USHC Analyze how dissatisfactions with the government under the Articles of Confederation were addressed with the writing of the Constitution in 1787 including the debates and compromises reached at the Philadelphia Convention and the Ratification of the Constitution.

Ordinance – law passed by a government Tariff- tax on imported goods Commerce – buying/selling goods on a large scale (in a state or nation) Federal – government in which power is shared at a national and state level Confederation – government in which power is held primarily at the state/local level. Ratify – to officially approve Bicameral – two legislative “houses”

During Revolution, Second Continental Congress ran the war effort for Americans After Revolution, Americans must create a government Did not want anything resembling a monarchy – no more bossy king!! Enjoyed local control that the colonial assemblies provided.

Document that was the foundation of British Political and Judicial systems Recognized Englishmen’s right to be consulted on taxation (No taxation without representation) Guaranteed trial by jury of peers Colonial Charters guaranteed colonists the rights of Englishmen

Rules were clear, well- understood, and fairly enforced Colonists brought English laws to the New World Rule of Law Everyone must obey the law…even the King

Guaranteed Englishmen certain “inalienable” rights. Was influential in the creation of colonial governments and the U.S. Constitution Rights that were guaranteed: No taxation without proper representation Power of the King is limited by Parliament Religious freedom

Articles of Confederation Created following the Revolution as the first written government for the US. Colonial, now state assemblies still maintained power in each state National government intentionally created weak to avoid a strong central leader like a king/queen.

To declare war and make peace To coin and borrow money To create treaties with other countries To operate post offices Land Ordinance of 1785 & Northwest Ordinance of 1787 States did not have to obey No power to tax No power to enforce law No national army/navy No court system States created own currency States placed tariffs on goods from other states Congress very weak Legislative issues – hard to pass laws or amend AofC STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

Existing states in the east gave up their claims to lands west of Ohio River. Process for State Admission into US 1. 60,000 residents 2. Freedom or religion 3. Banned slavery 4. Establishment of public funding of education (16 th tract).

The Articles of Confederation suffered from all of the following weaknesses EXCEPT A. Individual states could choose to ignore the federal government B. There was no ability to create a standing military force for the country C. No organized way to settle western lands was created D. Congress was given very little power to control currency or trade

Problems with international trade Other countries found it difficult to negotiate with 13 different states Trade laws and tariffs varied No power to tax or control currency Could only request taxes from states States created own currencies “Interstate” commerce hindered Disputes between states Congress had no power to solve disputes since states maintained power

Weak central government could not deal effectively with other countries British maintained their soldiers and forts in US territory Foreign countries had to deal with 13 state assemblies instead of one government Negotiating difficult since government did not have money States tended to have their own agenda and were not loyal to national government Countries had no fear of US – no army/navy

Structure of government under A of C No executive branch – enforce law No judiciary branch – settle disputes Congress very weak Each state got one vote Passing laws difficult - ¾ vote = 75% Shays’ Rebellion (Daniel Shays) Farm towns in Massachusetts Economic depression creates difficult times and bank foreclosures Revolution veterans still not paid Riots to shut down courts State militias finally put down rebellion Showed weakness of national government

Power To Tax Power to Maintain Army Power to Control Interstate Commerce Power to Control Currency

Judicial Branch to Mediate Disputes Exclusive Right to Make Treaties No Stance on Slavery (address the issue in 20 years) Executive Branch to Enforce Laws

Federal System -Power shared between states and central government Easier to Amend-only 3/4 th vote needed Separation of Powers - Government divided into 3 branches Checks and Balances - Each of the 3 branches of government limits the powers of the others

To avoid creating a central government that could be too strong, the writers of the Constitution divided authority into separate branches. This process is known as which of the following? A. Checks and balances B. Separation of powers C. Federalism D. Democracy

Connecticut Compromise AKA The Great Compromise VA Plan-Representation based on Population NJ Plan-Equal Representation CT Compromise- Bicameral Legislature with one house based on population (House of Representatives) and one with equal representation (Senate) 3/5ths Compromise Debate on who should be counted for representation South-Count slaves toward population North-Do NOT count slaves 3/5ths Compromise- Slaves count as 3/5ths of a person towards representation

Power shared between states and central government Constitution states that the authority to govern was granted by “We, the people,” not the states House of Representatives given the power tax so they were directly elected by people Didn’t want people to have too much power: Electoral College to determine President and indirect election of the Senate.

Ratified by special state conventions--9 states needed Created a controversy between supporters and opponents Supporters- Federalists Opponents- Anti- Federalists

Federalists Wanted a Strong National Government Represented the Elites Located Mostly in Coastal Areas Viewed Constitution as Best Possible Solution to Governmental Problems Anti-Federalists Fearful of a Strong National Government Represented Farmers and the poor Located Mostly in the Backcountry Felt States Could Better Represent Needs of the People Wanted a Bill of Rights Added to Protect Individual Liberties From Abusive Government

Series of Essays Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to Encourage Ratification of Constitution Supported Strong Central Government to Protect Individual Rights but Not So Strong that it Threatened Liberties of the People Bill of Rights Added to Constitution to Protect Individual Rights