After the Revolution

After the Revolution

1. Problems with the Articles of Confederation

   • Could not collect taxes
   • No law enforcement
     • Only states had militias
     • Shay Rebellion
   • Could not regulate commerce
     • State tariffs
     • No federal courts
     • No Executive Branch

2. Constitutional Convention of 1787

   • Summer of 1787
     • Rhode Island did not attend
     • Charged to revise Articles

3. Two Plans for Contiution

   • Virginia Plan
     • Strong central government
       • Three branches of government
       • Separation of powers
       • Checks and balances
     • Bicameral system
       • Two houses of government
       • Based on English Parliament
   • New Jersey Plan
     • Similar bicameral plan
     • Representation equal for states in Congress
     • Each state gets one vote in Congress
   • The Compromise
     • Representation in Congress
       • House of Representation based on population
       • Senate has two member per state
     • Slavery
       • Would be dealt with in 50 years after ratification
       • Three-Fifths Compromise for counting of representation

4. Ratifying the Constitution

   • Each state have ratification convention
   • Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists
   • Process of approving something by a vote

5. About the Authors

   • James Madison
     • "Father of the Constituion"
     • Virginia Plan Author
   • Gouverneur Morris
     • Most Active Debater
     • Distrusted common people, wanted strong government
   • Alexander Hamilton
     • Less influence of writing Constitution
     • Helped ratify in New York
   • William Paterson
     • Anti-Federalist
     • Author of New Jersey Plan
   • Roger Sherman
     • Created Compromise