The Critical Period

1. The Critical Period The Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution

2. Declaration of Rights and Grievances • 1st Continental Congress • Wrote Declaration of Rights and Grievances • Addressed it to King George III • Brainstorm 5 grievances against “adult-archy” • They must be school appropriate • They can be against adults, school, teachers • Be nice….

3. 2nd Continental Congress • British refused to repeal taxes • Reacted with stricter measures • Each of the colonies sent representatives • Became our first government • Rested on no constitutional base • Condemned by the British

4. Accomplishments of Congress • Fought a war • Raised armies and a navy • Selected George Washington as Commander of army • Borrowed funds • Bought supplies • Created a money system • Made treaties with foreign powers (France) • Although not a permanent solution, the Congress steadied the colonies in a time of turmoil

5. And then what happened…? • 1776 – The Declaration of Independence creates a new nation of 13 states • Former British colonies became independent STATES. • Most wrote constitutions: a document that spells out the laws and principles of the government • While state constitutions differed one from another, they shared many similar features

6. Similar Features… • Popular Sovereignty – idea that holds that the govt can only exist with the consent of the governed • Limited Government – Govt is restricted in what it may do and the people have certain rights the govt cannot take away • Civil Rights and Liberties – Governmental guarantee of rights for all • Separation of Powers – Govt powers are divided among three branches

7. Issues… • Lack of Unity – leaders understood that states needed to unite in order to win war • Role of Central Govt – many people/states were fearful of a strong, central govt due to their experiences with Britain • Identity Issues – Most people were more loyal to their state and didn’t see themselves as citizens of a nation—not as Americans

8. Remember: • The 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses were called to action due to emergency • Had no legal base • Intended to be temporary • It didn’t have swag’ • Everyone acknowledged that a more permanent and regular government was needed

9. 1777 - Articles of Confederation -Were created after much debate and deliberation • The first officialgovt of the United States • “A firm league of friendship” • The Articles did not go into effect until 1781…because all 13 states had to ratify it

10. Articles of Confederation…What kind of government do you think they established?(think about what we’ve studied in Unit 1: Types of World Governments)

11. What kind of govt was created? • There was a Congress – one central govt • Congress’ powers were limited and STATE powers were preserved—they would continue to hold the powers they stated in their constitutions • Congress had power to declare war • Congress had power to borrow and coin $ • Congress had power to make treaties • There was a “President” appointed by Congress to preside over Congress…but had no real executive power

12. Weaknesses (cause) Results (effect)

13. Weaknesses (cause) Results (effect) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pgc0Da5Q9M&feature=related

14. Summary: The kind of govt the Articles of Confederation set up

15. The Ballad (Rap/Poem/etc.) of Daniel Shays • Your job is to read the article as a group • Then, create a song, rap, or poem about Daniel Shays’ rebellion • It should include the following: • 1st section: Why the colonists were mad • 2nd section: A little info about Daniel Shays • 3rd section: Shays’ Rebellion • 4th section: What happened as a result • You may (please, please) make these humorous

16. Troubles a’ Brewin’ • Articles created chaos among states: • Conflict between states over land and money • Debt after the war and no way to raise $$$ • Several states made agreements with foreign govts • States organized their own armies • Taxed each others goods or banned trade • Disrespect from foreign nations • Surprise, surprise...these problems led to violence

17. 1786 - Shays’ Rebellion • Massachusetts farmers organized an uprising led by former Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays • Attacked courthouses in protest of the government seizing farmlands of those who could not pay taxes and loans • Rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

18. A Need for a Stronger Govt • The demand grew for a stronger, more effective national govt • Several states had their own meetings to resolve issues among themselves • Feb 1787, Congress called for all states to send delegates to Philadelphia for “revising the Articles of Confederation” • Called the Constitutional Convention

19. Creating and Ratifying the Constitution The Constitutional Convention

20. The Philadelphia or “Constitutional” Convention • Setting the Scene • Where: Philadelphia, PA • When: May 25-September 17, 1787 • The “Framers” • Framer – delegates who attended the Philadelphia Convention and whose task was to write the Constitution • Organization and Procedure • Day 1- Elect President • Day 2- Establish Rules • Day 3- Decide on their Purpose

21. Considering “the natural diversity of human opinions on all new and complicated subjects, it is impossible to consider the degree of concord which ultimately prevailed as less than a miracle.” - James Madison

23. Delegates appointed to the convention 74

24. Attended the meetings regularly 55

25. Signed the document 39

26. Refused to sign the document 3

27. Average age of those in attendance 42

28. Years: Age of the youngest delegate, Jonathan Dayton 27

29. Years: Age of the oldest delegate, Benjamin Franklin 81

30. George Washington

31. James Madison

32. Alexander Hamilton

33. George Mason

34. Benjamin Franklin

35. Thomas Jefferson

36. John Adams

37. Patrick Henry

38. The Situation

39. When? May 25—September 17, 1787

40. Where? Independence Hall; Philadelphia, PA

41. Where? Independence Hall; Philadelphia, PA

42. Serious differences and debates at theConstitutional Convention… • Representation based on population • More people = more representatives Large states Small states - Representation in legislature should be equal for all states - Argued that otherwise, the larger states would ALWAYS outweigh the small states - Bicameral legislature: House of Reps and Senate - House: representation based on POPULATION Senate: representation equal to all states Both large and small states • - Every 3 out of 5 slaves would count towards the state’s population • State’s = # of seats in House • Virginia: 42% slaves; SC: 43% slaves; Georgia: 35% All states, esp. non-slave states There would be no taxes on exported goods Everyone, especially Southern States

43. “Sir, I agree with this Constitution to all its faults, if they are such; because … I doubt …whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men who have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does…” - Benjamin Franklin

44. Ratification of the Constitution RATIFICATION means formal approval Two groups debate… Federalists- support ratification of the Constitution Prominent Federalists (John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, & James Madison) write a series of essays to promote their cause. They become known collectively as The Federalist Papers. Anti-Federalists- opposes ratification of the Constitution Two major arguments: Believed the central government, as proposed in the new document, was too strong! Thought the Constitution should include a declaration of rights! (to protect citizens from the government)

45. Outcome • The Constitution is ratified in 1788 • George Washington is unanimously elected President of the United States • Begins his term in office in 1789. • Washington creates many precedents: • Cabinet • 2 term limit • Uses the title “Mr. President”