1. Chapter 5 The Constitutional Convention Section 1

2. New Political Ideas Established a republic – form of government where the power resides with the people(voting rights) Many states attached a bill of rights to their constitutions (ex: Virginia had Declaration of Rights) Voting rights expanded in several areas – still no women Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom declares no official church for that state

3. Revolution Changes Society Greater liberty applied only to white males Slavery was in tact -Virginia was the only Southern state that took steps to end slavery (Manumission – voluntary freeing of enslaved persons) Loyalists throughout the war faced difficult times – were shunned & property taken Feelings of nationalism spread

4. Articles of Confederation Would create a weak central gov’t, strong state gov’t 1 house legislature (Confederation Congress), each state 1 vote Given powers that the states could not fulfill (declaring war, creating a postal service, etc) Could only change with an unanimous vote by states Avoided big government, but allowed states to work together Took 4 years for ratification - approval

6. Problems with Debt Borrowed $60 million during war – country in recession (economic slowdown) Lack of money led to massive printing! Paper money had to be backed up by gold/silver – But it is not Inflation set in  decline in the value of money Continental currency was not being accepted Congress wanted to start taxing imports to raise money

7. Shay’s Rebellion Daniel Shays (farmer in Mass.) If borrowed money could not be paid back (farm seized and sold, sent to debtors prison) Aug/Sept 1786 Shays & other farmers marched to courthouses; refused to let them imprison any more Marched on to state arsenal where they were met by a militia and soon scattered.

8. Sections 2 & 3: A New Constitution

9. Constitutional Convention Problems with the Articles needed to be addressed Washington, Madison, Hamilton & Franklin all attended convention All delegates were 40s, white, male, wealthy, educated, had drafted constitutions before Sworn to secrecy Decided to dump the Articles May to Sept. of 1787

10. Virginia and New Jersey Plans Virginia Plan – Devised by James Madison Proposed to get rid of the Articles and establish a three-branch national gov’t Also proposed to divide the legislature into two houses – each state would elect members of the first house. The 2nd house would be elected by the 1st house. Plan favored large states (# reps = Pop.) New Jersey Plan - create an one house legislature with equal representation

11. Connecticut Compromise Senate (each state has 2 reps.), House of Representatives (1 seat per 40,000 of population) Slaves counted as 3/5ths of a person - Congress could not abolish slavery 9 of 13 states needed to pass Signed by all but 3 on Sept. 17, 1787

12. Framework of the Constitution Based on popular sovereignty – rule by people Also created federalism – division of power between federal/state governments Separation of powers (Exec/Jud/Leg) Checks/Balances Amendments – changes to the Constitution

13. Federalists and Anti-Federalists Anti-federalists – opponents of the Constitution Believed it should include a Bill of Rights Thought constitution endangered the independence of the states Federalists – favored the proposed constitution

14. Ratification State ratifying took place in 1787 & 1788 – Five states quickly ratified it Mass., Virginia, N.Y. held out until a Bill of Rights was promised By July 1788 all states but Rhode Island and North Carolina had ratified the Constitution 1790 all states ratified Constitution