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Click a subsection to advance to that particular section. Advance through the slide show using your mouse or the space bar. Creating the Constitution (1781–1789) A Confederation of States Drafting the Constitution Ratifying the Constitution Creating the Constitution ( ) Witness History: Creating a Government for the New Nation

A Confederation of States Sec 1: A Confederation of States Early State Governments Main Idea: In 1776, each new state created a constitution and called for a republic, or government in which the people elect representatives. However, people thought differently about how to design a republic. People’s opinions varied on topics such as executive power, and freedom of religion. Congress Creates the Articles of Confederation Main Idea: In 1777, the Continental Congress drafted the original constitution for the union of the states. This constitution was known as the Articles of Confederation. Congress Creates a Plan for Western Lands Main Idea: The national congress created plans for settling and governing the Northwest Territory. By selling this land to speculators and farmers, the Congress hoped to raise revenues and extend America’s republican society westward. Conflicts With Spain and Britain Main Idea: During the mid-1780s, the Spanish and British did not take the new United States seriously. The Spanish forbade American trade with New Orleans, and Britain rejected Adam Smith’s new doctrine of free trade in favor of traditional mercantilism. Continued…

Sec 1: A Confederation of States (con’t) Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Main Idea: The fledgling government under the Articles of Confederation found itself facing a host of difficulties. It soon became clear to many that the Articles themselves were part of the problem, and many believed a stronger national government was the solution. Witness History: Creating a Republic Note Taking: Reading Skill: Identify Main Ideas Focus on Geography: Settling the Northwest Territory Color Transparencies: Changing the Government Quick Study: Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Color Transparencies: Shays’ Rebellion A Confederation of States (continued…)

Reading Skill: Identify Main Ideas Note Taking: Reading Skill: Identify Main Ideas NOTE TAKING

Settling the Northwest Territory Focus on Geography: Settling the Northwest Territory TRANSPARENCY

Changing the Government TRANSPARENCY Transparency: Changing the Government

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation QUICK STUDY Quick Study: Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Shays’ Rebellion TRANSPARENCY Transparency: Shays’ Rebellion

Drafting the Constitution Sec 2: Drafting the Constitution The Constitutional Convention Main Idea: Many Americans believe the Articles of Confederation needed revisions. Consequently, 12 of the 13 states sent delegates to a special convention in Philadelphia in May The delegates’ goal was to design a new and improved plan of government. Rival Plans of Government Main Idea: Before a constitution could be written and approved, the delegates needed to come to an agreement about what it should contain. To achieve this goal, they advanced and debated a number of proposals for several months, including the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. Settling Differences Through Compromise Main Idea: The delegates were far from a unanimous decision concerning a structure of a new government. The Great Compromise, which drew points from both the Virginia and New Jersey plans, outlined a potential solution. Witness History: The Father of the Constitution Note Taking: Reading Skill: Identify Supporting Details Color Transparencies: Dissenters to the Constitution Continued…

Drafting the Constitution (continued…) Sec 2: Drafting the Constitution (con’t) History Interactive: Interactive Constitutional Convention Diagram: Compromise Leads to a Plan of Government Decision Point: Should delegates to the Constitutional Convention ratify the Constitution

Reading Skill: Identify Supporting Details Note Taking: Reading Skill: Identify Supporting Details NOTE TAKING

Dissenters to the Constitution Transparency: Dissenters to the Constitution TRANSPARENCY

Compromise Leads to a Plan of Government Diagram: Compromise Leads to a Plan of Government DIAGRAM

Should delegates to the Constitutional Convention ratify the Constitution Decision Point: Should delegates to the Constitutional Convention ratify the Constitution DECISION POINT

Ratifying the Constitution Sec 3: Ratifying the Constitution The Struggle Over Ratification Main Idea: Two groups quickly emerged in the debate over the Constitution: the Federalists who favored ratification of the Constitution and the Antifederalists who opposed it. Initially, the Federalists gained more support than the Antifederalists. Ratifying Conventions Main Idea: By mid-January of 1788, the Federalists had won ratification in five states. These early victories created momentum. However, the Antifederalists mounted a strong fight in the remaining states whose support the Federalists sought. Principles of the New Constitution Main Idea: The Republic established by the Constitution of the United States became a symbol of freedom to countries around the world. Key principles of the Constitution included: popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, federalism, checks and balances, and representative government. The Constitution Endures Main Idea: The Constitution is a relatively brief document, consisting of only 7,000 words. Some politicians, like Thomas Jefferson, argued that it should be interpreted literally to restrict federal power. Most Federalists, including George Washington, insisted that the Constitution be read broadly to allow for the expansion of federal power when necessary. Continued…

Ratifying the Constitution (continued…) Sec 3: Ratifying the Constitution (con't) Witness History: A Hopeful Future Note Taking: Reading Skill: Identify Main Ideas Color Transparencies: Ratification of the Constitution Quick Study: Principles of the Constitutions

Reading Skill: Identify Main Ideas Note Taking: Reading Skill: Identify Main Ideas NOTE TAKING

Ratification of the Constitution Transparency: Ratification of the Constitution TRANSPARENCY

Principles of the Constitutions QUICK STUDY Quick Study: Principles of the Constitutions