The document discusses the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention. It explains that the Articles of Confederation created a weak national government and a loose alliance between the states. Problems arose under this system, demonstrating the need for a stronger central government, which led to the Constitutional Convention. The Convention debated issues of representation and slavery, and sought to address the weaknesses of the Articles through the new Constitution.

1. Why type of government would support our
values?
What is a constitution?

2. Explain the structures of state governments...

3. Compare to Massachusetts government...

4. Explain how Americans were self-sufficient.
Why does this idea interfere with creating a national
government?

5. Our first attempt at a constitution is the Articles
of Confederation.
Why is this needed?
_____I__________I____________I__________I________
1776 *1777 1783 1787
Declaration Articles of Treaty of
Constitutional
Confederation Paris
Convention

6. Creating a constitution
I. Base Vocabulary:
-constitution: a document that sets out laws in an
organized manner
-confederacy: a loose alliance between the states to
support each other
**national government: government that is structured
to include the whole NATION which becomes the
Articles of Confederation

7. Our first attempt at a constitution is the Articles of
Confederation.
Why is this needed?

8. What is a confederation?
a group of states united under a weak central government
FYI::::
*Constitutional Principles from the
Iroquois Confederacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=uRP8C2xpyEQ

9. Our first attempt at a constitution is the
Articles of Confederation.
Articles of Confederation: the W’s
1. Articles of Confederation: a loose alliance between
the new 13 states that created a weak national
government
2. Date: 1781
3. Location: Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
4. Reason: to create a national government to bind the
states together versus state governments
5. Founding Fathers: the men who gather to write our
constitutions, delegates from each state

10. Articles of
Confederation
Strengths:
1. national govt controls military
2. states cannot fight each other
3. created a national treasury
4. treasury to provide money for
military
5. pass important laws-13 equal
votes, must have 9 to pass
all states must abide by this
constitution

11. Articles of
Confederation

12. Problem?

13. Why are these a problem?
• A man from Massachusetts cannot sell his farm produce in Connecticut
• A family from Virginia traveled to New York. They were unable to buy
necessary items because New York Merchants refused to accept Virginia
currency
• George Martin of Georgia refused to pay debts to loyalist John Dennison of
the same state as guaranteed by the Treaty of Paris
• A group of citizens in Virginia imported woolen goods from Great Britian
and refused to pay for them.
• New Jersey needs funds to conduct the business of the state, so they
printed more money
• France would not loan money to the new government
• The representatives from the state of Virginia protested that their

15. Articles of
Confederation
Weaknesses:
1. 13 states: some felt unfairly that they need
more representation based on population,
*equal votes but need 9 of 13 to pass a law
2. money issues: all states did not have the
same currency, national government made
currency but no value “continental”
3. issues with foreign countries cannot be
addressed
4. states execute the laws, not an executive
branch
5. TAXES: different states have their own taxing
system, national government cannot tax
6. No courts to judge the laws

16. Cause and Effect
States have too
much power…..
National
government
does not have
enough
power….

17. FEDERALISM: establishes the division of power
between national government and the states; POWER is
shared between the national government and the states

18. Shay’s Rebellion Is the Articles of Confederation a
functional mission statement?
What is a MISSION? a goal that everyone works
toward to help a community
What does Shay’s
Rebellion foretell? 14 minutes

19. Burning Issues at the convention…..
Should slavery be legal in any of the united
states?

20. Burning Issues at the convention…..
Should the Constitution allow the
slave trade to continue?

21. Burning Issues at the convention…..
Should free Northern states be required to return runaway
slaves to the South?

22. Burning Issues at the convention…..
Should US government bonds (money) be paid back in full?
All? Some?

23. Burning Issues at the convention…..
Who should be allowed to vote in general elections?

24. Our government ideas were inspired by
Roman Republic
Republican Government:
1. citizens have the power to govern
2. the citizens give power to leaders to elect to represent them and to serve
their interests
3. the representatives are responsible for promoting the common welfare (the
good of the community)
-laws made by representatives elected by people would be fair and serve the
common welfare
-people have greater freedom and be able to live secure and comfortable lives
Story of Cincinnatus

25. <iframe width="560" height="315"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/71eY67Ht4Lo" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe

26. WELCOME TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
This is known as the Preamble.
This is the MISSION of the convention.
What is a mission again?

27. W’s about the convention

28. What is a Constitutional government?
What is the purpose of a government?
How is it organized?
How does the government go about its business?
How are rules made?
How are people picked to serve?
Who is considered a citizen?
What rights and responsibilities are citizens supposed to have?
Are citizens supposed to have control over their government?
● The person or group ruling has LIMITS…..

29. Constitutional
Convention
A. Time period: summer, 1787
B. Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
C. Key Vocabulary:
• constitution: a document that sets
out the laws and principles
• delegate: an elected official who
represents a state
• compromise: a settlement in which
each side gives up some its
demands in order to reach an
agreement
• Federalism******
Extras for
Understanding

30. Federalism: a principle of the United states that
establishes the division of power between national government
and the states; POWER is shared between the national
government and the states
Discuss these images. Why is this graphic organizer helpful?

31. What makes a great leader?
Brainstorm……….Extras for
Understanding

33. A little about the delegates

35. Virginia Plan

39. Go Roger Sherman of CT!!

41. Constitutional Convention:
HOW to resolve issues?
6. Possible plans to resolve issues
– Virginia Plan
• Written by
• Ideas included

42. Cont.
6. Possible plans to resolve issues (HOW)
– New Jersey Plan
• Written by
• Ideas included

43. 3/5THS COMPROMISE

44. Interesting… break this apart

45. Did you know though….

46. Cont….
7.. Slavery Issue and Population
**** 3/5ths Compromise:

47. Topics to Debate
• How should the states be represented? Small vs. Large
• Role of a strong central, national government? Are you for
federalism or anti- federalism?
• Views on the slavery system and your economy? Do you need
the workforce? Should they be counted as citizens?

48. Constitutional Convention
1787
Please sign in...

51. Break Into Northern and Southern
States and discuss
• Size
• Economy
• Your state’s voice and
concerns
• Should you be allies?
• Will you support the
Constitution?

52. What about individual rights?
7.. After the Constitution was drafted, George
Mason brought to the attention of the fathers that
individual, natural rights did not appear in this
document. As an addition, they added the first ten
amendments:
**** Bill of Rights:

56. Are we there yet?

66. Did they get the signatures to ratify
immediately?

68. Ratify: to have all states agree to the document, treaty,
law or constituion
What do you think of the numbers? Are we all ready to become the new
United States of America?

72. Who Really Won?
Using a copy of the Constitution, figure out what was decided at the convention.
1. Should slavery be legal in any of the United States?
(Article I, Clause I)
2. Should the slave trade be continued? (Article I, Section 9,
Clause 1)
3. Who should be allowed to vote?
4. Should Northerners be forced to return runaway slaves to
their owners? (Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3)
What social groups won the real
Constitutional Convention?