2. The Constitutional Convention Creating the Constitution

3. Constitutional Convention  All states except Rhode Island were represented  Chose George Washington to preside over meetings  Decided to start completely from scratch  Majority rule  Agreed to strengthen national government and divide the power between executive, legislative, and judicial branches

4. Prominent Figures  George Washington – everyone trusted  Benjamin Franklin – scientist and diplomat  James Madison – Father of the Constitution

5. How to govern? Virginia Plan (Favors large states) New Jersey Plan (Favors small states) 2 legislatures (bicameral) Lower chamber chosen by people and upper chosen by lower One legislature (unicameral) with one vote per a state Could stop state laws if unconstitutional Congress controlled taxes and trade Strong executive chosen by Congress Weak group of executives National judiciary appointed by legislature Judiciary with limited power appointed by executive

6. Connecticut Compromise  Connecticut Compromise: –Bicameral (2) Legislature  House of Representatives – based on population –Revenue laws (spending and taxes) start here  Senate –2 members from each state –State legislatures would elect senators  Larger states had more advantage in House and smaller states were protected in Senate

7. More Compromises  Three-Fifths Compromise –1/3 of population in southern states were slaves –wanted slaves to count towards representation but not towards taxation –Northern states wanted the opposite –Compromise: 3/5 ’ s of slaves counted for both  Commerce and Slave Trade –North wanted government to have complete control –South feared interference with slave trade and agriculture –Compromise: Congress could not ban slavery until 1808, had control over interstate and foreign trade, no export taxes

8. Federalists and Anti-Federalists  Federalists – favored the Constitution; made up of merchants and city people –Said without strong government there would be political disorder –Would protect from enemies abroad  Anti-Federalists – opposed the Constitution; made up of laborers who feared strong government –Document was not legal –Needed a Bill of Rights

9. Ratification  Federalists promised a Bill of Rights in order to gain support  Small states were happy with the equal representation  Founders went from state to state persuading the people to ratify the constitution  Federalist Papers – reasons to ratify, spread around to influence votes

10. New Government  New York was made the temporary capital  Washington was elected President and John Adams was Vice President  1 st order of business was a Bill of Rights –12 were written by Congress and 10 were ratified by the states

11. BCR Weaknesses of AoC  Shortly after the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, a plan for government known as the Articles of Confederation, was developed.  Discuss the weaknesses of the gov’t established by the Articles of Confederation.  In what ways did the new US Constitution fix these weaknesses?  Include details and examples to support your response.

12. Outline  Write an introductory sentence. (Rewrite part of the question, so the reader knows what your BCR is about.)  List a weakness of the Articles of Confederation –Explain how this weakness could be a problem. –How did the Constitution fix this weakness? Did we need the change?  List a weakness of the Articles of Confederation –Explain how this weakness could be a problem. –How did the Constitution fix this weakness? Did we need the change?  Write conclusion sentence.