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 central
government.
Call for Convention
• 5 states send delegates to
meeting on interstate trade
(1786).
• After Shay’s Rebellion 12
states to join.
• James Madison of VA.
-Father of the Constitution
-Central Government
made up of three
branches.
-Executive, Judicial, and
Legislative.
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, Bicameral
Legislature
-Two houses, a lower and an
upper house.
-Based on each state’s
population.
-Benefitted large states.
New Jersey Plan
• William
Paterson’s Plan
-Single house
Congress.
-One vote per
state.
-Benefitted
smaller states.
The Great Compromise
• Roger Sherman’s Bicameral Congress.
• Senate- giving each state equal
representation.
• House of Representatives-representation
by population.
• Representation.
-Northern states, slaves for taxes not
house.
-Southern states, slaves for house not
taxes.
Three-Fifths Compromise
• Proposed that three-fifths of a
state’s slaves be counted for
representation.
• Congress power to regulate
foreign trade.
• Cannot interfere with slave trade
for 20 years.
Federalism
• Division of power between
national and state government.
• 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.