random fact of the day

Random Fact of the DayRandom Fact of the Day• Too much coffee can kill you. A Too much coffee can kill you. A

lethal dose of caffeine for the lethal dose of caffeine for the average adult is somewhere around average adult is somewhere around 10 grams, the equivalent of drinking 10 grams, the equivalent of drinking between 50 and 200 cups in rapid between 50 and 200 cups in rapid succession.succession.

Chapter 3, Section 2Chapter 3, Section 2“The Road to the “The Road to the

Constitution” (pages 72-78)Constitution” (pages 72-78)

Main Idea: Main Idea: In 1787, delegates gathered to In 1787, delegates gathered to address the weaknesses of the address the weaknesses of the Articles, but they decided that a new Articles, but they decided that a new Constitution was needed.Constitution was needed.

I.I. The Philadelphia ConventionThe Philadelphia Convention

A.A. Each state except Rhode Island Each state except Rhode Island sent delegates to Philadelphia.sent delegates to Philadelphia.

B.B. Most of the 55 men were well- Most of the 55 men were well-educated and experienced in educated and experienced in politics. politics.

***Native Americans, African Americans, ***Native Americans, African Americans, and women were and women were NOTNOT included.*** included.***

******Among the 55 delegates: Among the 55 delegates:

1.1. Eight had signed the Declaration of Eight had signed the Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

2.2. Seven had been governors of their Seven had been governors of their statesstates

3.3. Forty-one had been previous Forty-one had been previous members of the Continental members of the Continental Congress. ***Congress. ***

The “Liberty Bell”

- Philadelphia, PA-

C.C. Ben Franklin was the oldest delegate Ben Franklin was the oldest delegate at age 81. He was a diplomat, at age 81. He was a diplomat, writer, inventor, and scientist.writer, inventor, and scientist.

Ben Ben FranklinFranklin

D.D. Two delegates would later become Two delegates would later become president.president.

– George WashingtonGeorge Washington– James MadisonJames Madison

******Thomas Jefferson and John Adams Thomas Jefferson and John Adams could not attend. They were in could not attend. They were in Europe as representatives to the U.S. Europe as representatives to the U.S. Government.*** Government.***

II. II. Creating the ConstitutionCreating the Constitution

A.A. The delegates chose George The delegates chose George Washington to preside over the Washington to preside over the convention.convention.

B.B. Washington then chose a Washington then chose a committee to set rules for committee to set rules for conducting the convention.conducting the convention.

C.C. The committee decided that The committee decided that decisions would be made by majority decisions would be made by majority vote, with each state having one vote, with each state having one vote. vote. ***Delegates agreed to ***Delegates agreed to keep all discussions secret.***keep all discussions secret.***

Independence Hall- Philadelphia, PAIndependence Hall- Philadelphia, PA

D.D. No formal records were kept. No formal records were kept. ***Most of what we do know ***Most of what we do know came from James Madison’s came from James Madison’s personal notebook of events.***personal notebook of events.***

James Madison and his diary from the convention

E.E. The delegates, instead of revising The delegates, instead of revising the Articles, decided to completely the Articles, decided to completely discard them and write a new discard them and write a new constitution. constitution.

F.F. This meeting became known as the This meeting became known as the Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention..

G. G. Virginia PlanVirginia Plan-1787-17871. Created by James Madison1. Created by James Madison

2. Called for government with 3 2. Called for government with 3 branchesbranches

a. Legislative Branch (lawmakers)a. Legislative Branch (lawmakers)

b. Executive Branch (carry out laws)b. Executive Branch (carry out laws)

c. Judicial Branch (interpret laws)c. Judicial Branch (interpret laws)

3. Legislature would have two houses; 3. Legislature would have two houses; states would be represented based states would be represented based on the population of each state. on the population of each state.

