Post-Revolutionary Problems

1. Post-Revolutionary Problems

2. No National Government • Colonists did not want a national government • Colonists thought a national government would be like having a King. (they didn’t want another King)

3. No National Government • 13 Separate State Governments • Each state had a constitution, governor, and an army

4. All 13 Colonies in Debt • A National Gov’t was needed to handle debt • Debt caused by borrowing money during Revolutionary War

5. Articles of Confederation • Set up First National Government in America • Made intentionally weak to protect the rights of citizens in America

6. Problems with Articles of Confederation

7. Gave Congress no power to tax Gov’t couldn’t raise money Article/Problems

8. Gave Congress no power to regulate commerce (trade) among the states Border States almost went to war over money owed in trading Article/Problems

9. Provided for no common currency Money had different values in different states Article/Problems

10. Gave each state one vote regardless of size Unfair to larger states Article/Problems

11. Provided for no executive or judicial branch No one to enforce laws Article/Problems

12. Shays Rebellion • A Mass. farmer lead a rebellion to protest the rising taxes on poor farmers by Mass state government • Other states feared rebellions and wanted a national government to protect them.

13. TheConstitution VUS.5 Mr. Poley

14. Problems with Articles of Confederation • Gave Congress no power to tax • Gave Congress no power to regulate commerce among the states • Provided for no common currency • Gave each state one vote regardless of size • Provided for no executive or judicial branch

15. Constitutional Convention • 12 states met in Philadelphia in 1787 to change the Articles of Confederation • Rhode Island did not attend because they believed smaller states would be overlooked in a stronger national government

16. Constitutional Convention • Original plan was to change the Articles of Confederation but decided to throw it out and start a new government

17. George Washington • Chosen as Chairman of the Convention • Washington brought prestige and legitimacy to convention • He stayed out of political arguments

18. James Madison • “Father of the Constitution” • Main author • He was a federalist – a person who favored a strong national government

19. Problems with Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Solutions

20. Problem 1 • States had too much power

21. Solution 1 • Supremacy Clause – national law was supreme over state law; national law limited to those stated in Constitution

22. Problem 2 • People feared a strong national government would have too much power and take away their rights

23. 2 Solutions • Separation of Powers – government divided into 3 equal branches (legislative, judicial, and executive) • Checks and Balances – each branch of government can check the powers of the other

24. Key Compromises at Constitutional Convention

25. Issue 1 • Set up of legislature

26. Side 1 • NJ Plan – wanted a unicameral (one house) legislature with equal votes per state; favored smaller states

27. Side 2 • VA Plan – wanted a bicameral (two house) legislature with representation based on a states population; favored larger states

28. Compromise • Great Compromise – a bicameral legislature (Congress) with an upper house (Senate) with two votes per state and a lower house (House of Representatives) with representation based on a states’ population

29. Issue 2 • Determining representation in House of Representatives

30. Side 1 • Southern view – slaves should be counted when determining number of representatives in Congress

31. Side 2 • Northern view – slaves are property and should not be counted as citizens

32. Compromise • 3/5 Compromise – only 3 out of 5 slaves would be counted in census

33. Issue 3 • Presidential Election

34. Side 1 • People were not educated enough to choose a President

35. Side 2 • People should have the right to choose their own leader

36. Compromise • Electoral College – group of electors who choose the President based on popular vote in their state

37. Ratification of Constitution

38. Constitution • Preamble – introduction to the Constitution; mission statement for America • 7 Articles – outlines set up for government, the jobs of each branch, and the duties and procedures in the government • Amendments – laws that govern the country

39. Ratification of Constitution • Nine States had to ratify or approve the Constitution before it could become law • Two Sides • Federalists vs Anti-federalists

40. Ratification Compromise • Federalists agreed to have a national Bill of Rights added to Constitution if Anti-Federalists would ratify the Constitution • James Madison wrote the bill of rights

41. Ratification Compromise • Bill of Rights was based on the VA Declaration of Rights (George Mason) and the VA Statute for Religious Freedom (Thomas Jefferson)

42. Federalists • Supported a strong national government and wanted Constitution ratified • Felt people were protected because of checks and balances in the government and the separation of powers

43. Federalists • Did not believe a national Bill of Rights was necessary • Wrote Federalists Papers to encourage country to ratify Constitution

44. Anti - federalists • Believed national government was too strong and limited states too much • Wanted a national Bill of Rights added to protect their natural rights

45. You might use chapter 2 section 2 from the new book, as well as the Constitution page 65Also chapter 5 section 1 of the old Textbook. SEE RUBRIC! Articles Essay • You are to write an essay detailing at least three weaknesses from the Articles of Confederation. Explain why they are a weakness and then show how the Constitution would fix those problems. • This is to be a minimum of 5 paragraphs and to be more than one page in length. • Read and follow these instructions. Failure to do so will result in deductions from your grade.