Events that lead to the Constitution

• Declaration of Independence

  • Clearly explains the type of government the people wanted

  • feared that the government could become corrupt

  • supports democracy

  • government for the people

• Articles of Confederation

  • feared a too-strong government, so this was weak; legislative government

  • government for the people

  • influenced by the enlightenment

  • separation of power

• Shay’s Rebellion

  • Farmers rebelled

  • alarmed states that they might need a stronger central government

  • taxes raised in MA

• Constitutional Convention

  • sent delegates to revise the AOC

  • 1787 in Philly

  • Washington, Franklin, Hamilton, and Madison

• Land Ordinance

  • sold land to make money for the government

  • 1785

  • used to fund public education

  • divided into townships

  • establish democratic communities

• Northwestern Ordinance

  • complements land ordinance

  • divided into territories

  • provided an orderly process to becoming a state

  • required public education and slavery wasn’t allowed

• VA/NJ Plan

  • James Madison- the father of the constitution; VA plan with strong central government and three branches

  • Randolph/Madison- big states plan- representation based on population

  • New Jersey plan- William Patterson; unicameral house; equal votes

• Feds vs Antifeds

  • Federalists- supported the ratification, stronger federal government

    • Patrick Henry, James Winthrop, Melancton Smith, and George Mason

  • Antifederalists- opposed the constitution, states should have more power

    • John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Rufus King, John Marshall, Timothy Pickering, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Articles 1- creates a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives (legislative)

Articles 2- Executive Branch

Articles 3- Judicial Branch

1787- Constitutional Convention

1788- Constitution Ratified