The Articles of Confederation Our country’s first plan for a national government Ms. Sappington
Dec 28, 2015
Chapter 10 Lesson 1 Vocabulary
• constitution noun, a written plan for government
• Articles of Confederation noun, the country’s first plan for a national government
• territory noun, land ruled by a national government but which has no representatives in the government
• ordinance noun, a law
The Articles of ConfederationThe 13 colonies had fought for self-government. Each new state had a constitution to protect its citizens. Americans did not want to give up
their power to a strong, central government. The Continental Congress created the Articles of Confederation, which was the
country’s first plan for a national government. The states had more power than the national government. Congress could declare war, borrow and print money, and make treaties with other nations. It
could not start an army, create taxes, or control trade.People wanted to settle on land won in the Revolutionary War.
Congress passed two ordinances to control what happened in the Northwest Territories. The Land Ordinance of 1785 explained how the land would be measured, divided, and sold. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 explained the government of the Northwest Territory. It also
outlawed slavery in the territory.
Problems for the NationCongress owed money to banks and to other countries for the Revolutionary War. Congress could not raise money because it could not collect taxes. The states were not working together. They printed their own money. People could not agree on how much the money was worth. In Massachusetts, many farmers did not earn enough money to pay their debts and high state
taxes. If farmers did not pay, the state took their farms. In 1786, Daniel Shays led a rebellion of armed farmers. They
protested to stop the state government from taking farms. The state militia stopped them. Shays’s Rebellion showed that a
weak national government could not keep order. George Washington worried the government was not strong enough to protect people’s rights. In February 1787, Congress invited
state delegates to meet and change the Articles of Confederation to make the nation stronger.
Chapter 10 Lesson 2 Vocabulary
• federal adjective, a system of government in which the states share power with the central government
• republic noun, a government in which the citizens elect leaders to represent them
• compromise noun, both sides give up something to settle a disagreement
• ratify verb, to accept• Bill of Rights noun, a list of rights of individuals,
such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion
Leaders of the ConventionThe Constitutional Convention met in 1787. Delegates met to give Congress more power.
Delegates included only white, male landowners. Some delegates wanted a
republic. They thought a republic would protect citizens’ rights. Others wanted a federal
system. In a federal system, the central government could share power with the states, but the central government would have more
power.
Creating a New GovernmentJames Madison suggested that the government should have three
branches. One branch, the Congress, would make laws. A second branch would carry out laws. A third branch would settle legal arguments. States compromised in order to support the Constitution. Madison
wanted the number of delegates from each state to be based on the state’s population. Delegates from smaller states thought this would
give bigger states more power. Roger Sherman suggested dividing Congress into two parts. Each state would have the same number of
representatives in one house, the Senate. In the other house, the House of Representatives, the number of representatives would depend on the state’s population. Southern delegates wanted to count enslaved people
in their populations. Northern delegates believed they should not be counted. The states compromised. Every five enslaved persons were
counted as three free people. Some states wanted to end slavery. Southern states would not accept this. The states agreed to end the
slave trade by 1808.
Legislative BranchThe legislative branch of government is made up of the
Congress and government agencies, such as the Government Printing Office and Library of Congress, that provide assistance
to and support services for the Congress. Article I of theConstitution
established this branch and gave Congress the power to make laws.
Congress has two parts, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
SENATE
Executive BranchThe executive branch of Government makes sure that the laws of
the United States are obeyed. The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch of government. This branch is very
large so the President gets help from the Vice President, department heads (Cabinet members), and heads of independent
agencies. President: Leader of the country and commands the military. Vice President: President of the Senate and becomes
President if the President can no longer do the job. Departments: Department heads advise the President on issues and help carry
out policies. Independent Agencies: Help carry out policy or provide special services.
Judicial BranchThe judicial branch of government is made up of the court system. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land.
Article III of the Constitution established this Court and all other Federal courts were created by Congress. Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether they break the rules of the Constitution.
Ratifying the ConstitutionFederalists supported the Constitution. Anti-federalistswanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution. TheBill of Rights would protect the rights of individuals.
Federalists agreed. Nine of thirteen states were needed toratify the Constitution for it to become law. In June 1788,nine states agreed to ratify the Constitution. The country
had a new government.
Chapter 10 Lesson 3
• Preamble noun, the introduction to the Constitution• democracy noun, a government in which the people
have the power to make political decisions• legislative branch noun, the part of the government
that makes laws for the country• executive branch noun, the part of the government
that carries out laws made by Congress• judicial branch noun, the part of the government that
resolves conflicts about the meaning of laws and whether laws have been followed
A Plan for GovernmentIn the Preamble of the Constitution, the writers listed
the purposes of the Constitution. The Constitution tells us that our government is a democracy. It divides the government into three branches. The legislative branch, or Congress, makes laws and raises money. Congress also collects taxes to pay for services. The executive branch suggests and carries out the laws.
The President is the head of this branch. A new President is elected every four years. The judicial
branch is made up of courts. They decide what laws mean and whether they have been followed.
We the People of the United States, in Order to
form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure
domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America.
Limits on GovernmentThe Constitution includes checks and balances. They keepone branch from becoming stronger than the others. The
President makes treaties and chooses judges. Congress canreject these treaties or judges. Congress makes laws. The
President can veto these laws. The courts can decide if a lawfollows the Constitution. A law that is found unconstitutional
is no longer in effect.The Constitution creates a federal system. The national
government has power over national issues. This includesdefense, printing money, the postal service, and trade. State
governments have power over local issues. States controleducation and elections. Both systems share power as well,such as collecting taxes. Federal laws are stronger than state
laws. The highest law is the Constitution itself.
Changing the ConstitutionAn amendment is a change to the Constitution. The
first ten amendments are the Bill of Rights. They protect rights, such as freedom of speech. The tenth
amendment limits the power of the federal government. Many Americans wanted a Bill of Rights
added to the Constitution so that the Constitution could be changed as the country changed. In 1790, the
Constitution did not protect the rights of all Americans. People have fought for their rights and
won. Today the Constitution gives equal protection to more citizens.
Bill of Rights
**Amendment ICongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment IIA well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment IIINo soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IVThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
**Amendment VNo person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
**Amendment VIIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VIIIn suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
**Amendment VIIIExcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IXThe enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.