1. The Constitutional Convention & Bill of Rights

2. Why Revise the Articles of Confederation?
U.S. depression:
Shay’ Rebellion:
Annapolis Convention:
US experienced a depression after the war
Reduced foreign trade
Limited credit available b/c colonists had not yet paid off war debts
No national taxes could be levied and the currency printed was worthless
States competed with one another for economic advantage and did not act united
Farmers had no money to pay off debts.
Shay’ Rebellion
Farmers rebelled in Massachusetts when the state went to collect taxes.
Highlighted the inadequacies of the U.S. government under the A of Confederation
Pointed out the need for drastic change to the government
Annapolis Convention
Five states sent delegates to Annapolis to discuss the weaknesses and ways to fix them.
Madison and Hamilton persuaded the other delegates that another convention was needed and should be held in Philadelphia in order to revise the Articles.

3. Key conflicts of the Constitutional Convention
1. Representation
in Congress
2. Slavery
3. Federal v. State
Power 1. 2. 3.
How many representatives should each state have?
Should it be based on population?
How would small states be guaranteed not to be controlled by the larger states?
Should slaves be counted as part of the population?
How should the Constitution balance the amount of power a state government has versus the power the federal government has?

4. Compromise 1: Representation in Congress
2 Options
Virginia Plan (Madison)
Bicameral (2 houses)
Representation based on population
New Jersey Plan (Patterson)
Single House
1 vote per state
Great Compromise
Bicameral (2 houses)
Senate: Giving each state 2 senators with the vote in the Senate to be by individuals and not states
House of Reps: Apportioning representation according to population

5. Compromise 2: How to Count Slaves
Problem:
Problem:
Much of the southern population was considered property, not person.
South wanted to count slaves for the purpose of representation
Solution: 3/5th Compromise
Each slave counts as 3/5ths of a person

6. Compromise 3: Federal v. State Power
Federalism: power is divided between federal and state
Delegated or Enumerated Powers
Powers that are mentioned in the Constitution belong to the federal government
e.g.: Foreign affairs, Regulation of trade, Currency
Reserved Powers
Powers not mentioned in the Constitution are for the states.
e.g.: Education, Drinking age, speed limit
Shared Powers
Taxes, Courts

7. Visual Representation of US Government

8. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Federalist Papers:
Supporters:
Anti-Federalists
Supporters:
Federalists:
Favor ratification of the Constitution – with the possibility of a bill of rights discussed after ratification
People’s rights are guaranteed in Constitution. Constitution will bring strength and unity to the states
Want a strong National Government
Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison wrote the “Federalists Papers” that appeared as a series in the local newspapers. Published anonymously. Purpose was to gain support for the Constitution.
Supporters: Washington, Hamilton (Head of the Federalist Party), Madison, Jay & supported by many large landowners, judges, lawyers, leading clergymen and merchants
Anti-Federalists:
Oppose Constitution
Want strong state powers
Believed that a strong Federal government leads to tyranny
Feared for individual rights
Demanded a Bill of Rights!
Supporters: Thomas Jefferson and many small farmers and small landowners

9. The Constitution is Adopted
Ratification: June 21, 1788
Lacked support from:
Virginia Ratified:
Bill of Rights:
New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify the Constitution – June 21, 1788
Lacked support from large states: New York and Virginia
Virginia ratified in June 1788 after a Bill of Rights was to be added.
Bill of Rights:
Added in 1791 after the new government took power as a compromise with the Anti-Federalists
Were the first 10 amendments (additions) to the Constitution
Established to protect individual rights

10. Why do the Federalists “win”?
Articles too Weak:
United:
Organization:
Key Support:
Articles of Confederation had too many weaknesses
Economic problems
Shay’s Rebellion
United with a plan = Constitution
Well organized, national group
Support of George Washington

11. Constitution is considered a “Living Document”
“Elastic clause”
Amendments
Elastic clause
Article I, Section 8
Gave Congress the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper to use the powers set forth in the Constitution
Amendments
Allows the government to make changes and/or additions to the Constitution (2/3 of the states have to ratify it).

12. The End