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The Early Government . 1781-1803. Ok…so we won the revolution…. Now what????. The Critical Period (1781-1788). Why are these years so critical to the survival of America?. The problem with Revolutions…. Citizens and leaders are killed Some leaders take over with extreme ideas
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The Early Government 1781-1803
Ok…so we won the revolution…. Now what????
The Critical Period (1781-1788) • Why are these years so critical to the survival of America?
The problem with Revolutions…. • Citizens and leaders are killed • Some leaders take over with extreme ideas • Everyone and everything is destroyed that the extreme leaders do not agree with
Why is America so different? • Separated from its tension by an ocean • More like a war than chaos • Founders and the citizens don’t fragment and kill each other • Got to work as soon as war was over • Shared the common goal for the new government and all cooperated
How will we create our new government? • Ideas come from: • Ancient Greece and Rome • Republicanism • Enlightenment philosophy • Continental Congress debates 3 big questions • How will the people be represented? • What role will the national government play? • How do we deal with Western land settlement?
1. Representation under the AOC • Each state had 1 vote • 2 levels of government • State were powerful in some matters • National government were powerful in some matters • An alliance between state and national government • Divided power/responsibility
3. Western Lands:a. Land Ordinance of 1785 Plan used to survey newly acquired land.
b. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • Created territories • Set up requirements for admission of new states • Congress appointed governor • Needed 5000 voting inhabitants to appoint own governor • Needed 60,000 free inhabitants to write state constitution and apply for statehood
Rebellion & Convention • Shay’s Rebellion • Daniel Shay leads rebellion of angry farmers • Disgruntled over creditors, he wishes to close courts • What does this demonstrate about National Government? • Effect • Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia) • More states participate in convention as result of Shay’s Rebellion
AOC & Constitution Comparison • Working with a partner, complete the Comparison chart • Answer the following questions: • Identify 2 major flaws of the Articles of Confederation • Describe 2-3 major changes the Constitution made to correct these flaws. • Why is the Constitution consider a “living document”?
Problems Arise • Economic • Issue of Taxation • Needed to resolve war debt • Political • AOC needed a unanimous vote to pass anything (1 state could stall process) • Foreign Relations • Central gov’t too weak to fight foreign countries when conflict arises (Britain & Spain)
New Government • Federalism • Divided power between national and state • Democratic-Republic • People elect representatives
Constitution Ratification: official approval States hold own conventions to determine if they ratify 9/13 states needed to ratify Federalists – Supported Constitution Anti-Federalists – Opposed Constitution
State Representation • Great Compromise • Combination of Virginia & New Jersey Plans • Big States v. Small States • Creation of the 2 house Congress • Senate: Equal Representation • House of Rep: Population determines #
Compromise on Population • 3/5 Compromise • Question as to whether slaves counted towards states population • 3/5 of state’s slaves counted
Separation of Powers • Legislative Branch • Makes Laws • Congress (Senate & House of Rep.) • Judicial Branch • Interpret Laws • Supreme Court • Executive Branch • Carry out Laws • President
Electoral College • # Senators + # House of Representatives= # of Electors • Framers did not trust people to directly elect president • Today: • 538 total votes; 270 needed to win • 27 states require by law Electoral College to vote according to popular vote • 23 states do not have any laws, but typically follow the popular vote
Constitutional Analysis Federalist Viewpoint Anti-federalist Viewpoint
Bill of Rights Added in 1791 10 amendments (pg 149) Guarantee citizens certain rights & freedoms Addition was essential for ratification of Constitution in some states