Drafting the ConstitutionChapter 5, Section 2

Objectives

1.Identify events that led nationalist leaders to call for a convention to strengthen the government. (6.1.12.C.2.b)

2. Summarize the key conflicts at the Constitutional Convention and explain how they were resolved. (6.1.12.B.2.b)

3. Describe the form of government established by the Constitution. (6.1.12.A.2.d)

Shays’ Rebellion

● Debt ridden farmers rose up against new government.

● Illustrated need for new government.

Calls for Convention

● Interstate trade led to quarrels over taxes and navigation rights.

● James Madison and Alexander Hamilton called a meeting of state delegates to discuss the issues.

Convention Highlights

Big States vs. Small States

Virginia Plan-James Madison proposed a bicameral legislature with membership based on population. Gave more power to the larger states.

NJ Plan-proposed a single-house congress in which each state had an equal vote.

The Great Compromise:

-Roger Sherman● Offered a two-house Congress to satisfy both large and small states. Each

state would have equal representation in the upper house (Senate). Population of state would determine representation in the lower house (House of Representatives).

● Voters determine the lower house members. Lower house members then determine Senators.

● Pleased those who wanted direct government and those who wanted to preserve state's rights.

Slavery-Related Issues

● Delegates agreed to the Three-Fifths Compromise which called for three-fifths of a states slaves to be counted as population.

• Settles voting issue, but not the economic and moral issues of slavery.

• Slaveholders worried Congress would abolish slave trade. Agreed to wait 20 years before considering issue again.

Creating a New Government:

Federalism- new form of government which divided powers between national and state governments.

DIVISION OF POWERS:

Powers granted to the federal government called: Delegated Powers- included foreign policy, national defense, regulating

interstate trade, coining money.

Powers kept by the states known as: Reserved Powers- supervising education, marriage laws, regulating trade

within the state.

Separation of Powers:

3 branches of Government:

1. Legislative-makes laws.

2. Executive-carries out laws.

3. Judicial-interprets laws.

Checks and Balances

• Designed to limit the power of each branch.

• Did not want any group of individuals to have too much power.

Electoral College-

• Group of electors chosen by states to select President.

• Travel and communication limited.

• Distrusted the lower classes, did not feel they could vote wisely.