6:3 I. Towards a New

Government

Disputes between the statesCauses:

1. suspicion & rivalry2. postwar depression3. weak central government

Effects:1. boundary disputes2. states taxed goods from other states3. different currencies led to trade problems4. Shay’s Rebellion5. secession talks

American’s realize after 5 years that change is needed!!!

A. Congress calls a meeting in Philadelphia

a. May 1787: Constitutional Conventionb. Purpose: revise Articles of Confederation

B. Attendees:a. 55 delegates: lawyers, judges, well educated and experienced politicians.b. George Washington – President c. James Madison – “Father of the Constitution”d. Alexander Hamiltone. Benjamin Franklin- (oldest delegate)

C. Absenteesa. John Adams, Jefferson – in Europe as diplomatsb. Sam Adams, Patrick Henry,- opposed changing Art. Of Conf.

D. Meetings were private & details kept from public.

II. Conflicts and Compromise“Bundle of Compromises!”A. Problem: Representation in

Congressa. Virginia Plan-

i. Written by James Madison ii. Supported by LARGE

statesiii. Proposed representation

based on population.

The Virginia Plan—continued

The Virginia Plan called for... New government with 3 separate

branches (legislative, judicial, & executive)

Bicameral legislature – Representation based on population or upon how much money it gave in support of the central government.

Lower House – House of Rep. elected by popular vote from each State.

Upper House – Senate Chosen by the House from a list of nominations.

b. New Jersey Plan- i. Written by William Patersonii. Supported by SMALL statesiii. Proposed equal representation in

Congressiv. Retain unicameral legislatures v. All states equal representation

vi. Limited powers to tax & regulate trade between states

vii. Federal Executive-Selected by Congressviii. Federal Judiciary- Selected by the

Executive

c. Solution: THE GREAT COMPROMISEAlso known as the CT Plan

i. Representation in the lower house (House of Representation) based on populationii. Representation in upper house (Senate) is equal = all states get 2 each

B. Problem: Do slaves count for representation/taxation?a. North – NO for representation, YES for taxesb. South – YES for representation, NO for

taxes.c. Solution: 5 slaves = 3 people for representation & taxes.

“THREE FIFTHS COMPROMISE”

C. Problem : Importation of Slavesa. North – NOb. South – YESc. Solution: Slave importation could

continue for 20 more years (End in 1808)

D. Taxation of Imports/Exportsa. Agricultural States – NOb. Manufacturing States- YESc. Solution: Congress can tax imports

but NOT exports.

III. New Power of Congress

A. Levy & collect taxesB. Regulate foreign and interstate

commerceC. Coin $

IV. Establishment of Executive Branch

A. Single executive w/ a 4 year term chosen by state electors.

V. Establishment of a Judicial Branch

A. Supreme Court & power to create other courts established.

VI. Ratification of the Constitution

A. NINE states required for ratification.a. Difficulty obtaining states’ approval.b. “Federalists”- supporters of the Constitution

i. Believed in Federalism (system in which power is shared by central & state governments).ii. Promised amendments would be added.iii. Published “The Federalist Papers”

I. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay

c. “Anti-Federalists”-opposed the Constitutioni. Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, John Hancockii. Central government too much poweriii. No mention of God in documentiv. Failed to protect basic libertiesv. Wanted to maintain status quo

B. By July 1788, the Constitution was ratified by 9 states!!!! New government is launched!