Do you believe the Articles of

Confederation could have survived

without changes?

Research the following ■Average salary of a teacher in the United States ■Average salary of a military officer in the United

States ■Average salary of police officer and fireman ■Average income for a family of 4 in the United

States ■Average salary of a representative (Senator,

Congress man)■Jobs and Education of Representatives ■Cost of an election campaign

Assembly of the Demi-Gods

■ Who were the Delegates? (Read the handout)

■ Delegates were the “well-bred, the well-fed, the well-read, and the well-wed”❑ Wealthy Merchants of the

North ❑ Wealthy Slave holders of

the South

■ Today’s Government ❑ Senate – 67 millionaires ❑ Sen - $2.6 mill average

worth❑ House $750,000 average❑ Avg Salary - $175,000

■ $96,000 average family■ Hard to run

❑ Cant relate ■ Inside tips

Constitutional Convention

■ May of 1787❑ Named Washington

President.❑ Most recognized the

need for change.❑ With in 5 days scrap the

Articles.■ Recognized the need

for a stronger central government

Three Major Debates

1. Strong Central government vs. Strong States.

2. Large States vs. Small States.

3. Slavery

Making a Consitituion

● No Chief Executive● No National Court System● No Power to Draft Soldiers● No Power to Control Interstate

Commerce● No Power to Enforce Treaties● No Power to Collect Taxes from

the States● Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote)● No National Currency● Difficult to Amend ● (Unanimous Vote Needed to

Change Articles)

■ Outline a Constitution you would make addressing the following issues:❑ Weaknesses of the

Articles ❑ Balancing Power ❑ Slaves?

Ideas for Constitution

Virginia Plan

■ Virginia Plan – James Madison/Edumnd Randolph ❑ Three Branches of Gov’t.❑ Bi Cameral (two) House❑ Both would be based on

population.❑ Proportional

Representation■ Who does this favor?■ Pros/Cons?

Virginia PlanProposed by big states

Lawmaking body:

Bicameral (2 Houses)

Elected by the people

Elected by the 1st house

# of Congressmen determined by state population

Based on Population

New Jersey Plan

■ New Jersey Plan – William Paterson❑ Unicameral House (one

house)❑ Equal number of

representatives.❑ Expand Congress’s

power■ Right to tax■ Elect an executive

■ Who does this favor?■ Pros/Cons

New Jersey PlanSupported by smaller states

Lawmaking body:

Unicameral (1 House)

Based on Equality

Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise■ The Great

Compromise – Roger Sherman❑ Bi-Cameral House❑ One house based on

population.❑ One house had equal

representation

The Great CompromiseThis was a combination of both plans…

Lawmaking body:

Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)

House of Representatives

Senate

# of reps. would depend on populations

Each state gets 2 representatives

Slavery…That is the Question.

■ Who should be counted as part of the population?❑ Unity vs. Ideology❑ 3/5ths compromise

■ Representation■ Taxes

■ Slave Trade could not be touched until 1808

■ Fugitive Slave Clause

What issues did the Constitution leave unresolved?■ 1.■ 2.■ 3.