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Shaping the New Nation

Explore the struggle to establish a functional government in the early days of the United States, focusing on the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the journey towards the US Constitution through key events like Shay's Rebellion and the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Understand the importance of federalism, checks and balances, and the role of figures like James Madison in shaping the country's future. Learn about the ratification process and the significance of the Bill of Rights in securing individual liberties.

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Shaping the New Nation

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  1. Shaping the New Nation It is much easier to destroy an old system of government than it is to create a new one How much power should the national government have???

  2. Governments Constantly Try To Balance………. • LIBERTY • Can you think of modern day examples? • PROTECTION • ORDER • SAFETY • Which side do the A of C err on??

  3. Attempt #1 – Articles of Confederation, March 1781 • Taxes Can’t tax a state or person No $$ • Army/navy Rely on states for troops No national military • Trade Can’t regulate inter-state trade States tax each other • Money Can’t print $$$ States print; Gov $ worthless • Land NW Ordinance 1787 Entry of new states • Power 1 vote per state Jealousies/rivalries • Amending Need unanimous vote Impossible to change • Disputes Can’t settle or enforce States quarrel constantly • Judiciary No national court system Can’t settle legal disputes • Enforcement No Executive No real power to enforce laws

  4. Which weakness do YOU think is the greatest? Why??

  5. Articles of Confederation • Establishes US as a confederation of sovereign states • What does this mean? • Loose “league of friendship” between states • Doesn’t use term “nation” at all • States operate as independent countries – no real national unity (remember Franklin’s cartoon??) • STATE GOV more powerful than NATIONAL GOV

  6. Land Ordinance 1785 and NW Land Ordinance 1787 • A of C greatest achievement • Land W of App and N. or Ohio River – rich land for settlement • Survey the land • Divide into territories • Set requirements for admission of new states

  7. Signs of Trouble – Shay’s Rebellion • Daniel Shay – • Veteran of Rev War - returned to farm western MA • Carried debt – faced debtors prison • Demands courts close so farmers like him don’t lose their farms to creditors (every state has debt ridden farmers) • 1786/87 Shay leads army of farmers 1,200 strong to arsenal at Springfield , MA MA State Militia kills 4 rebels and scatters rest

  8. Significance of Shay’s Rebellion? • National Gov can’t put the rebellion down because can’t raise an army • Rebels - act against gov when gov acts against people’s wishes (heavily taxed) • Example of chaos and disorder cause by a weak gov. People fear lawlessness – must act soon to strengthen gov.

  9. US Constitution Constitutional Convention – 1787 Delegates from all states but RI meet in Philadelphia (same room where they signed the Declaration 11 years earlier). Washington elected President by unanimous vote.

  10. Big States V. Small States – The Great Compromise

  11. North V. South – how to count the slaves? 3/5 Compromise

  12. Federalism – Division of Power • Federalism divides power between the national gov and the state gov • Enumerated powers – those granted to the national gov. Such as….? • Reserved powers – those kept by the states. Such as…..? • Shared powers – right to tax, borrow money, pay debts, establish courts

  13. Montesquieu – Separation of Powers • Executive branch – (President) carries out the law • Legislative branch – (Congress) makes the law • Judicial branch – (Supreme Court/courts) interprets the law

  14. Checks and Balances

  15. Electoral College • Distrust of popular sovereignty led the framers of the Constitution to create a complicated system of electing the president • College of representatives (electors) would get the last say • Each state chooses electors (= to number of senators and representatives) and electors cast ballots for the candidates • Possible to win popular vote and lose electoral college (Bush/Gore 2000)

  16. James Madison – known as the father of the Constitution because of his pivotal role in its drafting and ratification. He also drafted the Bill of Rights. Future 4th President of the US.

  17. Ratification????Official approval requires agreement of at least 9 states

  18. The Federalist Papers • Series of 85 essays published in NY newspapers between 1787/1788 • Defended the Constitution • Published under pseudonym “Publius” • Later revealed authors – Madison, Hamilton, Jay

  19. Ratification • Delaware = first to ratify • New Hampshire – fulfills ratification as 9th state • Problem – VA and NY had not voted and new gov needs these large, powerful states • VA and NY finally vote – becomes reality 1789

  20. Bill of Rights

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