1. A New Plan of Government Changing the Articles of Confederation Pages 338-341

2. A Time for Change After the Revolution most Americans feared a government that was too strong. After the Revolution most Americans feared a government that was too strong. Now the people had a government that was too weak. Now the people had a government that was too weak. The British called the Americans the Disunited States of America. The British called the Americans the Disunited States of America.

3. A Rope of Sand Many Americans continued to argue that a strong national government with one leader was not a good idea. Many Americans continued to argue that a strong national government with one leader was not a good idea. Patrick Henry when speaking about the Articles of Confederation argued that a rope of sand was better than a rod of iron. Patrick Henry when speaking about the Articles of Confederation argued that a rope of sand was better than a rod of iron.

4. The Great Debate Leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison questioned the need to change the Articles of Confederation. Leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison questioned the need to change the Articles of Confederation. These men felt that a stronger national government was the key to America’s success as a nation. These men felt that a stronger national government was the key to America’s success as a nation.

5. Disagreements Between the States Maryland and Virginia argued about who had control of the Potomac River. Maryland and Virginia argued about who had control of the Potomac River. New York and New Hampshire argued over who owned the land that is now Vermont. New York and New Hampshire argued over who owned the land that is now Vermont. All 13 states argued about money. All 13 states argued about money.

6. Agreeing to Work Together In Sept. 1786 a convention was called to give the states a chance to talk about their problems. In Sept. 1786 a convention was called to give the states a chance to talk about their problems. Only five states attended the meeting which included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. Only five states attended the meeting which included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. They all agreed the Articles should be changed. They all agreed the Articles should be changed.

7. Results of the Convention Those attending the convention agreed a second meeting should be held. Those attending the convention agreed a second meeting should be held. Representatives from all 13 states were asked to attend the second convention so that changes could be made to the Articles of Confederation. Representatives from all 13 states were asked to attend the second convention so that changes could be made to the Articles of Confederation. The meeting was scheduled for May 1787. The meeting was scheduled for May 1787. Rhode Island was the only state that would not attend the meeting. Rhode Island was the only state that would not attend the meeting.

8. The Second Convention Delegates began arriving in Philadelphia in May 1787. Delegates began arriving in Philadelphia in May 1787. George Washington was the first to arrive. He was 55 years old and the most honored hero of the American Revolution. George Washington was the first to arrive. He was 55 years old and the most honored hero of the American Revolution. Washington was elected the president of the convention. Washington was elected the president of the convention.

9. The Second Convention Ben Franklin was 81 years old and was the governor of Pennsylvania. Ben Franklin was 81 years old and was the governor of Pennsylvania. He was unable to walk far so prisoners from the Philadelphia jail carried him to the meeting in a Chinese sedan chair. He was unable to walk far so prisoners from the Philadelphia jail carried him to the meeting in a Chinese sedan chair. In all 55 delegates from 12 states attended the second convention. In all 55 delegates from 12 states attended the second convention. Their desire was to do what was best for the United States. Their desire was to do what was best for the United States.

10. Chinese Sedan Chair