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The Creation of a Constitution

Explore the first written constitution of the United States, the Articles of Confederation, its limitations, and the journey to the creation of a new federal law in the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

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The Creation of a Constitution

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  1. The Creation of a Constitution

  2. Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the United States. Stemming from wartime urgency, its progress was slowed by fears of central authority and extensive land claims by states before was it was ratified on March 1, 1781. Under these articles, the states remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes. Congress was also given the authority to make treaties and alliances, maintain armed forces and coin money. However, the central government lacked the ability to levy taxes and regulate commerce, issues that led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 for the creation of new federal laws.

  3. What does sovereign mean? Power (in government) What is a confederation? A group of loosely joined states or nations. So that makes the US under the Articles a group of loosely joined states that have more power than the central government.

  4. Weaknesses of the Articles • No national court system • No executive branch • Congress can’t pass taxes • Congress can’t regulate commerce • No way to interpret the laws, or judge/prosecute those who broke them • No branch to enforce the laws • Gov’t has no money, can’t pay the soldiers • Gov’t can’t deal with trade disputes

  5. Constitutional Convention May 1787, Philadelphia Delegates met and created a new government, new constitution-Articles of Confederation weren’t going to work 3/5 Compromise-settled the issue of counting slaves into the states’ population Great Compromise/Connecticut Compromise-created a bicameral (two house) legislature; one based on population the other equal representation for all states Ratified and signed September 17, 1787

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