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Articles of Confederation. January 6, 2014. January 1776 New Hampshire 1st colony to organize as a STATE Create state Constitution Constitution: detailed, written plan Each state gov’t similar Legislature: create laws Bicameral: 2 houses 1 Governor for each state Carry out the laws
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Articles of Confederation January 6, 2014
January 1776 • New Hampshire 1st colony to organize as a STATE • Create state Constitution • Constitution: detailed, written plan Each state gov’t similar • Legislature: create laws • Bicameral: 2 houses • 1 Governor for each state • Carry out the laws • Judges/ courts • Decide if laws fair/ what laws mean
Each state had: • Trial by jury • Protection of Personal Property But…One thing can’t do: • Create a LARGE army • 13 small armies would be no match for the British May 1776: 2nd Continental Congress • Goal: create a UNION of states • Create the Articles of Confederation • 1st Constitution of the U.S. • Confederation: group of individual state gov’ts that BOND together (cooperate)
1781: All 13 states ratify • Ratify: APPROVE Articles of Confederation • 1 house Legislature • Each state gets 1 vote Only Government can deal with: • Army • Deal with foreign countries But…Government cannot: • Enforce laws • Tax (can only ask, no demand) • Government cannot ask states to do anything
Weakness of Articles of Confederation • No pass law without 9 of 13 states agree • To Amend (change) articles • Need all 13 states • No enforce laws • No single leader • No court system • No tax • 1783: U.S. wins Revolutionary War against England • Treaty of Paris ends war • Major Problem: DEBT HIGH • Government cannot TAX
States increase taxes • Tax goods from other states • Farmers can’t pay for property • Leads to Resentment • 1786-1787: riots break out • Fear gov’t no protect safety Daniel Shays (Shays’ Rebellion) • Farmer from Massachusetts • State threaten to take farm • Gather 1,200 farmers & riot • Wake-up Call: NEED stronger gov’t • 1787: 12 states send delegates to Philadelphia to REVISE Articles
American Revolution • Few people live west of Appalachian Mountains • By 1790s: 120,000 people • Government works to survey (measure) land & sell • Creates 6 square mile townships • Each township broken up to 36 sections of 1 square mile each • PROBLEM: How to govern area • Northwest Ordinance created to govern • No Slavery
Constitutional Convention January 28, 2014
1787: Constitutional Convention • Rhode Island only state that didn’t send delegates • Don’t want strong national gov’t • May 25, 1787: Meet in Independence Hall, Philadelphia • Bad weather Delegates • 55 men • Well educated • Lawyers, doctors, merchants, college presidents, generals, governors • 8 signed Declaration of Independence • 7 were governors • 41 member of Continental Congress
NO • African Americans • Native Americans • Women • Ben Franklin oldest (81) • Famous writer, inventor, scientist • George Washington & James Madison become U.S. Presidents • Thomas Jefferson & John Adams in EUROPE • Patrick Henry against/ no go
Chose George Washington to preside over Constitutional Convention • Leadership during American Revolution 1. Each state get 1 vote • No matter how many delegates 2. Majority decides (7 votes) 3. Held in SECRET • No one knows; no records • James Madison notebook only source of information • GOAL: REVISE Articles • But…end up writing NEW CONSTITUTION