1. Creating the Constitution

2. The Framers
Delegates from 12 of the 13 States (Rhode Island did not send delegates)
Independence Hall, Philadelphia
1787
Thomas Jefferson (who was not present) called it an “assembly of demi-gods”.
Ranged in age from 26 – 81
Decided that “a national Government ought to be established consisting of a supreme Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary”, Edmund Randolf

3. Abandoning the Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation established “a firm league of friendship” among the States
Each State maintained its sovereignty
Created a single congress (a legislature)
No executive or judicial branch
Congress could not tax or regulate trade
Congress could not force State compliance

4. Constitutional Compromises
Connecticut Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
Trade Compromise
Commerce and Slave

5. Connecticut Compromise
Congress should be composed of two houses: BICAMERAL CONGRESS
Senate: States are equally represented
House of Representatives: representation of each State is based on its population
Also known as the “Great Compromise” because it was so important to the writing of the Constitution

6. Three-Fifths Compromise
Should slaves be counted in the figuring of populations in the States?
Southern States wanted slaves counted
Northern States did not
Slavery was legal in every State except Massachusetts
Compromise → all “free persons” should be counted and “three-fifths of all other persons”
This compromise disappeared from the Constitution when the 13th Amendment passed (abolishing slavery)

7. Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Southern States biggest exporters (tobacco)
Congress was forbidden the power to tax the export of any State and the ability to act on the slave trade for 20 years

8. A General Consensus
A new national (federal) government had to be created
Concepts of popular sovereignty and limited government
Separation of powers and checks and balances
September 17, 1787 the US Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates
It was FOUR pages long
Ecuador 215 pages
France 44 pages
Canada 7 pages

9. Quick Check
Raise your hand if you can summarize the three major compromises and the outcomes of those compromises.

10. Homework
Do you agree with the Framers’ decision to abandon the Articles of Confederation and create an entirely NEW constitution? Why or why not? Give three specific pieces of evidence in your answer.
Due tomorrow.