federalists Anti-Federalists Approved of the Constitution
Warned if it was not approved the country might split apart or be invaded
Said it would not become oppressive because of safeguards
Did not need a “Bill of Rights”
Opposed the Constitution
Feared it would establish a central government just as oppressive as the British had been
Feared it would threaten personal liberties
Wanted to add a “Bill of Rights”

12. Classwork Read Document A and B (handout)
Answer the questions on the graphic organizer
Add the paper into your notebook