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THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 1776-John Dickerson drafted the first constitution Congress modified to protect states rights 1777-Congress adopted as The Articles of Confederation. RATIFICATION. Articles sent to each state for ratification (approval)

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THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

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  1. THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

  2. 1776-John Dickerson drafted the first constitution • Congress modified to protect states rights • 1777-Congress adopted as The Articles of Confederation

  3. RATIFICATION • Articles sent to each state for ratification (approval) • Delayed over a dispute over western lands • Small states believed the central government should control • Larger states believed the lands should be controlled by the states • Virginia and New York were the hold outs • Finally agreed to give up landholdings in March 1781

  4. ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Treaty of Paris (1783) • Land Ordinance (1785) • Policy for western land • How land would be distributed • Ordinance for public education • Northwest Ordinance (1787) • Policy for creation of new states • Granted limited self-government • Banned slavery

  5. SHAYS REBELLION • Western Massachusetts • Farmers were paying high taxes on land • When they didn’t pay, they were thrown in jail • Regulator Movement • Daniel Shays-Revolutionary Veteran • Closed tax courts • Freed imprisoned debtors • Decided to take over arsenal in Springfield • Met by the Massachusetts Militia • 3 killed • 150 arrested but later pardoned • Impact • Showed weakness in central government to protect individual and states rights

  6. CONSTITUTION CONVENTION • Summer of 1787-Philadelphia • Purpose-revising the Articles • 55 delegates • Rhode Island refused • Secret meetings • Elected George Washington chairmen • James Madison-secretary

  7. COMPROMISES

  8. REPRESENTATION • Large states-Virginia Plan • Representation in Congress by population • Small states-New Jersey Plan • Equal representation in Congress • Great (Connecticut) Compromise • Bicameral (two house) legislature • House of Representatives-population • Senate-equal (2 votes) • Three branches of Government • Legislative, Executive, Judicial

  9. SLAVERYProblem 1 • Southern states • Wanted slaves to count for population • Northern states • Believed slaves not citizens and should not be counted • 3/5ths Compromise • Each slave would count as 3/5ths of a person

  10. SLAVERYProblem 2 • Southern states • Did not want Congress interfering with slave trade • Northern states • Believed limits should be set on amount of slaves coming to the US • Slave Trade Compromise • Guaranteed slave trade for 20 years (1808) • Congress would hold new vote on issue

  11. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT • Educated man • Only those that are educated should elect the President • Common man • All citizens should elect the President • Electoral College Compromise • President elected by both a popular vote and an electoral vote

  12. THE CONSTITUTION

  13. STRUCTURE • Begins with Preamble (Introduction) • “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves, and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” • 6 Responsibilities of National Government • 1. • 2. • 3. • 4. • 5. • 6.

  14. STRUCTURE • Seven Articles • 1. Legislative (Congress) • 2. Executive (President) • 3. Judicial (Supreme Court) • 4. Relations among the states • 5. Amending the Constitution (4 methods) • Proposed in national, ratified by states • 6. Role of National Government • Constitution is Supreme law • 7. Ratification • 27 Amendments or changes • First 10 Amendments-”Bill of Rights” • Separation of Powers- • Checks & Balances-

  15. RATIFICATION • September 17, 1787-sent to states • 9 of 13 had to approve to go into effect • Federalists-for • Published 85 Essays-”Federalist Papers” • Anti-Federalists-against • First state to ratify-Delaware • Last state to ratify-North Carolina • May 1790-Constitution in effect

  16. STRUCTURE • Unicameral government-one house • Legislative-known as Congress • Each state given one vote • 9 out of 13 votes needed to pass laws • To amend (change) the Articles had to have unanimous vote

  17. POWERS OF CONGRESS • Wage war • Make treaties • Send diplomats • Build military • Standardize money • Borrow money

  18. STATE OBLIGATIONS • Provide money and troops • Honor other states laws • Surrender fugitives • Open travel & trade • Submit disputes to Congress • Obey Articles of Confederation

  19. WEAKNESSES • Financial • War debts unpaid • Worthless paper money • Congress no power to tax or regulate trade • Foreign • Britain & Spain threats to expand lands • Domestic • Could not force states to give money or send troops • Shay’s Rebellion (1786)

  20. QUALIFICATIONS • House of Representatives • 25 years old • Citizen for 7 years • Live in district • Term-2 years (no limit) • Senate • 30 years old • Citizen for 9 years • Live in state • Term-6 years (no limit)

  21. QUALIFICATIONS • President • 35 years old • Natural born citizen • Resident of country for 14 years • Term-4 years • Original Constitution-no limit • 22nd Amendment-limited to two terms or 10 years • Supreme Court • Appointed by President • Approved by Senate • Life term

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