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Date:
209-
Chapter 11 Section 1
Writing a Constitution
The following are Mrs. Luna’s notes. The students are to use them
as a guide but to copy them verbatim is plagiarism which is a
violation of the Copy right laws of intellectual property.
Source of notes is the textbook:
North Carolina in the American Experience © 2008.
McDougal Littell
71
Date:
209-
Chapter 11 Section 1
Writing a Constitution
Objectives
1.
Assess the weaknesses of the government under the Articles of
Confederation and how Shay’s Rebellion revealed these
weaknesses.
2.
Trace the discussions of the Constitutional Convention and
identify the significance of the Great Compromise.
3.
Examine how slavery was written into the Constitution.
4.
Describe limits on the power of the president.
The Articles of Confederation
What was the first plan
for a national govt?
March 1781
All 13 states approved the Art. of Confed.
Power divided btwn nat’l govt and state govt
Who was given the greater
power?
Most power given to states
Congress had little power.
What powers did the
states have?
Each state had one (1) vote despite the population
Regulate trade
Collect taxes
What powers did the
congress have?
Declare war
Provide mail service
Enter into treaties
Coin money.
Problems with Art of
Confed.
Congress could not pay costs of the Am. Rev.
Could as for money but could not enforce payment
Could not settle trade disputes
Worried a foreign power could take over the new nation
Summarize notes.
Shay’s Rebellion
What were the
causes?
High taxes in Massachusetts
People had to sell their land
What happened?
Daniel Shays and other farmers tried to seize guns stored in
Springfield.
Govt. sent troops to quell the rebellion
What were the
effects?
Massachusetts requested help from Congress but Congress
did not have the power to provide help.
Connect to present Do you feel that present day Congress has too much or too
day.
little power? Explain and give specific examples with details.
Do you feel that Congress has the right to interfere with
what is normally left to the states? i.e. education, health care,
other?
The Lost State of Franklin
Why did NC
give up some of
its Land?
Congress asked VA, GA, and NC to give up their
western land to the govt.
NC agreed.
Cause;
Govt wanted and
land and people
wanted to honor
Ben Franklin.
Effect:
A state was named for Ben Franklin.
A state constitution was created.
John Sevier was elected governor.
People were still loyal to NC so the state did not last.
The state lasted four years.
Questions arose about how to add new states to the U.S.
The Constitutional Convention is
held.
Describe the
Constitutional
Convention
May 25, 1787 - Pennsylvania
12 of 13 state – RI did not attend
Wanted to make the Art. of Confed. stronger
Confidential - Guards posted & windows closed
Points discussed
Wanted govt. to be republic
Fed govt. collect taxes
Fed govt. regulate trade btwn states and other countries
Govt. w/h 3 parts
•Congress – make laws
•President to ensure laws are followed
•Courts to try cases of national law
•No one section would be more powerful than other.
Concerns
How many votes should a state have?
How to choose a president.
How should power be divided btwn nat’l and state govt.
The Great Compromise
Small States
concerns
Single assembly with equal representation
Large States
concerns
Based on population
Solution
Connecticut delegates suggested
2 houses
Senate = 2 members elected by representatives
House of Rep = elected by voters
# based on population
Slavery in the Constitution
3/5 is the
North vs South. 3/5 Compromise
magic number
North
Slaves were not citizens and should not be counted.
South
Wanted slaves to be counted towards population.
Solution
3/5 of the slaves population would be counted.
•Taxes:
•Representatives in HOR
Who wants to
ban slavery ?
•North said no to slave trade.
•Some Southern states wanted slavery banned.
•Congress could not ban slave trade until 1808
The Role of the President
How is the president Electors = Senators + Rep
elected?
Who has the final say?
The president signs a bill into law.
President has the power to veto.
2/3 majority overrides a veto
Ratifying the
Constitution
States had to hold conventions to decide if the
Constitution would be approved.
9 out of 13 states needed to approve (ratify) the
Constitution before it could go into effect.
Summarize your notes
The U.S. Census
How does the Census work?
•First taken in 1790. Census
counts population for
representatives in Congress.
•Many people avoided being
counted for fear of raising
taxes.
Connect to present day.
•2010 is a Census year. Is it
important to complete the Census
and return it by April 1? Why or
why not. Give specific details.