1. U.S. History Chapter 8: A More Perfect Union Lesson 2: Forging the New Constitution

2. Section 2-Polling Question
In your experience, what is typically the best approach to use when faced with a disagreement?
A. Hold your ground no matter what
B. Attempt to reach a compromise
C. Accept the decisions of the other side without argument A B C

3. Why is the Constitution a document of compromises?
Essential Question
Why is the Constitution a document of compromises?
Why is the Constitution a document of compromises?

4. Need For A Change
Many felt that the Articles of Confederation needed change
The Articles were too weak to deal with the nation’s problems
After the war the US had a depression (economic activity slows and unemployment increases)
The money the government did have went to paying foreign debts, resulting in currency shortage

5. American Farmers Suffered because they couldn’t sell their goods
In Massachusetts, paper money was almost useless
Lawmakers outlawed paper money in 1781 and forced people to pay debts and taxes in gold and silver money
This hurt farmers, they didn’t bring in gold or silver money
Farmers were unable to pay debts and lost their land
Many went to prison

6. The Farmers Take Action
1786- angry farmers fought back
Led by Daniel Shays, they forced courts in Massachusetts to close so they could not take farmers land
January Shays led more than 1000 men toward the federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts
Looking for guns and ammunition
The state militia ordered the advancing farmers to stop and then fired over their heads
The farmers did not stop

7. Shays’ Rebellion The militia fired again, killing 4 farmers
Shays his followers scattered and the uprising was over
Shays’ Rebellion frightened many Americans
They worried that the government could not control unrest and prevent violence
George Washington wondered whether “mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government”
Thomas Jefferson- “A little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing”

8. The Issue of Slavery
The Revolutionary War brought attention to the contradiction between the battle for American liberty and the practice of slavery
11 states (all except SC and Georgia) outlawed or heavily taxed the importation of enslaved people
In the North slavery was ending
Free African Americans still faced discrimination
States south of Pennsylvania clung to the institution of slavery
Southerners feared that their economy could not survive without it

9. More of The Issue of Slavery
Many slaveholders started freeing slaves after the war
Virginia passed a law that encouraged manumission (freeing of individual enslaved persons)
The slavery issue divided the American people

10. Reform of the Articles of Confederation
Two Americans that were active in the movement for a change were James Madison and Alexander Hamilton
September Hamilton called for a convention (meeting) in Philadelphia to discuss trade issues
Also discuss changes that need to be made for the Union
Washington agreed to come after hearing of Shays’ Rebellion
Others heard Washington was coming and saw the significance

11. The Philadelphia Meeting
Began in May 1787
One of the hottest summers on record
55 delegates
3 under 30 and one (Ben Franklin) was over 80
Many were well educated

12. More of the Philadelphia Meeting
Many people did work on the Constitution
Governor Morris wrote the final draft of the Constitution
James Madison took notes and is called the “Father of the Constitution”
Madison was the author of the basic plan of government the Convention adopted

13. Organization Washington was chosen to preside over the meetings
Each state would have one vote on all questions
Sessions were not open to the public

14. Section 2
Who presided over the meetings at the Constitutional Convention?
A. John Hancock
B. James Madison
C. George Washington
D. Benjamin Franklin A B C D

15. The Virginia Plan
Edmund Randolph proposed the creation of a strong national government
Randolph presented the Virginia Plan, which was largely the work of James Madison
Called for a 2 house (bicameral) legislature
A chief executive chosen by the legislature
And a court system
The members of the lower house of the legislature would be chosen by the people
Members of the upper house would be chosen by the lower house

16. More of the Virginia Pan
In both houses the number of representatives would be proportional to the population of each state
Virginia would have many more delegates the smaller states
Delegates from Delaware, New Jersey, and other smaller states objected
They wanted all states represented equally
June 15th, William Paterson of New Jersey presented an alternative plan

18. The New Jersey Plan 1 house legislature, one vote for each state
Congress could set taxes and regulate trade
Congress would elect a weak executive branch consisting of more than one person
His plan was designed to amend (improve) the Articles

21. The Great Compromise
A committee was appointed to settle the dispute between large and small states
Roger Sherman came up with what is called the Great Compromise
Sherman proposed a 2 house (bicameral) legislature
Lower House (House of Representatives) would be based on population
Upper House (Senate) would give each state two members

22. Section 2
According to the Great Compromise, in which house would each state be represented by two members?
A. The House of Representatives
B. The Senate A B

23. The Three-Fifths Compromise
Southern states wanted enslaved people counted in their population
They wanted more members in the House of Representatives
Northerners objected because enslaved people were legally considered property
The committees solution is known as the Three-Fifths Compromise
Each enslaved person was counted as 3/5 of a free person for both taxation and representation

25. Slave Trade Northern states wanted to ban the slave trade nation wide
Southern states objected
The solution was that Congress could not interfere with the slave trade until 1808

26. Bill of Rights George Mason proposed a Bill of Rights
Some worried without a Bill of Rights the new nation might abuse its power
Most felt that the Constitution provided adequate protection of individual rights
Mason’s proposal was defeated

27. Approving the Constitution
Finished on September 17, 1787 delegates gathered to sign the document
Three refused to sign- Elbridge Gerry (Mass.), Edmund Randolph (VA.), and George Mason (GA.)
Gerry and Mason would not sign without a Bill of Rights
The approved draft of the Constitution was sent to the states for consideration
The approval process required 9 of the 13 states to be approved

28. Why is the Constitution a document of compromises?
Essential Question
Why is the Constitution a document of compromises?
Delegates had to compromise on issues such as power distribution, representation, and slavery
Why is the Constitution a document of compromises?

29. Chapter 8 Section 2

30. 8.2.1 Shays's Rebellion forced courts to close so judges could not take away
tax money.
farmers' land.
smuggled goods.
criminals' homes.

31. 8.2.2 The Revolutionary War brought into focus the contradiction between the American battle for liberty and the
need to raise money.
right to rebellion.
practice of slavery.
right for women to vote.

32. 8.2.3 Constitutional Convention delegates voted for a national government based on the
New Jersey Plan.
Virginia Plan.
New York Plan.
Northwest Territory Plan.

33. 8.2.4 Convention delegates broke the deadlock between large and small states when they approved
the Two-Thirds Compromise.
Washington's Compromise.
the Three-Fifths Compromise.
the Great Compromise.

34. 8.2.5 Convention delegates agreed that the Constitution must be approved by how many states?
all states
12 states
9 states

35. 8.2.1 Shays's Rebellion forced courts to close so judges could not take away
tax money.
farmers' land.
smuggled goods.
criminals' homes.

36. 8.2.2 The Revolutionary War brought into focus the contradiction between the American battle for liberty and the
need to raise money.
right to rebellion.
practice of slavery.
right for women to vote.

37. 8.2.3 Constitutional Convention delegates voted for a national government based on the
New Jersey Plan.
Virginia Plan.
New York Plan.
Northwest Territory Plan.

38. 8.2.4 Convention delegates broke the deadlock between large and small states when they approved
the Two-Thirds Compromise.
Washington's Compromise.
the Three-Fifths Compromise.
the Great Compromise.

39. 8.2.5 Convention delegates agreed that the Constitution must be approved by how many states?
all states
12 states
9 states