The Formation of the The Formation of the United States ConstitutionUnited States Constitution

Is this a rising or a setting Is this a rising or a setting sun?sun?

Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin stated: “I have often stated: “I have often

looked at that looked at that behind the president behind the president without being able to without being able to

tell whether it was tell whether it was rising or setting. But rising or setting. But now I…know that it now I…know that it is a rising…sun.”is a rising…sun.”

Shays RebellionShays Rebellion• Occurred during the summer and fall of 1786Occurred during the summer and fall of 1786• Daniel Shays, a Massachusetts farmer, returned from the Daniel Shays, a Massachusetts farmer, returned from the

war to discover he was in debt and his farm might be taken war to discover he was in debt and his farm might be taken awayaway

• Shays stated that this was from over taxationShays stated that this was from over taxation• Shays demanded courts be closed to keep land from being Shays demanded courts be closed to keep land from being

takentaken• September 1786 Shays led army of farmers to close courtsSeptember 1786 Shays led army of farmers to close courts• 1787 Shays led 1,200 men to arsenal1787 Shays led 1,200 men to arsenal• Militia were called out and four rebels killedMilitia were called out and four rebels killed• Rebellion caused panicRebellion caused panic• Other states worried that rebellion wouldOther states worried that rebellion would

strike themstrike them• People knew it was time for a stronger nationPeople knew it was time for a stronger nation

Call for ConventionCall for Convention

Annapolis Convention (September 1786)Annapolis Convention (September 1786)• Attended by James Madison of Virginia and Attended by James Madison of Virginia and

Alexander Hamilton of New YorkAlexander Hamilton of New York• Hamilton wanted states to discuss interstate Hamilton wanted states to discuss interstate

trade and the problems with the current trade and the problems with the current Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

• Only five states sent representatives, Only five states sent representatives, delegates called for another meeting the delegates called for another meeting the next year in Philadelphianext year in Philadelphia

• Shay’s Rebellion convinced states to send Shay’s Rebellion convinced states to send delegates to second convention in delegates to second convention in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia

The Federal ConventionThe Federal Convention

• Today called the Constitutional ConventionToday called the Constitutional Convention• Lasted from May-September 1787Lasted from May-September 1787• 55 delegated attended, though some only stayed for part of 55 delegated attended, though some only stayed for part of

the sessionthe session• Very hot summer in PhillyVery hot summer in Philly• Secrecy was very important, all windows were kept closed, Secrecy was very important, all windows were kept closed,

delegates told not to talk delegates told not to talk • Most delegates wealthy, all were WHITE MALES who owned Most delegates wealthy, all were WHITE MALES who owned

landland• George Washington elected President of the conventionGeorge Washington elected President of the convention

Faces of the Faces of the Constitutional Constitutional

ConventionConvention

Is this man young or old?

Does he look rich or poor?

Do you think he was liberal or conservative?

Do you know who it is?

Is he from the North or the South?

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise• Two plans for government were proposed at the Two plans for government were proposed at the

ConventionConvention• Virginia Plan: James Madison said that their should Virginia Plan: James Madison said that their should

be a bicameral legislature with membership based be a bicameral legislature with membership based on population of the stateson population of the states

• New Jersey Plan: William Paterson said there should New Jersey Plan: William Paterson said there should be one house where each state had one equal votebe one house where each state had one equal vote

• Roger Sherman proposed a compromiseRoger Sherman proposed a compromise• Two HousesTwo Houses• Senate: Where each state would have two reps.Senate: Where each state would have two reps.• House of Representatives: Where membership House of Representatives: Where membership

would be based on populationwould be based on population• Called the Great Compromise and gave us what we Called the Great Compromise and gave us what we

now call: Congressnow call: Congress

Three-Fifths CompromiseThree-Fifths Compromise• Representation that would be based on Representation that would be based on

population called into question who population called into question who would be counted as part of the would be counted as part of the populationpopulation

• Southern states wanted slaves to countSouthern states wanted slaves to count• Northern states felt that if they were Northern states felt that if they were

not considered free they should not be not considered free they should not be countedcounted

• Eventually delegates agreed to count Eventually delegates agreed to count three-fifths of a state’s slaves as three-fifths of a state’s slaves as populationpopulation

What do you think?What do you think?• Was this fair?Was this fair?• Why didn’t the delegates use this time to Why didn’t the delegates use this time to

abolish slavery?abolish slavery?• The delegates decided to continue slave The delegates decided to continue slave

trade for twenty more years and then stop trade for twenty more years and then stop it. Why didn’t they stop it immediately?it. Why didn’t they stop it immediately?

• Could they have prevented the Civil War?Could they have prevented the Civil War?• What does this tell us about the delegates?What does this tell us about the delegates?

How to Organize a How to Organize a GovernmentGovernment

• The delegates had to decide the best way to The delegates had to decide the best way to organize the governmentorganize the government

• All agreed on three branches of governmentAll agreed on three branches of government• Legislative Branch: to make the lawsLegislative Branch: to make the laws• Executive Branch: to carry out the lawsExecutive Branch: to carry out the laws• Judicial Branch: to interpret the lawsJudicial Branch: to interpret the laws• Checks and Balances were put into place so that Checks and Balances were put into place so that

no one branch could be stronger then anotherno one branch could be stronger then another• Decided that they would have an executive Decided that they would have an executive

leader and he would be called: Presidentleader and he would be called: President

JournalJournal

• Pick one theme, thought, idea, etc…, that Pick one theme, thought, idea, etc…, that you have learned today. Write down your you have learned today. Write down your thoughts about that idea. Do you agree thoughts about that idea. Do you agree or disagree? State why. Do you have a or disagree? State why. Do you have a better idea? What is it? Do you think your better idea? What is it? Do you think your idea would have been done differently if idea would have been done differently if the convention were held today? the convention were held today?

• We will write for ten minutes.We will write for ten minutes.

Discussion Images: Society in Discussion Images: Society in 17871787