1. BR: D20
What issues was the U.S. having, as discussed before? Were the Articles of Confederation a success? Why / why not? They had issues with debt, as well as lack of consensus. Since the Articles required a 100% consensus, just one state could derail any national government plan, agreement, etc. Other countries were fed up with America and its dysfunctional government, and the U.S. knew it. Something had to be done.

2. U.S. History Ch. 7.2 Convention & Compromise, Part I
The U.S. created a new Constitution to resolve the weaknesses of government under the old Articles.

3. Time for a Change!
Everyone knew that the Articles of Confederation were an epic failure. George Washington himself stated: “[The United States are] thirteen Sovereignties pulling against each other” Summer, 1787: Washington and 11 other states’ delegates (minus Rhode Island, again) met to discuss what might be done to revise the Articles. The U.S. was in a tight jam. The country was going through a depression, a period of slower economic activity. The British refusal to allow American merchants in the Caribbean was making it hard to trade, and many southern plantations had been damaged in the War. Life was hard for the average person.

4. Farmer’s and Hard Times
Times were especially tough for American farmers. They could not sell their goods, yet the state’s still sent tax collectors to collect money to pay for debts from the Revolutionary War. When they couldn’t pay, often their farms and homes were seized, and many such farmers ended up in jail. Farmers in Massachusetts were hit especially hard, and they saw this as just another form of tyranny. When their requests for leniency and help for farmers were ignored, they lashed out. In 1786, Daniel Shays, a former Captain in the War, led some fellow farmers in forcing several courts in Western Mass. to close, in order to stop them from taking the farmers property and throwing them in jail. LongVid sVID

5. Shays’ Rebellion Effects
Fearful of others being imprisoned, he and roughly other farmers got together and marched towards the Springfield Armory, the site of a federal arsenal, to take the weapons and ammunition that was held there. After being repelled, they dispersed. VID
The fact that so many were willing to do this scared many Americans. Washington wondered: “Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.” Thomas Jefferson meanwhile argued that “A little rebellion, now and then…is a good thing.”

6. Class Discussion (10 min)
Turn, and working with your table, discuss this question, comparing the issues then with those today. Who was right? Washington (“Men are unfit to govern themselves”) or Jefferson (“A little rebellion now and then…is a good thing”)? Give at least 3 solid reasons why. Write these answers down! Spend 2 minutes thinking, 3 discussing as a table.
Recently, we’ve had some people who have been rioting and challenging the actions of our government, specifically Pres. Trump, like his Executive Order to ban all immigrants from 9 predominantly Muslim countries, to build a wall, etc.
Questions to Consider:
Should civil liberties be observed in times of (national) crisis?
If the security of the nation is under threat should dissent be stifled?
Should certain groups be denied their rights if they are associated with the threat in some way?
Is secrecy compatible with civil liberties (or even democracy)?
5 Min. Class Discussion: What do you think (each table)? Responses?

7. The Continued Issue of Slavery
Many had begun to question the justice in fighting for liberty, while continuing to enslave blacks. Between , all states but Georgia and South Carolina outlawed or imposed heavy taxation on the importation of slaves.
However, it did exist and continued in the North as well, though it wasn’t as important to the local economy. By the early 1800s however, many northern states, such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey had abolished it.
Yet blacks still faced discrimination, even there. They weren’t allowed in many public places, and most blacks had to attend separate schools. In response to this, many blacks went ahead and formed their own little societies, such as churches, businesses, schools, etc.

8. Slavery, Cont.
South of Pennsylvania, the southern states clung to slavery. The Plantation System depended on it, and many feared the economy would collapse without slavery.
Yet, more and more people were freeing their slaves in the South as well. In Virginia, they passed laws encouraging manumission, or the freeing of individual slaves.
This issue was dividing the nation on whether it was ethical and just to talk of freedom, yet keep a select group of people in chains. As delegates would meet in the summer of 1787 to discuss reforming the national government, the issues of slavery were a hot topic, and would lead to further conflict and bloodshed. VID

9. HW:
You will need to complete your Option A: Political Cartoon, or your Option B: Editorial Letter re: the Articles of Confederation (Due next class)
Here are some examples of Political Cartoons:
New Year: Des1, LINK1, LINK2, Link3
And here are some Editorial Letter: DeseretNews, SLTrib, Herald