Founding our Nation

• Please take out…– your chart from yesterday– Pen/pencil– Notes (RT/Comp/Spiral/whatever)

Founding the Nation

Constitutional Convention

• We are a young nation with new-found freedom and independence from Great Britain– What do we do next?– How are we going to survive and thrive?– Who’s going to be in charge?

Constitutional Convention

• May 1787, to address weaknesses in the Articles of the Confederation– James Madison: “Father of the Constitution”

• Thought federal government was too weak• States put too much power in the hands of the people• Only delegate to show up with a plan!!

Virginia Plan

• Powerful central government• Bi-cameral, based on population– Power to appoint executive and judicial branches

and veto state law

Virginia Plan

• Immediately opposed smaller states– Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts

contained 50% of the U.S. population– “If adopted, just four states could dominate

legislation and ignore the rest”

New Jersey Plan

• Unicameral, equal representation• Great power to Congress, elect executive council

• Large states argued why should Delaware (59,000) have equal power to Virginia (748,000)

New Jersey Plan

Question….

• With a partner…– If you were a delegate at the convention, which of

these two plans would you vote for?– What factors determined your decision?– What issues do you foresee with using your plan?– Do you have a better proposal for the convention?

Connecticut Plan

• Bicameral Congress• Lower house – population– House of Representatives– Directly elected by voters, sole right to initiate

revenue bills; 2-year terms

• Upper House – equal– The Senate– 2 Senators to serve 6-year terms

“Great Compromise”

Powers of Congress

• Tax• Coin and borrow money, issue paper money• Could NOT favor one state over another• Could NOT impose export duties• Amendments had to be ¾ of the states

• Use the textbook (pp. 57, 67) to complete the Bill of Rights chart– In the LEFT column – write the amendment in

your own words– In the RIGHT column – draw a picture to represent

that amendment and the right(s) it protects