2. BONUS: (Put answers near name on scantron)

3. Unit 2- the Constitution 1781- 1791

4. STARTER: Why would you not want the government to have TOO MUCH power?
Why would you not want the government to have TOO LITTLE POWER?

5. Unit 2- the Constitution
Identify the weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation that led to the need for the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
“video lecture”- background notes
HW: complete “Report Card”

6. Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation- The first constitution (written government) of America

7. MAIN PROBLEM: The Articles of Confederation “sucked” because _______________________
Weaknesses (circle two biggest… Why?:

8. ONLY LASTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER THE ARTICLES- ORGANIZING THE WESTERN TERRITORIES:

9. Focus on Geography: Settling the Northwest Territory
Northwest Ordinance and Land Ordinance of 1785
Policy for creating new
states in territories
Bans slavery north of the
Ohio River
Focus on Geography: Settling the Northwest Territory

10. How new states are formed:
Congress appoints territorial governor and judges
When population reaches 5000 voters, settlers create a temporary constitution and elect own government
When population reaches free settlers, a state constitution is written, to be approved by Congress
Once approved, we got a new state!

12. Shays’ Rebellion 1787
farmers/ veterans rebel against Massachusetts gov’t over high taxes and farm foreclosures-

13. Reactions to Shays Rebellion:
"I am mortified beyond expression when I view the clouds that have spread over the brightest morn that ever dawned in any country... What a triumph for the advocates of despotism, to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious." - - George Washington
What is George Washington’s concern after Shays Rebellion?
"A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure. Our Constitutional Conventino has (made too much of Shays’ rebellion); and in the spur of the moment (I worry they will over-react) ”
-- Thomas Jefferson
What is Jefferson’s concern after Shays’ Rebellion?

14. Shays’ Rebellion 1787
farmers/ veterans rebel against Massachusetts gov’t over high taxes and farm foreclosures-
Significance: convinces many of the need for a stronger national government to keep order

15. 1787- The Constitutional Convention

16. "Convention of the well-bred, the well-fed, the well-read, and the well-wed."
Who’s there?
Given this historians description, come up with your own adjectives to describe the delegates to the Constitutional Convention
Who’s not there?

17. "Convention of the well-bred, the well-fed, the well-read, and the well-wed."
All states except Rhode Island send delegates to Philadelphia in May 1787 to amend the Articles of Confederation- becomes the Constitutional Convention
55 white men
Mostly wealthy lawyers, merchants and planters
“the well bred, the well fed, the well read, and the well wed”
More than half attended college
23 had studied law; Average age 42
Youngest was 26 – Jonathan Dayton
Oldest was Franklin, 81

18. James Madison- “Father of the Constitution”
BRILLIANT
PREPARED
Arrives with “Virginia Plan”
Day One: calls for a new Constitution to be written
James Madison, Jefferson's secretary of state.. IRC unitedstreaming. 27 July 2007 <

19. George Washington- “President of the Convention”
“out of retirement” for his country
Gives legitimacy to the Convention
Most think he will be 1st president- trust him
George Washington at Princeton, early IRC unitedstreaming. 27 July 2007 <

20. Ben Franklin- The Gracious Host
Big name- adds credibility
Held private meetings at home behind the scenes
Second most famous American in the world
Had been involved in almost every major moment of American history in 1700s
Had several dinners and luncheons at his renovated Philadelphia home
Image courtesy of American Philosphical Society

21. Alexander Hamilton Supported VERY strong Federal government.
Wrote Federalist Papers with Madison to help get Constitution ratified
Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury.. IRC unitedstreaming. 27 July 2007 <
Bank of the United States at Philadelphia, IRC unitedstreaming. 27 July 2007 <

22. Homework:
HOMEWORK: Take the quiz to find out who you will be at our Constitutional Convention
log on to . Take the quiz to find out which founding father you will be at our Constitutional Convention.
YOUR delegate’s name:______________________________________________
What state is he from?______________________________________________
Age:____________________________________________________
Click “to learn more about his contribution”. Write down three relevant facts about your delegate: 1- 2- 3-

23. Identify weaknesses of the A of C that led to Const. Convention