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?