Creating a New Government:

1. Creating a New Government: The Articles of Confederation and The Constitution

2. Articles of Confederation • 1777Articles of Confederation introduced at First Continental Congress • 1781 approved as states’ first constitution • Up until this point, each state had it’s own constitution • A set of laws that acted as a central governmentwas needed if states were going to act as one nation

3. Remember: The purpose of government and a written Constitution is to: • Protect the rights of all citizens • Set limits on power of government After Revolution, people fearful of giving too much power to a central government– they had just won independence from tyranny of British king!

4. Articles of Confederation • Loose alliance of 13 states • Each state had ONE vote in Congress • Gave limited power to central government while preserving power of each state

5. Powers Under Articles of Confederation National Government • Limited power • One branch - Legislature • Declare War • Coin Money • Appoint Military Officers • Could NOT tax people (Congress no way to raise $$) State Government • All power not given to National Gov’t • Could collect taxes • Regulate trade • Coin own money (each state had different money) • Enforce laws passed by Congress

6. Strengths and Weaknesses of A of C Strengths 1. First National Government to unite states 2. 1785 – Land Ordinance – establishes laws to create new towns 3. 1787 – NW Ordinance allows new states in Northwest territory Weaknesses • Each state had own money (made trade difficult) • Could not regulate trade • Britain still maintaining troops in US - no national gov’t to force them out • National gov’t no power to stop rebellions in states

7. Moving Forward • Articles of Confederation not working - National Government too weak • Each state running independently • There was a need for a national government that united the current 13 independent states • Leads to: Constitutional Convention 1787

8. 1787 Constitutional Convention • Took place in Philadelphia, PA • 12 states represented (no Rhode Island) – 55 delegates known as Framersof the Constitution • Purpose NOT revise Articles of Confederation, but to write a NEW constitution • George Washington – President of Convention Why was Washington a natural choice to lead convention? • James Madison – considered Father of Constitution – took excellent notes at Convention

9. Framers at WorkDo you recognize anyone? Anyone missing?

10. Influences to Constitution • British Government • Magna Carta– written document of laws (Constitution) • Parliament – people elected to make laws (Congress) • English Bill of Rights – protecting rights of citizens/limiting monarchy (Bill of Rights – 1st ten amendments to Constitution)

11. Colonial American Experiences • Virginia House of Burgesses: representative government • Mayflower Compact: 1620 – written laws by people establishing role of government • Pre-Revolutionary experiments: Second Continental Congress, The Articles of Confederation, and their own state governments • Enlightenment Thinkers • John Locke - Natural rights Government is to protect these rights • Baron de Montesquieu – checks and balances/ 3 branches of gov’t /separation of power

12. Federalism • A system of gov’t in which power is divided between the national (central, federal) gov’t and state governments. The federal gov’t is SUPREME.

13. FRAMERS DESIGN A REPUBLIC • REPUBLIC: A form of government where people (citizens) rule through elected representatives.

14. Issues at Constitutional Convention 1. REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS Small States – wanted equal representation Large States – wanted representation based on population The Great Compromise CONGRESS – 2 HOUSES 1. SENATE – 2 Senators for each state (equal representation) 2. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – representation based on population

15. II. SLAVERY – How to count slaves in terms of population • North – did not want slaves to count (no slaves in North; slaves cannot vote anyway) • South – wanted slaves to count; many slaves Compromise: 3/5 of slaves in state would count towards total state population

16. NATIONAL GOV’T POWERS 1. Coin money (same currency nationally) 2. Regulate trade between states and foreign countries 3. Maintain national military 4. Establish geographic boundaries

17. A SYSTEM OF CHECKS & BALANCES The framers set out the basic laws of the new nation, defining and limiting government’s powers. (We will go into these in more detail later)

18. FEDERALISTS ANTI-FEDERALISTS • Supported approval of Constitution • Need for strong national government with States having less power • No need for Bill of Rights • Protect individual rights • Led by James Madison • Opposed approval of Constitution • Need a weaker national government; states more power • Wanted a Bill of Rights ( to list basic freedoms) • Afraid of losing individual rights/afraid of President role • Led by Patrick Henry CONVENTION DIVIDED

20. RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION • 9 out of 13 states needed to ratify Constitution • July 4, 1788 nine states agree to ratify Constitution • 1790 – All 13 states ratify Constitution

21. TERMS OF RATIFICATION • George Washington elected President, John Adams, Vice President • Framers had set up a way to change or amend Constitution – a living document that can be changed to meet new conditions (27 amendments today) • In first year, Congress makes 10 amendments to Constitution know as Bill of Rights • Bill of Rights - ensures basic freedoms of American citizens