May 1781

Constitutional Convention

Shay’s Rebellion

Constitutional Convention

May 1787

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

12 of the 13 states were present.

Rhode Island refused to send a delegate because it was afraid of losing its states' rights.

Worked for 4 months behind closed doors of the State House to draft a new document known later as the "Constitution."

Writing the Constitutions

The Constitutional Convention met for 4 months. The 55 delegates were seldom all together at once because the weather was bad and travel was difficult.

About 35 delegates were present during the process of writing the Constitution

Constitutional Convention InvitationDesign an invitation that will be sent to prospective delegates to the

Constitutional Convention.

The invitation should include information about

• Extend an invitation to all delegates of the 13

states

• State the purpose of the convention- Revising of

the Articles of Confederation

• When: May 17th 1787 – completion

• Where: Pennsylvania State House, Philadelphia, PA

• Some of the “famous attendees” – who will be

invited:

G. Washington, T. Jefferson, B. Franklin, J.

Madison

• What will be accomplished:

Examples

Constitutional Convention Card

NameColony:Age:Occupation:College:Attended the Continental Convention YES NOProposal: ________I was known for __ at the Constitution

Federalist Anti- federalist

Create a Nametag

FRONT Name Colony Personal Designs

BACK Federalist vs. Anti Federalist

INSIDE 1-2 unique things about your framer

Extension

Create a journal entry or blog your from your delegate.

Create Facebook page for delegate.

Colony: Delegate

Georgia• Abraham Baldwin• Few•

Connecticut• Oliver Ellsworth• Roger Sherman•

Delaware• Gunnuing Bedford Jr• John Dickinson•

Massachusetts• King• Elbridge Gerry•

Maryland• James McHenry• Martin•

New Hampshire• John Langdon• Gilmore•

New Jersey• James Patterson• David Brearley•

New York• Alexander Hamilton• Robert Yates•

North Carolina• Hugh Williamson• Blount •

Pennsylvania• Benjamin Franklin• James Wilson• Gouverneor Morris

Virginia• James Madison• George Washington• Mason

South Carolina• John Rutledge• Pickiney•

Let the Work Begin

George Washington was elected the leader His job was to keep the meeting orderly & effective

Rules Each state was given one vote Any delegate could voice than opinion All proceedings would be kept secret until

finished

Virginia Plan – Edmund Randolph

Bi-cameral house

Based on population or money contributions

Representation24

5

210

15

4

7

New Jersey Plan – William Patterson

One-house legislature based

representatives selected by state leg.

One vote per state

Representation2

2

22

2

4

2

Great Compromise

CONNETICUT Roger Sherman

Equal 2 per state = 50Based on population

3/5th Compromise

Slaves could not vote

Slaves would count for three-fifths of a person for determining both representation and taxation.

Signing of the Constitution

Governor Morris of New Jersey put the Constitution in its final form. He competed the task of hand-writing 4,300

words in two days!

The Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787.

Ratifying the Constitution

The Federalist Papers 85 essays supporting the ratification of the

Constitution Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

Federalist Those who supported the new Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution

Bill of Rights

Anti – Federalist delegates who refused to ratify the Constitution

James Madison wrote 12 amendments/ ten were approved

Bill of Rights 1st ten amendment to the Constitution