The Articles of Confederation & The Constitutional Convention
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation 13 out of 13 (colonies) to amend. Representatives were frequently absent. Could not tax or raise armies. No executive or judicial branches.
Land Ordinance of 1785 Since Congress cannot directly impose taxes on US citizens, they sold newly acquired plots of land instead to raise $.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 One of the major accomplishments of the Confederation Congress!->adding new states instead of expanding existing states. Statehood achieved in three stages: 1.Congress appointed 3 judges & a governor to govern the territory. 2.When population reached 5,000 adult male landowners elect territorial legislature. 3.When population reached 60,000 elect delegates to a state constitutional convention.
The United States in 1787
Shays’ Rebellion: Small farmers angered by crushing debts and taxes. Daniel Shays led march on United States Federal Armory in Springfield, MA. Military Forces from MA defeated rebellion, but this raised red flags on limit of federal gov’t under Articles.
Shays’ Rebellion: There could be no stronger evidence of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders. -- George Washington
Constitutional Convention A convention was called from May 25 to September 17, 1787 to fix the failing Articles of Confederation. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Delegates from 12 states attended most of the meetings (Rhode Island did not attend) Debates closed to the public
Who’s Who at the Convention? Alexander Hamilton –A Strict Federalist George Washington –Unanimously elected president of the convention
James Madison –Considered the ‘father of the constitution’ because of all the notes he kept Roger Sherman –Helped to develop the ‘Great Compromise’ Benjamin Franklin –Famous diplomat (travelled to foreign countries)
Issues facing the Convention How should people be represented in government? What should Congress look like? What should people do about slavery?
Representation The Virginia Plan –Wanted a bicameral Congress –States would gain reps based on the population –Wanted for a national government that consisted of three branches with supreme power Legislative, executive, judicial –Supported by larger states of the south
Representation The New Jersey Plan –One house Congress (unicameral) –All states have an equal vote (similar to the Articles of Confederation) –States were thought of as independent –Support by the smaller states
The Great Compromise Suggested by Roger Sherman Bicameral Congress: –The House of Representatives Based on state’s population (435 members today) –Senate Represented by an equal number from each state (100 members today)
Should slaves count in the population? The south wanted to count slaves as part of their population while northern states did not want this. Why?
The Three-Fifths (3/5) Compromise For every five slaves, the state would receive a count of three people towards their representatives Created by James Wilson and Roger Sherman
Another Problem!? Nearly every state agreed that there was a need for strong central figures, such as a president. However, the issue of how to elect the new president, and about how that office should be served arose.
Southern States Wanted the state legislations to elect the president Wanted the president to serve a short term Wanted a limit on the number of terms a president could serve
Northern States Wanted the direct election of the president by qualified voters Wanted a longer term for the president Did not want any limits on the number of terms a president could serve
Presidential Compromise Indirect election of the president by the Electoral College 4 year term No limit on the number of terms* * A two limit term was added by the 22 nd amendment in 1951
Ratification In order to make the constitution official, 9 of the 13 states had to approve Special elections were held –delegates were chosen by voters for a state convention –Those delegates would vote to approve or reject the constitution. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists…