1. The Birth of a Constitution
The Constitution Unit 2
Lesson 1

2. Fixing the Articles of Confederation
By 1787, it was clear that the Articles were failing and the country needed changes, each state was asked to send delegates to a convention to propose changes
Convention began on May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall
55 delegates were well educated leaders with considerable experience in a variety of fields; who wasn’t represented?
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate, George Washington selected to lead convention
Independence Hall

3. Washington's Leadership
Washington set the tone about what failure would mean
Decisions were to be made by a majority of the states, with each state having one vote
All conversations were to be kept secret, good/bad?
The delegates quickly agreed to discard the Articles and write a new constitution, why?
Meeting became known as the “Constitutional Convention”
Secret Meetings

4. Two Opposing Plans
Virginia Plan: proposed by James Madison, called for 3 branches; legislative (2 houses), executive, judicial; states would be represented by population
Larges states supported this plan, why?
New Jersey Plan: proposed by William Paterson, called for three branches but only a one house legislature; each state got one vote
Smaller states supported this plan, why?
Virginia vs. New Jersey

5. Compromises
Roger Sherman of Connecticut helped create a compromise between the two plans; the “Great Compromise” one house of the legislature based on population, the other would have equal representation; which house is which?
Southern states wanted to count slaves as part of their population, why?
3/5 compromise: every five slave would count as three people for representation and tax figures
South agreed that Congress could regulate trade, but they couldn’t tax exports or stop importation of slaves until 1808
Electoral college, people vs. Congress
Roger Sherman

6. Approving the Constitution
On Sept. 17, 1787 the delegates signed the Constitution written by James Madison
In order to win ratification 9 of the 13 states would have to accept it
Supporters were called Federalists
Federalism: form of govt. in which the powers of govt. are divided between the national govt. and the states
Those who opposed the Constitution were called Anti-Federalists

7. A Divided Public
Federalist pointed out all the flaws in the Articles of Confederation
In a series of essays known as The Federalist, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay defended the Constitution
Anti-Federalists felt that the national government was given too much power and objected to the absences of a bill of rights
Federalists agreed that if the Constitution was adopted the new government would add a bill of rights
June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay