The Articles of Confederation

1. Created by Second Continental Congress Each state had one vote, regardless of population Powers divided among federal and state governments The Articles of Confederation

2. Biggest accomplishment of the Articles of Confederation. Determined how the Northwest Territories would be settled. Outlawed slavery in new territories Northwest Ordinance of 1787

3. Based upon what you read on page 72: 1.) How did the Land Ordinance of 1785 encourage small landowners to settle in the Northwest Territories? 2.) How did the Ordinance encourage religion and public education? 3.) Speculate on how the Northwest Territory would have been settled if the grid system for surveying and marketing the lands had not been used. The Land Ordinance of 1785/North West Ordinance of 1787

4. If the Articles of Confederation were good enough to defeat the British, why bother getting rid of them? Critical Thinking:

5. Congress unable to collect taxes One vote per state leads to power imbalance 9 of 13 states needed to pass anything Amended only through unanimous vote Shay’s Rebellion Weakness of Articles:

6. Creating a New Government Constitutional Convention

7. James Madison Federalism Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Creating a New Government

8. James Madison: "A pure democracy can admit no cure for the mischiefs of faction. A common passion or interest will be felt by a majority, and there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party. Hence it is, that democracies have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths". Define “faction”, as used by James Madison. Think of a current day issue. Analyze the parties involve determine if it meets Madison’s definition of a faction. Does Madison think that direct democracy is a good, or bad thing? The Federalist 10

9. James Madison: "In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government…it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others….Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.“ What is the purpose of separating the powers of government? Why should the different branches of government not be dependent on each other to act? Based on Madison’s writing, do you think he would want any single branch of government to be more powerful than the other? Explain your answer. The Federalist 51

10. Alexander Hamilton: “It has been several times truly remarked that bills of rights are, in their origin, stipulations between kings and their subjects…It is evident, therefore, that, according to their primitive signification, they have no application to constitutions professedly founded upon the power of the people, and executed by their immediate representatives and servants. Here, in strictness, the people surrender nothing; and as they retain every thing they have no need of particular reservations.” Based on the above, is Alexander Hamilton arguing for, or against a bill of rights? Based on what you know about the time period, do you agree with Hamilton? Did the Constitution need a bill of rights, or would it have been fine without one? (Hint: think about the status of black Americans, Indians and women). The Federalist 84

11. The Founding Fathers were able to compromise on issues as important as declaring independence from Great Britain, slavery, and even the Constitution itself. What are some important debates going on in America today? Do you see similar compromise by our politicians? Critical Thinking:

12. Constitution sent to state and ratified As promised, later amended to include a Bill of Rights Bill of Rights