Objective:
Warm-up:
Simulation Instructions:
- Each state delegation casts one vote, determined by the majority within each group.
- If the majority of delegates from a state do not agree with a resolution, they may attempt to block passage by "requesting" a letter from their state legislature recalling them all back to their state. In this case they do not get to vote on the resolution, but two-thirds of the state delegations—whether they are "present" or not - must still approve the resolution in order for it to pass.
- 5 of 7 states (or two-thirds, if more than 7 states are in play) must agree in order to pass a resolution to make a treaty, raise money, or borrow money. 4 of 7 states (or a simple majority, if more than 7 states are in play) must agree for all other resolutions.
- All requisitions for funds will be paid by the states in proportion to one of the following (depending on which resolution is introduced):
- Land Value (as indicated on State Delegate Cards).
- Population (as indicated on State Delegate Cards)
- Annual State Wealth (as indicated on State Delegate Cards)
- For resolutions that tax or otherwise affect imported or exported goods, students should be aware of the Import/Export ratio listed on their state delegate card. The first number represents imports, the second number represents exports. Those states with a lower first number export many more goods than they import. For example, a state with an Import/Export ratio of 1:10 exports ten times as many goods than it imports. Those states with a higher first number rely more on imported goods than those with a lower first number. For example, a state with an Import/Export ratio of 10:10 imports the same amount of goods as it exports.
Resolutions:
Resolution #2: A requisition to raise $500,000 in revenue from the states to pay soldiers’ pensions and back-pay still owed from the Revolutionary War. Each state will pay its proportion based on population.
Resolution #3: A requisition to raise $750,000 in revenue from the states to pay for supplies to the army and to build three new U.S. naval ships. Each state will pay its proportion based on land value.
Resolution #4: A bill to levy an import tax on certain farm goods to pay for construction of a road connecting Pennsylvania and Virginia. The road is meant to make trade and commerce easier between Northern and Southern states. For every $100 of cattle, rice, indigo and grain imported into any state (whether from another state or a foreign country), a $5 tax will be collected.
Resolution #5: A bill to levy an export tax on tobacco to fund the building of four new U.S. military posts in the Western territories. For every $100 of tobacco exported from any state, a $5 tax will be collected.