Chapter 5 FROM CONFEDERATION TO FEDERAL UNION

1. Chapter 5FROM CONFEDERATION TO FEDERAL UNION Section 1: The Articles of Confederation Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document

2. Section 1: The Articles of Confederation Objectives: • What political ideas were reflected in the state constitutions? • How did the ideas of Republican Motherhood affect women’s roles and opportunities? • What powers did the Articles of Confederation grant the national government? • How did the Northwest Ordinance try to resolve future conflicts over western lands? • What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

3. Section 1: The Articles of Confederation State constitutions • limited the power of governors • restricted the influence of the church on government

4. Section 1: The Articles of Confederation Republican Motherhood • gave women a powerful role in the home • expanded support for women’s education • limited women’s political participation

5. Section 1: The Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation granted the national government: • power to coin and borrow money • power to conduct foreign affairs • power to set policy toward American Indians • power to settle disputes between the states

6. Section 1: The Articles of Confederation Northwest Ordinance • provided for the creation of new states • provided for a process for settling territories farther west • guaranteed settlers’ civil rights • banned slavery

7. Section 1: The Articles of Confederation Weakness of the Articles of Confederation • All 13 states had to consent to changes in the Articles. • Major legislation needed the consent of all 13 states. • Congress was unable to levy taxes. • Congress was unable to regulate foreign trade. • Weaknesses led to lack of confidence in government, mounting national debt, and economic depression.

8. Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution Objectives: • How did the Virginia Plan call for a stronger federal government? • What major compromises were reflected in the Constitution? • How did the Antifederalists oppose the Constitution, and how did the Federalists respond? • Why did all 13 states ratify the Constitution?

9. Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution Virginia Plan • gave Congress the right to overturn state laws • gave Congress the right to tax the states • gave Congress the right to use force against a state if it did not fulfill its duties

10. Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution Major compromises in the Constitution • The Great Compromise granted each state an equal voice in the upper house regardless of size, and accorded representation in the lower house based on population. • The Three-Fifths Compromise established that three fifths of a state’s slave population would count in determining its population. • Compromises over commerce established that Congress could levy tariffs on imports but not exports, and allowed the importation of slaves until the end of 1807s.

11. Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution Debate over the Constitution Federalists and Antifederalists debated each other in state ratifying conventions, and the Federalists wrote a series of essays called the Federalist Papers.

12. Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution Ratification Ratification was only unanimous because Congress agreed to add a bill of rights for Virginia and New York, and threatened economic boycott against Rhode Island.

13. Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document Objectives: • How does the Constitution divide power between the federal and state governments? • How does the separation of powers prevent each branch of government from becoming too strong? • What are the potential drawbacks of the system of checks and balances? • What provisions in the constitution allow for its flexibility?

14. Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document Division of power • Delegated powers such as the rights to coin money, regulate trade with foreign nations and among states, and to raise and support an army and a navy, are listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government.

15. Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document Division of power (continued) • Reserved powers such as the rights to establish local governments and oversee schools belong to the states, and include all those powers not specifically granted to the federal government.

16. Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document Division of power (continued) • Concurrent powers such as levying and collecting taxes, borrowing money, providing for the public welfare, and establishing courts belong to both the state and federal governments.

17. Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document Separation of power • Each branch has its own powers that other branches cannot claim. • Legislative branch makes laws. • Executive branch sees that laws are carried out. • Judicial branch interprets and applies laws.

18. Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document Potential drawbacks of checks and balances • political infighting • political stalemates • government shutdowns

19. Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document Flexibility provisions • Amendment process allows citizens to alter the Constitution. • Elastic clause gives Congress the authority to exercise its powers in ways not specified.