by the mid 1780’s it was clear that the articles of confederation was not working for the united...
TRANSCRIPT
By the mid 1780’s It was clear that the
Articles of Confederation was not working for the United States.
Could not control interstate commerce Trade between states▪ Each state had its own money and tariffs
This led directly to America going into a depression▪ Economic downturn combined with high
unemployment
Slavery in States North ▪ No slaves▪ Blacks were free!
South ▪ Slaves were necessary
for economic survival!▪ Helped keep price of
cotton and tobacco low.
Sept. 1786 Representatives from Virginia tried to
organize a convention in Annapolis, MD for states to talk about issues▪ Convention ▪ Meeting held by governments
Problem…▪ Only 5 states showed up! ▪ What do you do?
Next meeting was to be in Philadelphia, PA in May 1787. Start demanding changes to the AOC:▪ Make a strong federal government that can force
states to work together▪ Might want to include:
Executive branches (President) Judicial branches (Supreme Court)
▪ But, how do you get states to come to this meeting? You need something bad to happen!
Daniel Shays leads armed rebellion against state officials What is the issue?▪ Farmers were being
kicked off their land for not paying off their debts to state governments!
What happens?▪ Farmers start killing state
officials.
Nothing.. However, people are beginning to ask
▪ “How were we able to beat the world’s largest empire to gain independence but could not keep order in peacetime???”
▪ We need a new government!! A strong government!!▪ This gets the states to go to Philly, PA in 1787
May 1787 Constitutional
Convention held in Philadelphia, PA▪ Goal = make a new
government
Held in Independence Hall▪ Same place we signed
the Declaration of Independence
Virginia Plan Led by James Madison
Called for a large federal government with 3 branches▪ Executive▪ President
▪ Legislative▪ Bicameral
# of members/state = size of population
▪ Judicial▪ Supreme Court
New Jersey Plan Led by William Paterson
Called for a large federal government with 3 branches▪ Executive ▪ President
▪ Legislative▪ Unicameral
Each state has 1 representative
▪ Judicial▪ Supreme Court
Executive Branch Led by an elected official called President
Legislative Branch Bicameral legislation▪ Senate ▪ Each state has one member (makes it equal)
▪ House of Representatives▪ # of members from each state = size of population
Judicial Branch Supreme Court
What do we do about slavery? The North wants to get rid of it all
together!
The South wants to count their slaves as people!▪ Gets them a larger population▪ = more members in House of Representatives!!
▪ So, on to the next debate…..
What is interstate commerce?
What is the Constitutional Convention?
What is the difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?