Articles of Confederation to the Constitution

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Articles of Confederation to the Constitution

Articles of ConfederationThe representatives of the thirteen states agree to create a confederacy called the United States of America, in which each state maintains its own sovereignty and all rights to govern, except those rights specifically granted to Congress.

These thirteen states enter into a firm "league of friendship" for the purpose of defending each other.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?I. Currency Issues The United States did not have a common currency. Americans carried money from the federal government, state government, and foreign nations.

Merchants stopped accepting money from outside of their own state, causing a lot of money to become worthless. This caused an increase in inflation. (Steady rise in prices relating to an increased volume of money and credit resulting in a loss in the value of the currency.)

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?II. Debt Congress could not tax the people and depended on money from the states. (no power to tax) Therefore, the U.S. was unable to pay its debts!Examples:- The U.S. owed money to France, Holland, and Spain for loans made during the Revolutionary War.- The U.S. had not paid many of their own soldiers!Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?III. International and Domestic Problems The U.S. lacked the military power to defend itself against Great Britain and Spain. States acted as individual countries and seldom agreed. (i.e. sending troops to fight)Example: - Connecticut and Virginia almost went to war over land claims!

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?Courts (Judicial Branch)

The nation lacked a national court system.Supreme Court

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?President (Executive Branch) The nation did not have a President, or Chief Executive.White House

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?Congress (Legislative Branch) Laws were difficult to pass, needing the approval of nine states. Congress was responsible to the states (legislatures or Governors), not the people. Congress had no power to collect taxes, coin money, or establish a military.

Congress had one house. (unicameral)Capitol BuildingComparisonArticles of ConfederationConstitution of the United StatesMajor power held by individual statesPowers shared between states and central governmentNational government had no power to tax, no power to enforce lawsNational government had power to tax and regulate tradeAt the national level-one house legislature, no executive, no court systemThree branches at the national levelexecutive, legislative, judicialIntroduction to the U.S. ConstitutionWritten in PhiladelphiaOriginal intent was to revise the Articles Washington was the President of the convention; James Madison was the Father of the Constitution39 men signed it in 1787

Objective: Three major problems would arise during the conventionHow do we solve them?

COMPROMISE!!!!!3 BIG FIGHTS!!North vs. SouthBig vs. LittleFederalist vs. AntifederalistHow to count slaves for representation (Southern) and taxation (Northern) purposes 3 out of every 5 slaves would be counted.North vs. South: Three-Fifths Compromise

- It called for a unicameral legislature, in which every state received one vote.Virginia PlanNew Jersey Plan- Both plans called for a strong national government with 3 branches.- It called for a bicameral legislature, in which the number of representatives in each house would depend on the population of the state.Big v. Little: Great Compromise-Connecticut Compromise eCompromise ComCompromise Compromise) It provided for a bicameral Congress.A. House of Representatives each state is represented according to its population (satisfied the VA Plan)B. Senate each state has 2 Senators (satisfied the NJ Plan)* Both houses of Congress must pass every law.

Federalism vs. AntifederalismSome states wanted to preserve more states rights. Others wanted to protect individuals rights.Compromise?Bill of Rights! The Principles of the United States Constitution

I. Popular SovereigntyThe people hold the ultimate authorityThe first three words of the Constitution are We the PeopleA representative democracy lets the people elect leaders to make decisions for them.Sen. Jim Webb, Sen. Mark Warner, and Rep. Randy Forbes are our elected officials in Congress

II. Limited GovernmentFramers wanted to guard against tyrannyGovernment is limited to the power given them in the Constitution.The Constitution tells how leaders who overstep their power can be removed

III. FederalismThe division of power between State and National GovernmentsSome powers are sharedThe National Government has the supreme power

IV. Separation of PowersNo one holds too much powerLegislative branch makes the lawsExecutive branch carries out the lawsJudicial branch interprets the laws

Legislative BranchSenate and House of RepresentativesMake our lawsAppropriate MoneyRegulate ImmigrationEstablish Post Offices and RoadsRegulate Interstate Commerce and TransportationDeclare War

Executive BranchThe President enforces the lawChief DiplomatChief ExecutiveChief of StateChief Legislator (suggests laws to Congress)Commander in ChiefEconomic PlannerParty Leader

Judicial BranchInterprets the lawSupreme Court and other Federal CourtsPreserve and protect the rights guaranteed by the ConstitutionConsiders cases involving national lawsDeclares laws and acts unconstitutional

V. Checks and BalancesPrevents the abuse of power in governmentEach branch can check each other branch

Executive ChecksPropose laws to CongressVeto laws made by CongressNegotiate foreign treatiesAppoint federal judgesGrant pardons to federal offenders

Legislative ChecksOverride presidents vetoRatify treatiesConfirm executive appointments (S.C. Judges, Cabinet Officials)Impeach federal officers and judgesCreate and dissolve lower federal courts

Judicial ChecksDeclare executive acts unconstitutionalDeclare laws unconstitutionalDeclare acts of Congress unconstitutionalThe Supreme Court holds the final check