1. The Road to the Constitution
Chapter 3 Sec. 1

2. Section 1 Vocabulary
Constitutional Convention

3. Fixing the Articles
Each state except Rhode Island sent delegates to Philadelphia to fix the flaws in the Articles of Confederation
Most of the 55 men were well educated and experienced in politics
Native Americans, African Americans, and women were not included

4. Fixing the Articles Benjamin Franklin was the oldest to attend
He was a writer, diplomat, inventor, and scientist
George Washington and James Madison also attended
Both would later become presidents
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams could not attend
They were visiting Europe as diplomats

5. Early Decisions The delegates chose George Washington to preside
He would choose a committee to set rules for conducting the convention
The committee decided that decisions would be made by a majority vote.
All discussions were to be kept secret
No formal records were kept
Most of what we know comes from James Madison’s personal notebook of events
The delegates decided to do away with the Articles of Confederation all together and write a new constitution
This meeting became known as the Constitutional Convention

6. Constitutional Convention