1. Do you believe the Articles of Confederation could have survived with out changes?

2. Assembly of the Demi-Gods
Who were the Delegates? (Read the handout)
Delegates were the “well-bred, the well-fed, the well-read, and the well-wed”
Wealthy Merchants of the North
Wealthy Slave holders of the South
Today’s Government
Senate – 67 millionaires
Sen - $2.6 mill average worth
House $750,000 average
Avg Salary - $175,000
$96,000 average family
Hard to run
Cant relate
Inside tips

3. The Constitutional Convention
Many were frustrated with the Articles of Confederation: farmers, veterans, merchants doing business between states, and creditors of the Continental Congress who had not been paid.
Congress called all the states to meet in Philadelphia in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation.
12 states attended some or all of the meetings.
Politicians in Rhode Island were opposed to a stronger government; they chose not to take part in the convention.
James Madison kept a detailed account of the convention in his diary.

4. Constitutional Convention
May of 1787
Named Washington President.
Most recognized the need for change.
With in 5 days scrap the Articles.
Recognized the need for a stronger central government

5. Three Major Debates 1. Strong Central government vs. Strong States.
2. Large States vs. Small States.
3. Slavery

6. Making a Consitituion
No Chief Executive
No National Court System
No Power to Draft Soldiers
No Power to Control Interstate Commerce
No Power to Enforce Treaties
No Power to Collect Taxes from the States
Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote)
No National Currency
Difficult to Amend
(Unanimous Vote Needed to Change Articles)
Outline a Constitution you would make addressing the following issues:
Weaknesses of the Articles
Balancing Power
Slaves?

7. Ideas for Constitution

8. Virginia Plan Virginia Plan – James Madison/Edumnd Randolph
Three Branches of Gov’t.
Bi Cameral (two) House
Both would be based on population.
Proportional Representation
Who does this favor?
Pros/Cons?

9. # of Congressmen determined by state population
Virginia Plan
Proposed by big states
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral (2 Houses)
Based on Population
Elected by the 1st house
Elected by the people
# of Congressmen determined by state population

10. New Jersey Plan Who does this favor? Pros/Cons
New Jersey Plan – William Paterson
Unicameral House (one house)
Equal number of representatives.
Expand Congress’s power
Right to tax
Elect an executive
Who does this favor?
Pros/Cons

11. Supported by smaller states
New Jersey Plan
Supported by smaller states
Lawmaking body:
Unicameral (1 House)
Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes
Based on Equality

12. The Great (Connecticut) Compromise
The Great Compromise – Roger Sherman
Bi-Cameral House
One house based on population.
One house had equal representation

13. The Great Compromise This was a combination of both plans…
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)
Senate
House of Representatives
Each state gets 2 representatives
# of reps. would depend on populations

14. Compromises on Slavery
Southern states wanted to count all slaves for representation purposes but none for taxation.
Northern states objected.
In order to maintain unity between North and South, delegates agreed to a clause allowing the slave trade to continue for 20 years.
Another clause, the fugitive slave clause, stated that a slave who fled to another state had to be returned to his or her original state.

15. Slavery…That is the Question.
Who should be counted as part of the population?
Unity vs. Ideology
3/5ths compromise
Representation
Taxes
Slave Trade could not be touched until 1808
Fugitive Slave Clause

16. What issues did the Constitution leave unresolved?1. 2. 3.