#AP US History Study Guide: Creating the Constitution 📜

Hey there, future AP US History master! Let's break down the creation of the Constitution. We'll make sure you're not just memorizing dates, but understanding the why behind it all. Let's get started!

#The Road to the Constitution: Fixing the Articles of Confederation 🛠️

• The Articles of Confederation were weak, leading to a need for a stronger central government. Think of it like a car with a wobbly wheel – it's not going to get you very far! 🚗

• Key Issues:

  • Lack of central authority
  • Inability to enforce laws
  • Economic instability

#The Annapolis Convention (1786) 📍

• A meeting to discuss the problems with the Articles.
• Only five states showed up, but they agreed a bigger meeting was needed. Think of it as a small group of friends realizing they need to call in the whole squad! 🤝

#The Constitutional Convention (1787) 🏛️

• 55 delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island was a no-show). Imagine a room full of the smartest people you know, all trying to solve a huge puzzle! 🧩
• They met in Philadelphia for 4 months of intense debate. It was like a pressure cooker in there! 🥵
• They ended up creating a whole new framework for government: The Constitution. 💡

#Delegates to the Constitutional Convention assembled, argued, and finally agreed in this room, styled in the same manner as during the Convention. Photograph of the Assembly Room, Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Image Courtesy of Wikimedia. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.

#Debates and Compromises: Balancing Power 💪⚖️

• The big question: How to balance power between states? It was like trying to make sure everyone got a fair slice of pizza! 🍕

#The Virginia Plan 🏛️

• Proposed by James Madison and Edmund Randolph.
• Favored larger states.
• Bicameral legislature (two houses).
  • Both houses based on population. More people = more power! 📈
• Strong national government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Think of it as a well-oiled machine. ⚙️

#Image Courtesy of HowStuffWorks

#The New Jersey Plan 🗽

• Proposed by William Paterson.
• Favored smaller states.
• Unicameral legislature (one house).
  • Each state gets equal representation. Everyone gets a voice, no matter their size! 🗣️
• Limited national government. Think of it as a small, local government. 🏘️

#The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) 🤝

• Proposed by Roger Sherman.
• Combined the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. The best of both worlds! 🌎
• Bicameral legislature:
  • House of Representatives: Based on population (Virginia Plan).
  • Senate: Equal representation (2 senators per state) (New Jersey Plan). ⚖️

#The Three-Fifths Compromise 🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑

• How to count enslaved people for representation and taxation? A very sensitive issue! 😥
• Each enslaved person counted as three-fifths of a person. This was a deeply flawed compromise that highlighted the moral contradictions of the time. 💔

#Image Courtesy of Nigerian Scholars

#Ending the Slave Trade 🚢

• The Constitution prohibited Congress from ending the international slave trade until 1808. It was like kicking the can down the road on a major issue. ⏳
• In 1807, Congress banned the importation of enslaved people, but slavery itself continued. A step forward, but not the end of the journey. 🚶

#The Electoral College 🗳️

• A system for electing the president. It's a bit complicated, but bear with me!
• Each state gets electors based on its representation in Congress. Think of it as a weighted voting system. ⚖️
• The candidate with a majority of electoral votes wins. It's not always the candidate with the most popular votes! 🤯

#Image Courtesy of Election Reformers Network

Understanding the compromises is crucial for the AP exam. They show the tensions and debates during the founding of the US.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
  • Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan
  • Great Compromise
  • Three-Fifths Compromise
  • Electoral College
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice: Testing knowledge of specific plans and compromises.
  • Short Answer: Explaining the impact of the compromises.
  • Free Response: Analyzing the debates and their significance.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on one question.
  • Common Pitfalls: Don't confuse the different plans or compromises.
  • Strategies: Read the questions carefully and plan your answers.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation? (A) It gave too much power to the states. (B) It lacked a strong central government. (C) It had a powerful executive branch. (D) It was too easy to amend.

2. The Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention resolved the issue of: (A) The counting of enslaved people for representation. (B) The balance of power between large and small states. (C) The method of electing the president. (D) The regulation of interstate commerce.

3. The Three-Fifths Compromise dealt with the issue of: (A) The importation of enslaved people. (B) The representation of states in the Senate. (C) The counting of enslaved people for representation. (D) The division of powers between the states and the federal government.

#Free Response Question

Analyze the major debates and compromises that shaped the creation of the United States Constitution. In your response, be sure to address the following:

• The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the Constitutional Convention.
• The key differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.
• The significance of the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Weaknesses of the Articles (2 points): Identification and explanation of at least two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
• Virginia and New Jersey Plans (2 points): Explanation of the key differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.
• Great Compromise (2 points): Explanation of the Great Compromise and its significance.
• Three-Fifths Compromise (2 points): Explanation of the Three-Fifths Compromise and its significance.
• Synthesis (1 point): Connects the debates and compromises to broader historical themes or developments.

You've got this! Remember, the Constitution wasn't made in a day, and it wasn't made without a lot of arguments. But that's what makes it so important. Now go ace that exam! 🎉