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The Confederation and the Constitution

The Confederation and the Constitution. Although American colonies won the American Revolution, during this Critical Period the new nation was challenged with a weak constitution. I. Post Revolutionary War Changes. Social -More egalitarian Demise of military elite More anti- slavery

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The Confederation and the Constitution

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  1. The Confederation and the Constitution Although American colonies won the American Revolution, during this Critical Period the new nation was challenged with a weak constitution.

  2. I. Post Revolutionary War Changes • Social -More egalitarian • Demise of military elite • More anti-slavery • Separation of Church/State • VA Statute on Religious Freedom, 1786 • No advantages women • NA lacked sovereignty • Political-more democratic • State governments evolve • Constitutional convention • Fundamental law • All: BofR & weak EX/JU • Economic-spread wealth • Depresision-s1780s • Foreign Trade

  3. II. Articles of Confederation • Need for a Constitution • CC had no constitutional authority • Ratification dragged on, 1781 • Provisions • Congress chief agency • Each state single vote • Bills required 2/3 vote • Amendments consent • Strengths • Western Expansion a. Land and Northwest Ordinances • Weaknesses (intentional) • Couldn’t regulate commerce or tax • Revolutionary Spirit • Newburgh Conspiracy, 1783 • Shay’s Rebellion, 1786

  4. III. The Constitutional Convention • Annapolis Convention, 1786 • Philadelphia Convention, 1787 • Objective? • Issues • Representation • Large (proportional representation) v. Small states (equal representation) • Strong Executive Branch • Electoral College • Slavery • 3/5’s Compromise, Slave Trade, Fugitive Slave laws • Commerce Compromise between Ag states and Industrial states • Principles of Government • Checks and Balances • The “elastic clause” • The “Supremacy Clause” • Conservative Safeguards • No Bill of Rights

  5. IV. Ratification • Debates in state conventions • NH (1788) • VA a. James Mason • NY • The Federalist Papers • federalists • Well-educated, seaboard. • AofC weak, support strong central/national government, no need for Bill of Rights. • anti-federalists 1. Back country farmers, ill-educated, and debtors • AofC was good, opposed strong central/national government, wanted Bill of Rights.

  6. Articles of Confederation Loose Confederation 1 legislative vote per state 2/3 vote for bills No Congressional power over commerce No congressional power to tax No federal courts Unanimity of states for amendment Constitution Firm federation At least 3 legislative votes Simple majority for bills Congress regulate commerce Congress can tax Federal courts Amendments less difficult More Conservative Strengthening of the Federal Government?

  7. Practice: Putting Things in Order __ Fifty-five “demi-gods” meet secretly in Philadelphia to draft a new charter of government. __ The first American national government, more a league of states than a real government, goes into effect. __ At the request of Congress, the states draft new constitutions based on the authority of the people. __ The Constitution is ratified by the nine states necessary to put it into effect. __ Debtor farmers fail in a rebellion, setting off conservative fears and demands for a stronger government to control anarchy.

  8. Answers 4, 2, 1, 5, 3

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