1. Bell Work:
Based on the excerpt, answer the following questions: What practices were not allowed in the Northwest Territory? What was the legal status of escaped enslaved people in the Northwest Territory?

2. Constitutional Convention

3. Issues
Union of 13 individual states similar to old colonial governments
No strong national government

4. Convention Begins
May, 1787 – Philadelphia
55 delegates

5. Native Americans, African Americans, and women not represented; not considered part of the political process
Washington and Franklin attend – guarantee public trust
Does not amend (revise) Articles – creates a new constitution

6. Organization Washington chosen to lead the meetings
Each state has 1 vote on all questions
Decisions based on majority vote of states present
Sessions not open to the public

7. Foldable Create a foldable to explain each of the following plans:
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise

8. Slave Trade
Congress will not interfere in the slave trade until (north had already banned the slave trade; south considered it central to their economy)

9. Bell Work: Read and annotate Three-Fifths Compromise
Answer the two questions.

10. Bill of Rights
Some worry without a bill of rights (listing of people’s rights and freedoms), national government may abuse its power
George Mason, Virginia, proposed Bill of Rights to be included in the Constitution
Idea is defeated based on belief that the Constitution carefully defined powers and provided enough protection of individual rights

11. Approving the Constitution
September 17, 1787 – delegates assemble to sign Constitution; 3 refused because it did not have a Bill of Rights
Approved draft sent to the states for their approval
Needed 9 out of the 13 states to approve to go into effect