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The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Chapter 5 Sections 1 - 3. Key Ideas. After the Revolution the 13 states ratify the Articles of Confederation In 1787 the Constitutional Convention meets to revise the government

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The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

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  1. The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution Chapter 5 Sections 1 - 3

  2. Key Ideas • After the Revolution the 13 states ratify the Articles of Confederation • In 1787 the Constitutional Convention meets to revise the government • After the Constitutional Convention it is left to the 13 states to ratify the new Constitution

  3. The Articles of Confederation • Ratified in 1781 • Weak Central Government • Most power resides with the states • Congress could • Wage / Declare War • Raise Armies • Sign Treaties w/foreign powers • Congress could not • Impose taxes • Regulate Trade

  4. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • The New Territories • Congress appointed Governor & 3 Judges • After 5000 adult males settle • Those 5000 elect a territorial legislature • After population of territory reaches 60,000 • The territory could apply for statehood

  5. Federal Government Lacks Authority • The Treaty of 1783 calls for payment of British merchant loans • No way for new government to enforce this • British merchants are angry • British refuse to leave American land • Spain and Georgia are in a border dispute • Spain blocks access to Mississippi River • Federal Government has no way of forcing Georgia to settle dispute – trade suffers

  6. Shay’s Rebellion 1787 • Shays Rebellion led by former Rev. War soldier Daniel Shay • Farmers in Mass. angry about taxes  attack Mass. Govt. officials • Property owners worry that a weak central govt. cannot protect their rights • Merchants, landowners, & wealthy want stronger central govt.

  7. All call for CHANGE • 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia • Goal is to revise Articles of Confederation • George Washington chosen as presiding officer • 55 delegates

  8. The Virginia Plan • Do away with Articles of Confederation • 3 Branches of Government • Legislative Branch has 2 Houses • Upper House = Senate • Lower House = House of Reps • Number of Reps for both houses dependent on state’s population • Smaller states oppose this plan – why?

  9. The New Jersey Plan • Rework the Articles of Confederation • 3 Branches of Government • Legislative Branch has 1 House • Number of Reps. is equal for all states regardless of population • Large states oppose this plan

  10. The Great Compromise • Senate = 2 Senators from each state • House of Reps = based on Population

  11. 3/5thsCompromise • Slave States want slaves counted for population / representation • Northern States say then they should count for taxes as well • Compromise - 1 slave = 3/5th of a white person

  12. Federalists v. Anti-federalists • Federalists – • Strong Central Govt. • Includes landowners, merchants, artisans, farmers that rely on interstate trade • Important players: • Alexander Hamilton • James Madison • Anti-Federalists • Strong State Govt. • Afraid of loss of Rights • Included western farmers, people deeply in debt • Important Players: • Sam Adams • Patrick Henry

  13. The Federalist Papers • 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay • Explained why the new Constitution would be good & how it would work • Still referred to today by judges, lawyers, historians, & law makers to interpret what the Founding Fathers meant

  14. Fight for Ratification • 9 of 13 states had to ratify Constitution for it to become law • Delegates went back to their states to present it to state govts. • Dec 1787 & Jan 1788 • DE, PA, NJ, GA, & CT ratify • Sam Adams protests and threatens to stop ratification in MA • He wants promises against a loss of rights • Federalists promise specific mention of rights in the Constitution after ratification • S. Adams agrees • Bill of Rights become the first 10 Amendments

  15. Fight for Ratification • June 1788 • MD, SC, NH, & MA ratify • This makes 9 of the 13 states… BUT

  16. Federalists want to be SURE • NY & VA still needed! • But WHY?

  17. Virginia & New York • Two of the largest states • NY is wealthy • Merchants • Trade • Capitalists & Entrepreneurs • Virginia • Many influential Patriots • Washington, Jefferson, Henry, etc. • Washington elected as first President by a small group of electors in 1789 • Last state to ratify is Rhode Island in 1790

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