Confederation to Constitution

1. Confederation to Constitution Chapter 8

2. Articles of Confederation The Confederation created a loose association of 13 independent states, NOT 13 United States

3. Articles of ConfederationStrengths • Governed the nation during the American Revolution • Created Treaty of Paris 1783 at the end of the war • Created Northwest Ordinance 1787

4. Articles of ConfederationWeaknesses • NO power to enforce laws • NO power to tax, regulate trade, or settle disputed of land. (Only states has these powers.) • BOTH national government AND each state was allowed to coin (make)it’s own type money. • That is 14 different currencies!

5. Articles of ConfederationWeaknesses (cont’d.) • NO national court system • NO chief executive (president) • NO national army or navy • One State = One Vote in Congress • Required ALL 13 to pass amendments

6. Articles of Confederation In the text box, answer the following question. Q: What do you think was the greatest strength and weakness of the Articles of Confederation? Why? A:

7. What to do…? What to do…? Remember the Proclamation of 1763? After the first Treaty of Paris (1763), the Proclamation of 1763 stated that Colonists could not settle west of the Appalachian Mountains because it was too expensive to continue fighting with the Natives. Then… The Treaty of Paris 1783 gave all land east of the Mississippi River to the United States Now the Confederation is faced with what to do with the Western lands it now controls. How will it be divided? Who will govern it?

8. Northwest Ordinance (1787) • Created rules for the new territory to become future states. • Each had to have 60,000 free citizens to become a state • Outlined settlers rights

9. A groupof about 1,500farmers led by Daniel Shays rebelled against the government because of high debt and high state taxes. • They marched on a federal arsenal being defended by 900 state militia soldiers. • The farmers were quickly defeated BUT they won the sympathy of many. • America’s leaders realized that an armed uprising of common farmers spelled DANGER for the nation. (Remember, there is NO national gov’t or army under the Articles of Confederation.) • This forced those in charge to look at our system of government.

11. FYI: • Shay and his followers were captured. • A dozen (or so) were sentenced to death. • Two of the rebels were hung for looting, but all the others, including Shay, were pardoned.

13. Oh! Oh! It’s magic… Magic Date: 1787 CONSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN

14. Constitutional Convention 1787 • May 25, 1787 • Constitution was written; James Madison “Father of the Constitution” • Caused by Shay’s Rebellion • This is where our Founding Fathers got together to discuss problems with the government established after we won the American Revolution. • Instead of revising the AOC, they ended up writing a totally NEW system of government…which we still use today.

15. Issues to Debate • How do we create a new government? • Should we create a STRONG or a WEAK Federal Government? • (We saw how no central gov’t didn’t work with the AOC) • Will the new gov’t continue to be: 1 state = 1 vote? Or will it be based on population? • We know we need a central gov’t with more power and we need 3 (mostly) equal branches. • The states will still want to keep their power for themselves… • What will we do about the slavery issue…?

17. Virginia Plan • 3 Branches of Government • Legislative Branch would have 2 Houses • Houses based upon population • BIG states want to be represented based on population. AKA: BIG State Plan

18. New Jersey Plan • Legislative Branch would have ONE house • House will have: • “1 State = 1 Vote” • Supported by SMALL states (Ex. Delaware and Maryland) because they want every state to have EQUAL representation. AKA: Small State Plan

19. Great Compromise • 3 Branches of Government • (Bicameral) 2 Houses in Legislative Branch • Senate will be based upon equality: 2 Senators per state • House of Representative will be based upon Population

20. Q: Well…What about slaves?

21. How will slaves affect taxes and population? North (Idea) • Slaves should count for taxation • Slaves = Property • Slaves should NOT count as citizens for Representation

22. How will slaves affect taxes and population? South (Idea) • Slaves should NOT count for taxation • Slaves SHOULD count for the population

23. 3/5ths Compromise • Because the issue of slavery was preventing the ratification (approval) of the Constitution, the delegates came up with yet another compromise. • In the 3/5ths Compromise, slaves will count as 3/5ths of a person when setting taxes and representation • 5 slaves = 3 free people • Although a compromise is reached, the North and South still do not agree on the issue of slavery.

25. Federalist vs. Antifederalist Federalists • Debated for ratification • They wanted: • Strong Central Government • Powerful Executive Branch • To ratify the document (Constitution) AS WRITTEN • Supporters include: • James Madison • Alexander Hamilton • John Jay They wrote and published essays called the Federalist Papers to help support ratification.

26. Federalist vs. Antifederalist Anti - Federalists • Against ratification • They wanted: • Wanted stronger states (states’ rights) • More people’s rights • Demanded Bill of Rights be added to protect the people from the Government • Supporters include: • Patrick Henry • George Mason They thought that the constitution didn’t do enough to ensure the people’s rights.

27. Quick Activity • With your shoulder partner, each of you needs to choose a point of view (Federalists or Anti Federalists). • Using the information in your chart above and your prior knowledge, come up with an argument as to why your point of view is the “better” opinion. • Use the space provided on your notes to write your side to the story. • Each partner will have 60 seconds to argue their point.

28. Bill of Rights • Anti Federalists DEMANDED the addition of these in order to protect the American people from the government and would not ratify the Constitution until it was finished. • 10 Amendments were added to the constitution • These amendments gave certain rights specifically to the people of the US and to the states.

29. Bill of Rights 1st: Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. 2nd: Right to bear arms 3rd: No quartering of troops! 4th: Protects from unreasonable searches and seizures 5th: Right to due process of law and freedom from double jeopardy and self incrimination.

30. Bill of Rights (cont’d) 6th: Right to a speedy trial 7th: Right to a trial by jury in all civil cases 8th: No excessive bail and no cruel or unusual punishment. 9th: People have unnamed rights like the right to privacy. 10th: Individual states and the people are given powers not granted to the federal government. (SETS UP FEDERALISM)

31. How the grievances in the DOI were addressed in the new government…

32. Ratifying the Constitution • The states each hold conventions to vote on whether or not to ratify the Constitution. • The first states ratify (approve) it in December 1787. • The last state doesn’t ratify the constitution until 1790! • Now, the British Colonies are officially The UNITED States of America!