Constitutional Convention

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What events and economic conditions occurred after the Revolutionary War?

Economic depression No states south of Pennsylvania abolished

slavery Shay’s Rebellion Weak Articles of Confederation

Think/Pair/Share What was Shay’s Rebellion?

Shay’s Rebellion Started in 1786 Hard taxes to pay off the

States war debt made Massachusetts farmers rebel.

Led by Daniel Shay Created panic This made many people

feel that a strong government was needed to control such violent acts.

Think/Pair/Share Could our new federal government stop

rebellions under the Articles of Confederation? Why or Why not?

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

1. The national government could not force the states to obey its laws.

2. It did not have the power to tax.3. It did not have the power to enforce

laws.4. Congress lacked strong and steady

leadership5. There was no national army or navy6. There was no system of national

courts7. Each state could issue its own paper

money8. Each state could put tariffs on trade

between states.

The Constitutional Convention

Where? 53 delegates met in

absolute secrecy in Philadelphia in Independence hall

30 delegates attended every day

When? Summer of 1787

The Purpose? The goal was to revise

the Articles of Confederation

It was quickly decided to replace it

Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan

Small States

Large States

Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey PlanVirginia Plan Supported by big states Bicameral (2 houses) 1-elected by people, 2-elected by

first house # of congress determined by

population

New Jersey Supported by small states Unicameral (1 house) Based on equality Each state same # of

Representatives

The Great Compromise

Bicameral (2 house)

House of Representatives determined by population

Senate (each state has 2)

3/5 Compromise South wanted slaves

to count in population Decided to count 3/5

total number of slaves as population

5 blacks=3 whites for the state population (but slaves still couldn’t vote)

Think/Pair/Share With a neighbor

compare and contrast the Virginia Plan vs. the New Jersey Plan.

Think/Pair/Share Out of the Virginia

Plan and the New Jersey Plan what was created that combined a bit of both? Discuss what it entailed.

Think/Pair/Share What was the 3/5

Compromise?

Two sides make the Great Compromise