***More populated states = more ***More populated states = more power!***power!***

H. H. New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan-- 1787 1787

1. Created by William Patterson1. Created by William Patterson

2. Also called for 3 branches of 2. Also called for 3 branches of governmentgovernment

3. Legislature would have one house 3. Legislature would have one house and each state gets 1 vote.and each state gets 1 vote.

4. This plan would give equal power 4. This plan would give equal power to large to large ANDAND small states! small states!

5. Larger states 5. Larger states did notdid not like this plan! like this plan!

I. For six weeks, delegates fiercely I. For six weeks, delegates fiercely debated both plans.debated both plans.

J. Sherman’s committee proposed a J. Sherman’s committee proposed a SenateSenate and a and a House of House of Representatives.Representatives.

***Each state would have equal ***Each state would have equal representation in the Senate. representation in the Senate. Representation in the House Representation in the House would be based on would be based on population.***population.***

K. The delegates accepted this plan = K. The delegates accepted this plan = THE GREAT COMPROMISETHE GREAT COMPROMISE

***Southern states wanted to take ***Southern states wanted to take advantage of enslaved African advantage of enslaved African Americans and count them as part of Americans and count them as part of their population determining their population determining representation in the House. representation in the House. Northern states opposed!***Northern states opposed!***

L. L. This led to the This led to the Three-Fifths Three-Fifths CompromiseCompromise. (550,000 slaves). (550,000 slaves)

M. M. 3/5 Compromise3/5 Compromise- Delegates - Delegates agreed that every 5 slaves would agreed that every 5 slaves would count as three free persons when count as three free persons when determining congressional determining congressional representation and taxes. representation and taxes.

N.N. Northern states wanted Congress to Northern states wanted Congress to be able to regulate all trade.be able to regulate all trade.

O.O. Southern states feared Congress Southern states feared Congress would then tax their exports and stop would then tax their exports and stop slave trade. slave trade.

P.P. Delegates disagreed on whether Delegates disagreed on whether Congress or the voters should choose Congress or the voters should choose the president. The solution was called the president. The solution was called the the Electoral College.Electoral College.

Q. Q. Electoral CollegeElectoral College-- A group of A group of people who are picked to elect the people who are picked to elect the President. President.

III. III. Balancing ViewpointsBalancing Viewpoints

A.A. Ratification required at least 9/13 Ratification required at least 9/13 statesstates

B.B. There were There were 22 main groups. main groups.

1.1. FederalistsFederalists- - Supporters of the new Supporters of the new Constitution. They believed in Constitution. They believed in Federalism.Federalism.

i.i. FederalismFederalism- - form of form of government in government in which power is which power is divided between the divided between the national national government and the states. government and the states.

2.2.Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists- - Opposed new Opposed new Constitution. Wanted more power Constitution. Wanted more power to the states. Also, wanted a Bill of to the states. Also, wanted a Bill of Rights.Rights.

C.C. Both ended up agreeing to add Both ended up agreeing to add Bill Bill of Rightsof Rights. .

D.D. The Constitution took effect when The Constitution took effect when New Hampshire became the 9th New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify it!state to ratify it!

Mini Quiz!!! Mini Quiz!!! Diddy- Missing YouDiddy- Missing You 1.1. The New Jersey Plan favored which states? The New Jersey Plan favored which states?

Virginia Plan?Virginia Plan?2.2. What was the Great Compromise?What was the Great Compromise?3.3. Did the 3/5 Compromise help the northern or Did the 3/5 Compromise help the northern or

southern states?southern states?4.4. Which group supported the new Constitution? Which group supported the new Constitution?

Federalists or Anti-Federalists?Federalists or Anti-Federalists?5.5. The addition of this finally led the anti-federalists The addition of this finally led the anti-federalists

to approving the new constitution.to approving the new constitution.6. What state was not present at the Constitutional 6. What state was not present at the Constitutional

Convention?Convention?8. How many delegates attended the meeting?8. How many delegates attended the meeting?9. Who was the oldest delegate?9. Who was the oldest delegate?10. Who presided over the convention?10. Who presided over the convention?