Do you believe the Articles of
Confederation could have survived without changes?

■ 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

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Who were the
Delegates? (Read the handout)
Delegates were the
“well-bred, the wellfed, the well-read, and the wellwed”
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Wealthy Merchants of the
North
Wealthy Slave holders of the South
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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

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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

1. Strong Central government vs. Strong
States.
2. Large States vs. Small
States.
3. Slavery

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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:
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Weaknesses of the
Articles
Balancing Power
Slaves?

Virginia Plan
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Virginia Plan – James
Madison/Edumnd
Randolph
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Three Branches of Gov’t.
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Bi Cameral (two) House
Both would be based on population.
❑ Proportional
Representation
Who does this favor?
Pros/Cons?

Proposed by big states
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral (2 Houses)
Based on
Population
Elected by the people
Elected by the 1st house
# of Congressmen determined by state population

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New Jersey Plan –
William Paterson
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Unicameral House (one house)
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Equal number of representatives.
Expand Congress’s power
Right to tax
Elect an executive
Who does this favor?
Pros/Cons

Supported by smaller states
Lawmaking body:
Unicameral (1 House)
Each state would have the same number of
Representatives or votes
Based on
Equality

■ The Great
Compromise – Roger
Sherman
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Bi-Cameral House
One house based on population.
One house had equal representation

This was a combination of both plans…
Lawmaking body:
Bicameral Congress (2 Houses)
House of
Representatives
# of reps. would depend on populations
Senate
Each state gets 2 representatives

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Who should be counted as part of the population?
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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?
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1.
2.
3.