BELL RINGER
With the person sitting next to you, discuss…
1) What are the 3 key concepts of Republicanism?
2) What were the 3 basic issues debated when
drafting the Articles of Confederation?
3) What makes the Articles of Confederations weak?
1) Describe Shay’s Rebellion
and what that represented.
2) Summarize the key
conflicts at the
Constitutional Convention.
3) Outline the form of
government that the U.S.
Constitution established.
From Weakness to Failure…
Why the Articles of Confederation Failed
 Country lacked any national unity
•
Each state functioned independently
 Huge debt from Revolutionary War
 Congress could not enact or collect taxes
 9 of 13 had to agree to pass a new law
 Congress could not regulate foreign trade
 All states had to agree on an amendment
 Huge debt from farmers
 No one to enforce the laws (executive branch)
 Didn’t recognize differences in populations
 Problems with foreign nations, states had little
concern for the nation as a whole
•
Especially with Spain and England
Shay’s Rebellion (1787) showed a serious problem. With so
many farmers willing to rebel, panic spread through the new
nation. James Madison & Alexander Hamilton called for a
convention to discuss the problems.
Back to the Drawing Board…
After Shay’s Rebellion, it is evident that changes must be made. In may of 1787, 12 of the 13 states meet
in Philadelphia to figure out the changes that needed to me made to the Articles of Confederation.
They soon realized they have to form a new government.
Big VS Small States
The Great Compromise
Bi-cameral Legislature
• #1 based on
population
• #2 has 2 per state
Key Issues at
the
Constitutional
Convention
Slavery Issues
Will slaves count as
people?
3/5th Compromise
3/5th of a state’s
slaves will count for
population
New Government Structure
FEDERALISM – divided power between the state and federal governments
Separation of Powers – 3 Branches, keeps one branch from getting too much power
The Great Compromise
Virginia Plan
New Jersey
Plan
You need to remember FEDERALISM like
Dory remembers P. Sherman 42 Wallaby way
Sydney!!
Antifederalists
Federalists
 Supported the Constitution
 Opposed the Constitution
 Included George
 Included Samuel Adams
Washington & James
Madison
 Heavy support from cities,
skilled workers, merchants,
and laborers
 Small states and areas with
and Patrick Henry
VS
 Supported from rural areas
 People thought it would
add to their taxes
 Large states and areas with
stronger economies had
weak economy supported
greater freedom under the
the idea of a stronger
Articles of Confederation
central government
A war of words resulted in public debates. The Federalist Papers appeared in
newspapers defending the Constitution. Letters from the Federal Farmer appeared as
a counter to the Papers. Most newspapers favored the Federalists.
Antifederalist
Against the Constitution
Federalist
For the Constitution
Antifederalists had a
strong argument
against the
Constitution. It
lacked a “Bill of
Rights” which is a
formal summary of
citizens’ rights.
People demanded a Bill of Rights to
ease their fear of a strong central
government. They wanted written
guarantee of freedom of speech,
press, religion
Ratifying the Constitution
The Constitution is
ratified and the new
government becomes
a reality in 1789,
however Rhode
Island did not ratify
until 1790
For many states
ratification depended
on the presence of a
Bill of Rights. The
states recommended
80 amendments,
then it was narrowed
to just 10.
First 10 Amendments = Bill of Rights
• 1-8 concern personal liberties
• 9th asserts that rights are not limited to those
specifically mentioned
• 10th affirms that people and states have power
not specifically given to the national government
1) Describe Shay’s Rebellion
and what that represented.
2) Summarize the key
conflicts at the
Constitutional Convention.
3) Outline the form of
government that the U.S.
Constitution established.