Articles of Confederation

What was the Great Compromise?

Eventually, the delegates came to a compromise. They agreed to create a Congress that had two houses. One house, the Senate, would give each state equal number of representatives in Congress, while the other house, the House of Representatives, would give a certain number of representatives to each state based on their population.

What was Shay's rebellion?

In Massachusetts, a former soldier named Daniel Shays led 1,100 men who took up their guns and tried to stop the courts from taking people's property. Shays wanted the government to give the farmers time to pay their debts. Their fight against the government became known as Shays Rebellion.

Why did delegates gather in Philadelphia in the spring of 1787?

In May, 1787, delegates from 12 of the 13 states met in Philadelphia (Rhode Island was the only state that did not send a delegate). Their task was to improve the Articles of Confederation, but they ended up writing an entirely new document.

What did Shays rebellion prove about the new government?

Shays Rebellion proved that the government was weak under the Articles of Confederation. More people started to demand a stronger central government with a strong military as well.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Southern delegates wanted slaves to count as part of the state's population. This would give these states more representatives in Congress. Northern states felt this was unfair because slaves were treated as property, not citizens. This bitter disagreement led to another compromise. The Three-Fifths Rule counted fives slaves as three free people.

Why did small states create the New Jersey Plan?

This plan gave each state one vote so that all states would have the same power, no matter their size.

What was the Virginia Plan?

it supported a strong national, or federal, government and a republic where citizens would elect their own leaders. The the national government has three branches. The legislative branch would make laws. The executive branch would carry out the laws. The judicial branch would settle legal disagreements over the meaning of the laws. The number of representatives each state received in Congress is based on the state's population. Larger states would get more votes in Congress and the smaller states would get less

What was the government?

it was weak

Who had all the power?

the states