Divided the Northwest Territory into smaller territories.

5000 adult males=could elect a legislature.

Population of 60,000, could apply to be a state.•Promotes equality—not colonies

Country could expand and settle territories won from British.

Paper money printed was worthless. Farmers lost their farms and livestock over

taxes. War debt from Rev. War. Daniel Shay led a rebellion against

courthouses, destroyed records went to national arsenal at Springfield, Mass.

Congress unable to stop them. Americans thought the country was falling

apart.

Call for convention in 1787• Why?: To fix the Articles of Confederation• Where?: Philadelphia—Independence Hall• When?: Summer 1787 (May-Sept.)

55 delegates from 12 states. Avg. Age 42 James Madison—Father of the Constitution

• Arrives early with plan, note taker• Bright, quiet, studied governments

George Washington—President of the Convention• Civic duty

Ben Franklin—Oldest (81)• Teaches compromise

Alexander Hamilton—Loves Federal Govt.• Strong central government

Patrick Henry• “I smell a rat.”

Rhode Island Thomas Jefferson

• France John Adams

• England Sam Adams & John Hancock

• Fear strong central government

1. Secrecy. 2. No vote is final. 3. Notes secret for 30 years.

Strong Central Government 3 Branches of Govt.

• Executive Branch: Leader• Judicial Branch: Courts (National/Federal)• Legislative Branch: Lawmakers

Two House (Bicameral) Legislature• Upper House—Senate• Lower House—House of Representatives

Proportional RepresentationMore people = more representation

3 Branches: Legislative, Executive & Judicial

Legislative Branch 1 House, not 2 Equal Representation—all states

equal

Saves Convention• “Great Compromise)• 3 branches, 2 houses (bicameral)

Two houses• Upper House—Senate—Equal

Representation• Lower House—House of Representatives—

Proportional Representation

Every slave counts as 3/5 a person for both representation and taxes.

Slave Trade• Congress will leave slave trade alone until

1808.

9 of 13 states needed (2/3) Anti-Federalists:

• Dislike strong federal government, oppose the Constitution.

• Want individual rights protected (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).

Federalists:• Like Constitution/support a strong central

government.• Federalists Papers: Series of essays

explaining how good the Constitution is, (John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison)

• Agree to add a Bill of Rights after ratification.