1. Convention & Compromise
American leaders fix the problems of the Articles of Confederation

2. Revising the Articles The Confederation was not working
In 1787, delegates from 12 states gathered in Philadelphia
The sole purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation

3. Economic Depression
The U.S. went through a depression when the war ended
Unemployment increased
Trade fell
Little $ to pay foreign debt
Farmers suffered because they could not sell their goods
Each state printed its own $ and often did not accept $ issued by other states

4. Shays’ Rebellion
Farmers who were unable to pay their debts had their land taken away and were imprisoned
Led by Daniel Shays, the farmers forced the courts in western Massachusetts to close to keep the state from taking their farms
The state militia ordered farmers to stop but they refused
The militia fired, 4 rebels died

5. The Issue of Slavery
The plantation system in the south was built on slavery.
The southern economy could not survive without it.
Although slavery was not a major source of labor in the North, free African Americans faced discrimination and were barred from public places.

6. Free Blacks Attended separate schools
Established their own churches and schools
Virginia issued a law called manumission that encouraged the freeing of individual enslaved persons
The abolition of slavery in the North divided the new country

7. A Call for Change
Although the American Revolution created a union of 13 states, it did not create a strong national government
Leaders demanded a reform of the Articles of Confederation
In September of 1786, the leaders met in Philadelphia to discuss trade issues and possible changes to the Articles to make it work

8. The Effects of Shays’ Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion frightened many national leaders
They worried that the government could not control unrest and prevent violence
Although George Washington was not enthusiastic about the movement to revise the Articles of Confederation, he quickly changed his mind after he heard the news of Shays’ Rebellion

9. The Constitutional Convention
Many delegates who attended the Convention in Philadelphia were well educated
Native Americans, African Americans, and women were not considered a part of the political process during this time
James Madison was known as the “Father of the Constitution”
He was the author of the basic plan of government

10. The Virginia Plan
Instead of revising the Articles, Edmund Randolf proposed that the delegates create a strong national government
He introduced the Virginia Plan which was based largely on the work of James Madison

11. What was the Virginia Plan?
The plan called for a two-house legislature
1) Chief Executive – chosen by the legislature
2) Court System – Judicial Branch
Members of the lower house legislature are elected by the people
Members of the upper house legislature are chosen by the lower house
In both houses, the number of representatives would be proportionate to the population of each state

12. The New Jersey Plan
Had a one house legislature and one vote for each state
Congress could set taxes and regulate trade
Congress would elect a weak executive branch made up more than one person

13. Compromise Wins Out
The States voted for a government based on the Virginia Plan
Roger Sherman proposed what came to be known as the Great Compromise.
A compromise is an agreement between 2 or more sides in which each side gives up some of what it wants.

14. What was the Great Compromise?
2 senators for each state
Number of seats in the House of Representatives by state population
An enslaved person was counted as three-fifths of a person
A majority vote in the House and Senate is needed to pass a law
Balanced powers between executive, judicial, and legislative branches

15. Objections Are Raised
Since slaves were considered to be property, they should be counted for taxation and not representation
The Three-Fifths Compromise counted an enslaved person as three-fifths of one free person for both taxation and representation

16. Slave Trade
Since the slave trade was essential to Southern states, Northerners agreed that Congress could not interfere with the slave trade until 1808.

17. Approval of the Constitution
Some delegates did not want to sign the Constitution
They worried that without the protection of the bill of rights, the new national government might abuse its powers
Only 9 out of 13 states had to approve the Constitution