Confederation to Constitution

CONFEDERATION TO CONSTITUTIONChapter 8

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v=h10eSXRFsTM

ESSENTIAL QUESTION How did the Americans create a national

government that respected both the Independence of states and the rights of individuals?

SECTION 1 IMPORTANT TERMS Shay’s Rebellion: uprising of Massachusetts farmer who

demanded debt relief. Northwest Territory: Land NW of App. Mts. Covered by the land

ordinance of 1785 Articles of Confederation: plan for national government ratified

in 1781. Confederation Congress: national legislative body formed by

the Articles of Confederation. Land Ordinance of 1785: law that est. A plan for dividing the

federally owned lands west of the App. Mts. Northwest Ordinance: law that described how the Northwest

Territory was to be governed. Republic: state, country, or nation which people elect

representatives to govern. Ratification: act of official confirmation Levy: impose or raise a tax Arsenal: place where weapons are stored

THE CONFEDERATION ERA After Revolutionary War – to have were

economic hardships- states continue to have high taxes.

Shay’s Rebellion: -uprising of farmers protesting against unfair taxation.

FORMING A NEW GOVERNMENT People before opposed a harsh rule from a

distance. Goal was to prevent governmental tyranny in

a new nation. Agreed the new national to be a republic- a

country in which people choose representatives to govern them.

Property owners –white males who could vote African Americans and women could not

vote.

STATE CONSTITUTION LEAD THE WAY

Each state was to create their own government

Farmers wanted to make colonial systems more representative

Some states gave different powers to different parts of the government.

Limited powers of Governors 1st constitutional document – (Virginia’s

Constitution of 1776) It protected

Freedom of Press Freedom of Religion

Realized they had to form a United Government

Diplomat John Dickinson- “By united we stand, by divided we fall.”

THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Delegates disagreed on how each state gets

one vote or by population Disagreed on control of the Northwest

Territory Congress agreed on a plan of Articles of

Confederation National Government would be run by

legislative Body called Confederation Congress

POWERS OF CONGRESS Wage war Make Peace Sign treaties Run Indian affairs Issue money or borrow money Each state had one vote in congress

States Powers Set taxes Enforce National laws

Articles sent to Ratification (approval) But some states refused to sign because

didn’t have land claims in Western Frontier. 1. sell lands to pay debts- disadvantages to

small. Worried big states would become to powerful

In 1781 finally ratified after states gave up claim from Western Lands

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES Realized Confederation Congress was to

weak to deal with most national issues.Land Ordinance of 1785 To lay out land in a six mile square plot /

townships/ lands Northwest Territory Ohio Indiana Michigan Illinois Wisconsin Minnesota

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecfS2AeNavo

NORTHWEST ORDINANCE Outlined how the Northwest territory was to

be governed 60,000 people could apply to be a state Freedom of Religion Rivers open to all Trial by Jury Helped with orderly growth of the United

States.

PROBLEMS WITH BRITAIN AND SPAIN Britian competed against America fur trade. Britain banned American ships in British

waters. Spain banned American ships in Carribbean Spain refused to allow Americans to use

Mississippi River or deposit goods in New Orleans.

Spain and Congress argued over boundary of Florida.

Problems with foreign relations – revealed weakness in National government.

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AND SHAY’S REBELLION Trade weakened – serious economic crisis Didn’t have power to levy or collect taxes-

(national government) State sent little money could not afford

(states and people) Hoped to solve problems by giving more

power to national government.

SECTION 2Creating the Constitution

oCall for a Constitutional Conventiono1786 Delegates from 5 states

meet in Annapolis, Maryland.o1. promote trade among states- “High tax amongst states

o2 creating a trade laws- National would help economics.

They would have to amend “Articles of Confederation” Because National Government had no

regulations on trade among states. Alexander Hamilton- Convention in Philadelphia-

all sent delegates (except Rhode Island)

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION May 25, 1787- Convention Opened

Delegates voted for George Washington (President of the Convention)

James Madison – Virginia delegate – shaped the constitution. He took detailed notes –on ideas from the proceedings.

WHO WAS THERE? Constitutional Convention - 55 delegates Delegates known as Founders or Founding

Fathers of the U.S. Popular Sovereignty- Is a government

system in which people rule. Who was missing?

Jefferson and Adams- oversees diplomat posts. Patrick Henry – refused to go –said, “He smelled

a rat towards monarchy.”

Convention did not reflect on diversity of U.S. Population Native mericans African Americans Women In the future will give full rights to all American

citizens

SOME CHALLENGES OF THE CONVENTION People and states that have conflict need

government order Government that protects people’s rights but

does not oppress them.

DISAGREEMENTS OVER REPUTATION Two forms of New Government Virginia Plan – Edmund Randolph 1. executive branch---- enforce the laws 2. judicial branch----- interpret the laws 3. legislative branch---- Create the laws

1. Upper house 2. Lower House

Number of representatives based on population or its wealth

Checks and balances- Controlling power of government

New government designed to limit abuse Small states objected the plan Gave more power to larger populations

NEW JERSEY PLAN William Paterson Like the Articles of Confederation Single House government Each state had a single vote The Great Compromise

1787 passed plan Roger Sherman –deal Great Compromise Each state had an equal number of votes House of Represenatives – it was based on

population

CHALLENGES OVER SLAVERY House of represenatives based on

population. How to decided about slaves.

3/5 Compromise Southern states had more slaves than the

northern states. South- wanted slaves counted and disagreed

on banning slavery North- Did not want slaves counted, only for

taxation. They wanted slavery outlawed.

Compromised that 3/5 slaves would be counted.

1. Representation in legislation 2. taxationSouth Carolina and Georgia said they would

not sign anything. The right to import slaves would be untouched.

Congress agreed that they couldn’t ban slavery until 1808.

SECTION 3RATIFICATION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS Anti Federalists: People who opposed

constitution Pamphlet: sent out by Mercy Otis Warren-

concerns about people ruling the nation. Once the pamphlet was circulating the

farmers wanted to ratify the constitution at once.

CONCERNS OF THE FEDERALISTS Take too much power away from the states Federalism- is a system of government

shared power by federal and state government.

Federalist- people who supported the constitution.

The Federalist Papers: Promoted and answered their critics about the Constitution.

Writers: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

Reasons why people should ratify constitution.

CONCERNS OF THE ANTI-FEDERALISTS Too much power taken away from states. Didn’t guarantee rights to people. Strong President be declared king. Feared Senate to powerful, liberties be lost. Rural areas supported- Anti- Federalist – do to

Tax Burden Large states and strong economies- Had

more freedom under Articles of Confederation.

BATTLE FOR RATIFICATION Constitution had nothing to protect the

Rights of People. Thomas Jefferson wanted to add Bill of

Rights- A summary of Citizen’s Rights and Freedoms – set amendments to the Constitution.

CALL FOR A BILL OF RIGHTS Patrick Henry and George Mason- were ant

federalist Wanted Guarantee that people would have

Freedom of speech Freedom of Religion Freedom of Press Trial by Jury Right to Bear Arms

Federalists yielded to demand. Added the Bill of Rights

Majority Rule

BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE CONSTITUTION Madison proposed ten amendments to

constitution (Bill of Rights) Bill of Rights

1st nine amendments – Basic individual Rights Government shall not favor one religion over

another or interfere with anyone’s religious Freedom.

1st amendment (separation of church and state) Protects people from government abuse

AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION 2/3 of each house of Congress or State

Legislative to propose a amendment To become a law ¾ approval of states Bill of Rights – 1st ten amendments – 17

amendments have been added since.