U.S. History Unit 3: Growth of a Nation
Part 1: The Constitution
NOTES
New Country—New challenges
Articles of Confederation
 Government helped win the war BUT
 Loose alliance had little central power
 Because of problems with British government they intentionally made a weak
government
 No power to tax to pay for war (power in hands of each individual state)
 No real lawmaking power (takes 9 of 13 states to pass a law)
 No power to regulate trade (states tariffs (taxes on trade) stifle trade)
 13 different currencies (very little gold or silver available) (stifles trade)
Shay’s Rebellion 1786
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All of the above causes severe revenue problems in most states.
In addition many colonies restrict voting and the right to hold office from many middle
income white males
95 % of people live and work on small farms
states begin seizing farms because they didn’t have gold or silver to pay taxes
small farmers and veterans led by Daniel Shay rebel against Massachusetts government
Jefferson believes such rebellions remind governments of their duties to citizens
Constitutional Convention 1787
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meeting of representatives from 12 of the states to create a new constitution and
government to replace the Articles of Confederation.
two issues deadlock the convention: conflicts between small and large states over
representation and the issue of slavery.
Delegates cosmopolitan and well educated
George Washington—president of convention-very little input in debates
James Madison “Father of the Constitution” –educated in types of governments
Ben Franklin—compromiser during debates
Robert Morris---wrote much of the actual language of the document
Alexander Hamilton----advocated a strong central government
Differing Plans
Virginia Plan (Big state plan) three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial)
 power to make laws that override state laws.
 Both houses of Congress (bicameral) based on population (proportional representation)
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Favors big states with big populations
New Jersey Plan (small state plan)
 Same plan as Virginia EXCEPT each state had equal voice (basically: one state—one
vote)
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
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three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial)
equal representation in the upper house (Senate) to satisfy small states
proportional representation in the lower house (House of Representatives) to satisfy
large states.
Slavery
Three-Fifths Compromise
 Southern states with less population want to count slaves for representation
 Northern states disagree (can’t vote and considered “property”)
 All “other persons”---slaves—would be counted as 3 for every 5 slaves for
representation.(slaves can’t vote/aren’t “people”)
 Southerners would have to pay proportional taxes for these extra “people”
Slave Trade Clause:
 North want to end slavery –South needs it for economic survival
 Congress would take no action to control the slave trade (NOT slavery) until after 1809.
Outcome
 Constitution contains no guarantees on individual rights (some delegates wouldn’t sign
without individual liberties guaranteed)
 Bill of Rights (First 10 amendments) were added (ratified 1791)
 The final compromise: a mechanism to change the Constitution was added.
 George Washington elected first President 1789
 When did last of the 13 states ratify the Constitution??
Parts of the Constitution
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Article 1: Legislative branch (Congress)
Article 2: Executive branch (President)
Article 3: Judicial branch (courts/Supreme Court)
Article 4: Basic rights of citizens and states
Article 5: Amending the Constitution
Checks and Balances
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“checks and balances” means that for almost every power granted to one branch of
government, there was an equal control for the other two. Each branch “checks” the
power of the others and “balances” their power.
Example: Supreme Court judges rule on constitutionality of laws, but President
appoints the judges and the Senate confirms them.
Federalist Papers
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85 essays published in newspapers in an attempt to convince citizens to ratify the new
Constitution with a strong federal government
Written by John Jay, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton under the name Publius
Opposed by Thomas Jefferson who wanted a weaker central government
See other notes and handouts for more information on the above topics