1. Adopting The Constitution

2. Starter – October 2nd  Describe the events of Shays’ Rebellion. How did it lead to the adoption of the Constitution?

3. Starter – October 3rd  What were the three major issues at the Constitutional Convention. How were these issues resolved?

5. America’s First Government  With the Treaty of Paris - 1783, the Colonist’s had secured their independence from Britain.  Now they faced the daunting task of organizing a new government.  The Articles of Confederation served as the new nation’s constitution from 1777-1790.  After the end of war, Americans began to noticed how unsettling the new government structure actually was.

6. America’s Under the Articles of Confederation  Congress was the only federal institution.  Each state got only one representative.  9 out 13 vote was required to pass laws.  Votes had to unanimous to changes the Articles.  Congress could not collect taxes.  States issued their own money and each regulated international trade.  Lacked a standing army.

7. Constitutional Convention  By 1787, most Americans agreed the Articles were flawed.  However, with competing interests, not every state ready was to willing cede most of their power and autonomy to a strong central government.

8. Concerns To Be Addressed At The Constitutional Convention  The power of the federal government. Would the states or the federal government have the most power?  Representation in Congress (How many members on Congress would each state get? – small states wanted equal representation, large states wanted it to be determined by population of the states  Slavery – How would slaves be counted? Would the slave trade continue?

10. The Federalist Papers  Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John way under pen name Publius (Latin word for public).  A series of letters published in newspapers  Written for three reasons:  To influence the vote in favor of ratification  To explain the Constitution for future interpretation  Outlined how the Constitution should be set up

12. The Virginia Plan  Called for a new national government. Threw out the Articles of Confederation  Three separate branches of government. – a legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch  Representation in the legislative branch based on population of state  Large states like the plan, small states don’t.

13. The New Jersey Plan  Legislature - has one house.  Each state gets one vote.  Small states like the plan, the large states hate it.  There would have to be a compromise.

14. The Great Compromise  Legislature would have two houses (parts): House of Representatives and a Senate  House - based on the population of state  Senate - two senators per each state

15. Slavery  The Southern states refused to approve the Constitution unless slavery continued.  It was a terrible compromise to make, but the Northern states had no choice if they wanted a Constitution.  3/5 Compromise - Made each slave worth 3/5 of a vote in deciding numbers in House of Representatives  Congress can not ban the slave trade until 1808.

16. Compromise  Connecticut Compromise  3/5ths Compromise  Bill of Rights added to the Constitution to protect individual liberty and placate the Anti- Federalists.

17. Government Framework  Three Branches – Executive, Judicial and Legislative  Federalism - sharing of powers between the national and state governments (reserved powers)  Elastic Clause  Amendments  Checks and Balances

24. Assignments for Today  Name of each branch  What each branch consists of  What each branch does (interpret laws, make laws, enforce laws)  2 examples of each branch’s powers  Current leaders of each branch