1. The Birth of the Constitution

2. The Articles of Confederation
The first plan of government for the United States
Established during the Revolutionary War
Incredibly weak in creating a stable government
Replaced by the United States Constitution

3. The Articles of Confederation Needed Unanimous Approval
The Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution
The Articles of Confederation
The Constitution
Federalism
“A Firm League
of Friendship”
Representation of States
Equal
Taxation
States Only
Powers of Congress
Foreign Relations
Army & Navy
Declare War
Ambassadors
Treaties
Amendments
Needed Unanimous Approval

4. Problems With the Articles of Confederation
Shays’ Rebellion
After the Revolutionary War, the state of Massachusetts would not issue more currency, foreclosed on farmers who couldn’t pay debts, & ruled from Boston
Farmers, led by Daniel Shays, planned to overthrow the government; Massachusetts appealed for help from national government, which did not have resources
Rebellion failed but proved need for new, stronger, national gov’t
Economic Conditions
Congress could not regulate trade between the states, had no uniform system of currency, and did not have the power to tax
The results led to conflicts between the states that could not be solved and the inability to raise revenue for much needed services

5. The Constitutional Convention
Met in Philadelphia in the Summer of 1787
The stated purpose was to “amend the Articles”
In reality, a series of compromises would completely reform the government of the United States

6. Statistics From the 1790 Census Percentage of Population
The Problems with Creating the Constitution
Statistics From the 1790 Census
State Population
Percentage of Total
Regional Population
Number of Slaves
Percentage of Population
New Hampshire
141,885 4%
158 0%
Massachusetts
378,787
10%
Connecticut
237,946 7%
2,759 1%
Rhode Island
68,825 2%
152
NEW ENGLAND
23%
827,443
New Jersey
184,139 5%
11,423 6%
New York
340,120 9%
21,324
Pennsylvania
434,373
12%
3,737
MIDDLE STATES
958,632
NORTH OF MASON/DIXON
49%
1,786,075
39,853
Delaware
59,096
8,887
15%
Maryland
319,728
103,036
32%
Virginia
747,610
20%
293,427
39%
North Carolina
393,751
11%
100,572
26%
South Carolina
249,073
107,094
43%
Georgia
82,548
29,264
35%
THE SOUTH
51%
1,851,806
642,280
94%
TOTAL POPULATION
3,637,881
SLAVE POPULATION
681,833

7. The Compromises to Create the Constitution
THE VIRGINIA PLAN
THE NEW JERSEY PLAN
Major influence was James Madison
Major influence was William Paterson
Represented interests of larger states
Represented interests of smaller states
Would have created a bicameral legislative branch
Would have created a unicameral legislative branch
All representation would be based on a state’s population
All representation would be equal – one vote per state

8. The Compromises to Create the Constitution
THE VIRGINIA PLAN
THE NEW JERSEY PLAN
THE “GREAT COMPROMISE”
A Bicameral Legislature
The House of Representatives
The Senate
The Lower House
Representation based on a state’s population
Directly elected by voters
Starts all revenue bills
The Upper House
Representation is equal – two votes per state
Appointed by state legislatures initially – indirect representation

9. 3 5 The Compromises to Create the Constitution
THE THREE-FIFTHS COMPROMISE
Interests of Southern States
Interests of Northern States
For the purpose of representation in Congress, slaves would count as 3/5 of a person (for taxation also) 3
Congress would agree that it would not regulate the international slave trade for at least 20 years. 5

10. The Compromises to Create the Constitution
The Electoral College was the system designed to choose the President of the United States.
Each state would send electors to cast votes for the President.
Number of Senators + Number of Representatives = A State’s Number of Electoral Votes
System showed a lack of trust in allowing the people to choose the Executive Branch

11. Amending the Constitution2
It would be a process that would be difficult to add amendments.
Since Constitution’s creation, there have only been 27 amendments to the Constitution.
2/3 of both houses of Congress + 3/4 approval of the states =
A new Constitutional amendment
Process takes into account interests of the states and the national government. 3 3 4

12. The Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution
Federalism
“A Firm League
of Friendship”
“A More Perfect Union”
Nation & States Share Power
Representation of States
Equal
Proportional (House)
Equal (Senate)
Taxation
States Only
State & Federal Level
Powers of Congress
Foreign Relations
Army & Navy
Declare War
Ambassadors
Treaties
In Addition to Articles:
Interstate Commerce
Currency
Stop Rebellions
Amendments
Needed Unanimous Approval
2/3 Both Houses of Congress + 3/4 States

13. Ratifying the Constitution
Legally, 9 states had to ratify the Constitution; Realistically, all 13 needed to ratify the Constitution
Federalists – those who supported the ratification of the Constitution; Anti-Federalists – those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution

14. Ratification succeeded and new government formed in 1789
Ratifying the Constitution
FEDERALISTS
ANTIFEDERALISTS
Favored ratification of the Constitution
Favored a powerful national government
Would create a stronger economy & law and order
Used Federalist Papers to make arguments
Opposed ratification of the Constitution
Felt powerful national government would threaten states rights
Worried about unlimited terms
Wanted a Bill of Rights to protect liberties
Federalists promised an addition of a Bill of Rights to guarantee liberties to individuals and states
Ratification succeeded and new government formed in 1789
James Madison drafted the Bill of Rights – first ten amendments to Constitution

15. James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay The Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 essays that were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay
Argued for the ratification of the Constitution by discussing the reasons why the Constitution would work for the new nation
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay

16. The Bill of Rights

17. The Bill of Rights
10th Amendment – A source of constant conflict, even still today
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.