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The Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention 1781 - 1788

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention 1781 - 1788 . Weaknesses of the Articles. No power to tax No regulation of trade No executive branch No national courts Unanimous vote for amendments Only one vote per state (equal power) 9/13 to pass laws

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The Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention 1781 - 1788

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  1. The Articles of Confederationandthe Constitutional Convention1781 - 1788

  2. Weaknesses of the Articles • No power to tax • No regulation of trade • No executive branch • No national courts • Unanimous vote for amendments • Only one vote per state (equal power) • 9/13 to pass laws • “league of friendship” • States too powerful

  3. Shays’ Rebellion 1786-87 • Farmers losing homes • Unresponsive Mass. Legis. • High property taxes • High interest rates • Foreclosuresales • Farmers closed down courts • Plans to take weapons arsenal • Guilty of TREASON .. • Pardoned • Need for stronger (new) govt.

  4. Successes of the Articles • LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785 • TOWNSHIPS 6 x 6 MILES • $1 PER ACRE • MONEY FOR EDUCATION • NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787 • ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT • 5 STATES (INCLUDING ILLINOIS) • NO SLAVERY ALLOWED

  5. Land Ordinance of 1785

  6. Northwest Territory of 1787

  7. The Constitutional Convention • To REVISE the Articles • Summer of 1787 (Philadelphia) • Secret meetings • George Washington- President • James Madison- main writer • Ben Franklin- oldest – glue – wit and humor • John Adams and T. Jeffferson absent

  8. Ben Franklin "Remember, that time is money.” "If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty." "He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing." "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." "A penny saved is a penny earned." "Fish and visitors smell in three days." "Genius without education is like silver in the mine." "Haste makes waste."

  9. Virginia Plan • Madison’s proposal • Large state plan • Bicameral legislature • Representation based on population • Assembly elected by people • Senate chosen by Assembly

  10. more on the VA Plan • The legislature was very powerful • An executive to ensure the will of the legislature was carried out, and was so chosen by the legislature • Formation of a judiciary, with life-terms of service • The executive and some of the national judiciary would have the power to veto legislation, subject to override • National veto power over any state legislation

  11. New Jersey Plan • Small state plan • Unicameral legislature • Equal representation for states

  12. Hamilton’s Plan • A bicameral legislature • The lower house, the Assembly, was elected by the people for three year terms • The upper house, the Senate, elected by electors chosen by the people, and with a life-term of service • An executive called the Governor, elected by electors and with a life-term of service • The Governor had an absolute veto over bills • A judiciary, with life-terms of service • State governors appointed by the national legislature • National veto power over any state legislation

  13. Great Compromise • BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE • SENATE – 2 PER STATE • HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES • # Reps. based on population • Minimum of 1 Rep.

  14. Three-fifths Compromise • How should slaves be counted for population purposes? • SOUTH: count all • NORTH: don’t count • 5 slaves = 3 people • DO THE MATH: • 1000 SLAVES = ???? PEOPLE • 25,000 SLAVES = ???? PEOPLE

  15. The debate begins • 9 states had to approve Constitution • Two opposing groups: • Federalists (supporters of strong Constitution) • Anti-Federalists (against ratification) • NOT ENOUGH POWER FOR STATES • FED. GOVT. TOO STRONG • FEARED TAXATION POWER OF FED. GOVT. • NO “BILL OF RIGHTS” • WRITTEN BY THE WELL-TO-DO • FAVORED NORTHEASTERN STATES (TARIFFS) • 9 states ratified by 1788 • All states by 1790

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