The Critical Period

The Articles of Confederation (1777) A.First National Government of the United States. B.Established “a firm league of friendship” among the states. C.Strong state governments. D.Weak national government E. Congress was created. 1. each state had one vote 2. unicameral body F. No executive or judicial branches.

Congress Under the Confederation A. Could make war and peace. B. Send and receive ambassadors. C. Enter into treaties. D. Borrow money, set up a monetary system. E. Raise an army, build a navy. F. Fix standards of weights and measures. G. Settle disputes between the states. H. States provide the funding.

Problems of the Confederation Government The Americans had to find a new government to replace British rule. The new government lacked money and power.

Problems with the Western Lands How were the western lands to be divided and governed? Many states were making claims on this land. The Confederation Government settles these disputes by passing two laws.

Land Ordinance of 1785 This law set up a system to divide and sell lands east of the Mississippi River, north of the Ohio River, and west of the Appalachian Mountains.

1787-The Northwest Ordinance This law stated that no fewer than three states and no more than five states would be created out of the territory of the Land Ordinance of Each state would enter free of slavery and have rights equal to those of the other states.

The Five States of the Northwest Territory The Five States created from the Northwest Ordinance 1.Ohio Michigan Indiana Wisconsin Illinois-1818 Money is now the major problem for the government.

Weakness of Congress under the Articles of Confederation A.Had no power to tax. (pay war debt) B.Had no power to enforce the laws it made. C.Couldn’t keep law and order, or solve the economic problems. (Shay’s Rebellion)

Movement for Change Congress calls all states to send delegates to Philadelphia. (Feb 21,1787) Realization that improvements to Articles would not be enough, led to the creation of a constitution. The meeting becomes the Constitutional Convention.

The Constitutional Convention 1787 Delegates met daily from may 1787-september Delegates agree on a Congress made up of representatives from all states. Large states wanted representation based on population. Small states wanted equal representation for all states.

A Convention of Compromises. 1. The Great Compromise- Congress would be divided into two houses. (Connecticut Compromise) A. The Senate- all states have two representatives. B. The House of Representatives- all states representation would be based on their population. (65) 2. The Three/Fifths Compromise- Every five slaves would be equal to three men in determining a states population in the House of Representatives.

The Constitutional Convention The constitution set up a federal system of government. The federal government made up of a strong national government. The federal government shares power with the state and local governments.

Ratification of the Constitution In order for the Constitution to go into effect it had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen states. Ratification means approval or to approve. The Constitution is finally approved in July of The Congress chose March 4, 1889 as the date for the meeting of the new Congress.

The New Government under the Constitution Three Branches of Government under the Constitution. The Legislative Branch- (Congress)This part of the government was the law making part of the government. The Executive Branch- (President) This part of government carries out, puts in effect, executes, and enforces the laws. The Judicial Branch- (Courts) This part of the government makes laws are legal and decides the guilt or innocence of a person charged with breaking laws.