1. From Confederation to Constitution The ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation prompts Congress to call the Constitutional Convention

2. Weaknesses of the Articles demonstrated in Shays’ Rebellion 1786: MA farmers demand reforms to relieve debt—taxes raised 1787: Daniel Shays leads armed protest State calls in militia; several protestors killed Madison and Hamilton call for constitutional convention. Summer 1787: 55 delegates from 12 states convene at PA State House Rhode Island boycotted Jefferson and Adams absent; correspond through letters Patrick Henry absent: “smelled a rat…tending towards monarchy” Washington elected chairman; Madison notes Demographics: Wealthy (lawyers, officeholders) educated (Harvard, Yale, Princeton) 1/3 slave owners

3. CONFLICT ONE: Congressional Representation VIRGINIA PLAN (Randolph Plan) Bicameral legislature Representation on population Favored by large states NEW JERSEY PLAN (Patterson Plan) Unicameral legislature Equal representation Favored by smaller states The Great Compromise Bicameral legislature Senate: upper house Equal representation Elected by state legislatures House of Representatives: lower house Based on population Elected by voters NEW JERSEY PLAN

4. CONFLICT TWO: State Population Population determines States’ number of representatives in House amount of direct taxes owed to the federal government Splits Northern and Southern states—sectionalism Three-Fifths Compromise Three out of every five slaves would be counted for both representation & taxes Comparative Population, Southern States, 1790

5. CONFLICT THREE: Slavery Two issues: prohibition of the slave trade and runaway slaves Commerce Compromise Congress can: Regulate interstate trade & foreign commerce tax imports and slaves Congress cannot: Tax exports Restrict the importation of slaves for 20 years (1808) Runaway slaves must be returned (Fugitive Slave Law) NORTH supports: regulation of interstate & foreign commerce freedom of slaves who make it North SOUTH SOUTH fears: regulation will increase export taxes Prohibition of slave trade

6. Division of Powers Federalism: power divided between a national government and state governments Delegated/Enumerated powers: powers granted to the national government by the Constitution Foreign affairs and regulation of interstate trade Reserved powers: powers not specifically granted to the national government, kept by states. education Concurrent Powers: powers held and exercised by both the national and state governments Tax and establish courts Separation of powers and checks and balances

7. Ratification Debate FEDERALISTS Favor strong federal government Hamilton, Jay, and Madison The Federalist Support ratification ANTIFEDERALISTS Opposed strong federal government Henry, Mason, and Lee Letters from the Federal Farmer Opposed ratification without addition of bill of rights First ten amendments added to Constitution 1-8: personal liberties requested by states 9-10: impose limits on the powers of the federal government Bill of Rights Ratification: December 15, 1791