The Constitution By Nathan Barr

The Articles of Confederation

•There was also no federal court system

The Critical Period

• America had huge war debts, and used their “real money” to pay them.

• Paper money was almost worthless, because most of it was not backed by real things like gold or silver.

Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787 at the Old Courthouse which was later renamed Independence Hall.

The Great CompromiseStates with small populations argued with states that had large populations over

representation. They agreed to split the Legislative Branch into two houses.

Senate • Every state would have two

Senators. • Each state has equal

representation.

House of Representatives • Representation is based on

population. • States with more people

have more representatives than states with less people.

George Washington

• Represented Virginia • Chosen to be the

leader of the convention.

• He was later elected the first president of the United States.

James Madison• Also represented Virginia • Wrote everything that

happened at the convention down

• Is known as the “Father of the Constitution”

• Wrote some of the Federalist Papers

Benjamin Franklin

• Represented Pennsylvania • Funny, smart, and people

liked him • He was able to help people

to get along • It was his idea to pray at

the beginning of each day’s work

AlexanderHamilton

• Represented New York• Would become America’s first

Secretary of the Treasury • Would start the first national

bank • Would create a federal

currency (money) • Wrote 51 of the 85 Federalist

Papers• Supported Jefferson for

president in 1800 against Aaron Burr

• Killed in a duel with Burr after accusing Burr of treason

Who was absent?

Thomas Jefferson was in France. John Adams was in England.

The Branches of Government