Ch 5.2 Drafting the Constitution
MAIN IDEA
At the Philadelphia convention in
1787, delegates reject the Articles of
Confederation and create a new
constitution.
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The constitutional convention
formed the plan the government
that the U.S. still has today.
Shay’s Rebellion
• Proved weakness of
A.o.Confederation.
• 1786-1787, Daniel
Shay organizes
farmers.
-Farmers are losing
farms.
• G. Washington calls
for a stronger
national government.
Call for Convention
• 5 states send delegates
to meeting on interstate
trade (1786).
• Shay’s Rebellion leads 12
states to join.
-Revise the Articles of
Confederation..
• James Madison of VA.
-Father of the
Constitution.
What Happen?
• May 1787, 55 delegates meet at Pennsylvania State
House.
-Windows shut to prevent eavesdropping.
• Washington elected presiding officer.
Virginia Plan
• James Madison’s
-Three branches of government.
-Bicameral Legislature
-Two houses, a lower and an
upper house.
-Based on each state’s
population.
New Jersey Plan
• William
Paterson’s
Plan
-Single house
of Congress.
-One vote per
state.
The Great Compromise
• Roger Sherman’s Bicameral Congress.
• Each state equal representation in the
Senate (upper house). Two seats per state.
• Representation in the House of
Representatives (lower house), based on
pop.
-Representation.
-Northern states, slaves for taxes not
Congress
-Southern states, slaves for Congress not
taxes.
Three-Fifths Compromise
• Proposed that three-fifths of a
state’s slaves can be counted for
representation.
-Cannot interfere with slave trade
for 20 years.
-Congress can regulate foreign
trade.
Constitution of 1787
• Created a strong central (federal)
government.
-Gets its power from the people.
Federalism
• Division of power between
national and state gov.
• Has delegated or enumerated
powers.
-Handles foreign affairs, defense,
interstate trade, and money.
State Powers
• Called reserved powers.
-Handles education, marriage
laws, trade within state.
-Shared powers include right to
tax, borrow money, and establish
courts.
What/Why Important/As A Result
Voc.
• Using the What/Why Important/As A
Result format, define these three words.
1.Constitution
2.Compromise
3.Federalism
Thomas Jefferson, Virginia’s
Statue for Religious Statute
• Read pg. 618 and answer the three
questions.
Study Guide pg.39
• Copy and complete the study guide on
page 39.
• Use textbook pages 86-91 to complete it.