1. Creating a New Nation
US History

2. A New Nation Fight for freedom (1775 – 1781) Declaration signed (1776)
Treaty signed (1783)

3. First Government Articles of Confederation
Political structure/weaknesses
Economic structure/weaknesses
Cultural issues

4. State Claims to Western Land

5. Western Land Cessions

6. Northwest Ordinance of 1787

7. Northwest Ordinance

9. British Forts In US Territory

10. Shay’s Rebellion,

11. A Conspiracy or Brilliant Solution?
Constitution
A Conspiracy or Brilliant Solution?

12. Constitutional Convention
May 25, 1787
Independence Hall, Philadelphia
55 representatives from all of the states except for Rhode Island
Agenda: the government; the future of the country
George Washington was elected as the leader

13. Making a Constitution: The Philadelphia Convention
Gentlemen in Philadelphia
Mostly wealthy planters & merchants
Most were college graduates with some political experience
Many were coastal residents from the larger cities, not the rural areas

14. Key Players James Madison Author of the VA Plan
Father of the Constitution

15. ALEXANDER HAMILTON pro-business strong central government
diversified economy
Writer of the Federalist Papers (with James Madison & John Jay)

16. Debate & Compromise at the Constitutional Convention

17. Issue 1: Representation
VA Plan
NJ Plan
By Madison
3 Branch Govt
Bicameral Legislature
Rep based on population in both houses
1 executive
By Patterson
3 Branch Govt
Unicameral legislature
Rep based on equality
Multiple executives

18. Issue 1 Resolved Connecticut (aka Great Compromise) 3 branch govt
Bicameral legislature
1 House based on population (House of Reps)
1 House based on equality (Senate); state legislatures choose Senators
1 Executive

19. Issue 2: Slave Representation
South
North
Yes, count slaves as people!
No, slaves do not have any rights, so Southerners shouldn’t get to count them!

20. Issue 2 Resolved
Three-Fifths Compromise: slaves will count as 3/5 of a person when counting the population, but the slave owners will pay taxes on all of their slaves

21. Issue 3: Political Equality
Who should be granted suffrage?

22. Issue 3 Resolved Dodge the issue… Let the states decide
White, landowning, men
Framers feared common man

23. Issue 4: Who should elect the President?
the People
Congress

24. Issue 4 Resolved
Decided on Electors – the Electoral College System

25. The Agenda in Philadelphia

26. Ratification Took three years
In the Constitution, 9 of 13 states had to sign

27. Federalists vs Anti-Federalists?

28. Ratifying the Constitution
Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles written in NY newspapers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution.
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns about the lack of basic liberties. (inspired by George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights)

29. Ratification