The document summarizes the events leading up to the writing of the US Constitution. It describes the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including that the government was too weak to enforce laws or collect taxes. This led states to call a convention to strengthen the government. Delegates met at the Constitutional Convention and debated issues like representation and slavery. They developed compromises like the Connecticut Compromise and 3/5 Compromise to help agree on a new governing document, the US Constitution.

1. The Road to the Constitution By: Laura Birge Ewen and Donable, Winding Road, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution

2. Reasons for the Articles of Confederation Written during the Revolutionary War Written by The Continental Congress Ratified March 1, 1781 Sense of a unified government Bring states together “The Articles of Confederation.” www.congressforkids.net. The Dirksen Congressional Center, 2008. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Cliff 1066, Betsy Ross Flag, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution

3. Problems with the Articles of Confederation Weak government Purposefully Could notenforce laws Steve Cherrier, Flying Eagle 2, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution, No Derivative Works “The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.” www.earlyamerica.com. Archiving Early America, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2011.

4. Money Problems Could not collect taxes Can’t raise money All States had own currency Bankrupt in 1786 State money = other state money? “The Making of the Constitution.” www.socialstudiesforkids.com. Social Studies for Kida, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Alancleaver_2000, Piggy Bank, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution

5. Protection Problems Weak military No navy Lacks support States had local militias Kelly, Martin. “Why did the Articles of Confederation Fail?” americanhistory.about.com. About.com, n.d. Web.25 Feb.2011 Sean Hackbarth, Revolutionary War Reenactors, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution

6. Trade Problems States taxed other states goods Bad feelings between north and south Decline in trade Little respect from other nations Linder, Doug. “The Constitutional Convention of 1787.” Law2.umkc.edu. The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Jessica Burmann, DSC7319, 2/27/22, Attribution and Non Commercial

7. The Call for a Convention Revise the Articles of Confederation Make the government stronger Kelly, Martin. “Why did the Articles of Confederation Fail?” americanhistory.about.com. About.com, n.d. Web.25 Feb.2011 Wallyg, Philidelphia- Independence Hall, 2/27/11, Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs

8. Where and When? Held in Philadelphia Nations capital Independence Hall Convention started on May 25, 1787 Constitution signed September 17, 1787 Ratified June 21, 1788 Mount, Steve. “The Convention Timeline.” www.usconstitution.net. U.S. Constitution Online, 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Digitonin, Independence Hall, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution and No Derivative Works

9. Who was there? 12 of 13 states attended Rhode Island did not come 70 invited- 55 attended Ages 26-81 All men Met in secret Linder, Doug. “The Constitutional Convention of 1787.” Law2.umkc.edu. The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Kurt Magoon, Independence Hall,2/27/11, Attribution-ShareAlike

10. Leaders of the convention George Washington From Virginia President of convention Commander of Continental Army 1st President Alexander Hamilton From New York Active in the ratification of Constitution Secretary of Treasury Cliff1066, George Washington, First President, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution Marion Doss, Alexander Hamilton, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution, Share Alike “The Founding Fathers: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention.” www.archives.gov. National Archives, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2011.

11. James Madison From Virginia Father of the Constitution Federalist Papers Benjamin Franklin From Pennsylvania Oldest member Very respected U.S. Department of State, James Madison, 2/27/11, United States Government Work MCS@flickr, Benjamin Franklin, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution and No Derivative Works “The Founding Fathers: Delegates to the Constitutional Convention.” www.archives.gov. National Archives, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2011.

12. The Decision for a New Constitution Articles had many things wrong with it Could not be fixed Some states would not have attended Mount, Steve. “The Constutional Topic: The Annapolis Conference.” www.usconstitution.net. U.S. Constitution Online, 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Diablodale, Liberty Bell, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution and No Derivative Works

13. Disagreements over the Constitution How it was set up representation Small states vs. big states Rosie O’Beirne, Stock Photo of the Consitution of the United States and Feather Quill, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution and No Derivative Works Linder, Doug. “The Constitutional Convention of 1787.” Law2.umkc.edu. The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2011.

14. Which Were Which? Big States Small States Virginia Pennsylvania North Carolina Massachutes Maryland New York South Carolina New Jersey New Hampshire Georgia Rhode Island Delaware Connecticut Merrill, Deane. “Estimated Population of American Colonies 1630-1780: Source Bureau of Census.” merrill.oln.net, n.p, 1998. Web. 25 Feb. 2011.

15. Virginia Plan Proposed by Edmund Randolph House elected by the people Senate elected by state legislatures Both represented proportionally Mount, Steve. “Constitutional Topic: Madison and the Virginia Plan.” www.usconstitution.net. U.S. Constitution Online, 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Peter Fitzgerald, State Capital building, 2/27/11, Attribution-ShareAlike

16. New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Paterson One house Every state had same representation Mount, Steve. “Constitutional Topic: Paterson and the New Jersey Plan.” www.usconstitution.net. U.S. Constitution Online, 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Jimmywayne, New Jersey State Capital, 2/27/11, Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs

17. The Great Compromise Also know as the Connecticut Compromise House of Representatives elected by people Based on population Senate is elected by state legislatures 2 from each state Longley, Robert. “The Great Compromise of 1787: A Congress Created.” Usgovinfo.about.com. About.com. n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. “Direct Election of Senators.” www.senate.gov. United States Senate, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Diabblodale, Continental Congress, 2/27,11, No Creative Commons Attribution and No Derivative Works

18. 3/5 Compromise 3 of 5 slaves counted for population Representation Taxes South wanted them to be 1 Same as the Articles of Confederation Okinawa Soba, SLAVES, EX-SLAVES, and CHILDREN OF SLAVES IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH, 2/27/11, Creative Commons Attribution, Share Alike Mount, Steve. “Constitutional Topic: The Problem of Slavery.” www.usconstitution.net. U.S. Constitution Online, 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2011.

19. What did we Learn? Articles of Confederation were weak Constitutional Convention is called Constitution written Arguments over representation and slaves The Great Compromise and 3/5 Compromise “The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.” www.earlyamerica.com. Archiving Early America, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. Kelly, Martin. “Why did the Articles of Confederation Fail?” americanhistory.about.com. About.com, n.d. Web.25 Feb.2011 Mount, Steve. “Constitutional Topic: Madison and the Virginia Plan.” www.usconstitution.net. U.S. Constitution Online, 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Jcoleman, American Flag, 2/27/11, Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs