Why was there a need for a new government in

1787?

State governments

The First American

Government

The Articles of Confederation

– the first American constitution(a framework for a government) –

confederation - a loose alliance of states with a weak central

government

What worked under the Articles?

Victory in the Revolution

The Treaty of Paris

Settlement of Western Lands

The Articles of Confederation

ProblemsNational gov’t had no power over the states –

states didn’t have to follow national agreements or resolutions

No national executive, no national judicial branch

Could not tax – could only ask for money, and states didn’t have to pay

The Articles of Confederation

ProblemsEvery state had its own currency – yikes!

9/13 to pass a law – tough!

13/13 to amend the Articles

Could not regulate interstate trade or relations between states

Foreign countries weren’t respecting the new government

The Mount Vernon Conference

The Annapolis Convention

Shays’ Rebellion

An invitation …

THE THE FEDERAL FEDERAL

CONVENTIOCONVENTIONN

May, 1787

PENNSYLVANIA STATE HOUSE

Who?74 delegates from 12 states were chosen

55 attended at one time or

another

Who were “The Framers”?Most of the 55 delegates knew and respected each

other 3 had been at the Stamp Act Congress, 1765

8 had signed the Declaration of Independence42 had served in the First and/or Second Continental

Congresses, and/or the Confederation Congress30 fought in the Revolutionary War

2 would be US Presidents, 1 would be a Vice President

7 had been governors, 9 would be governors8 were judges; 2 would be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

2 were college presidents29 were college graduates

34 had practiced law20 helped write their state's constitutions

18 had worked or studied abroad - many were fluent in Latin, French, and other languages

Most were prosperous lawyers, businessmen, and plantation owners

Average age – 42

Who were “The Framers”?

WHY?

“for the sole and express purpose of revising the

Articles of Confederation”