Chapter Five U.S. History Mr. Kissam A More Perfect Union 1777 to 1790 Chapter Five U.S. History Mr. Kissam

The Articles of Confederation The Big Idea The Articles of Confederation provided a framework for a national government. Main Ideas The American people examined many ideas about government. The Articles of Confederation laid the base for the first national government of the United States. The Confederation Congress established the Northwest Territory.

After the war, Britain still did not really recognize or respect the new “United States” and kept most of their troops in America despite the “Treaty of Paris” (felt they were weak and would eventually fall).

Ideas about Government The Americans declared their independence in 1776 and now must form a new government. The American people examined many ideas about government.

English Laws and the Enlightenment One source of inspiration was the rule of law, which limits even the power of government officials, such as kings. English laws that limited the power of the king were the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights.

Manga Carta The purpose of Magna Carta was to require British royalty to obey the same laws as the British people.

English Laws and the Enlightenment Many Americans were influenced by the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that emphasized the use of reason to examine old ideas and traditions.

English Laws and the Enlightenment Famous men of the Enlightenment were John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu. John Locke believed a social contract existed between political rulers and the people they ruled

English Laws and the Enlightenment Montesquieu argued that liberty can only be achieved by a separation of government powers.

American Models of Government Early models of self-government were town meetings, the Virginia House of Burgesses, and the Mayflower Compact. Connecticut wrote the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the English colonies first written constitution.

American Models of Government The constitution of each state limited government and protected rights of citizens. The Massachusetts constitution of 1780 is the oldest state constitution still in effect.

American Models of Government All of the states limited the power of the governor (did not want a single ruler with too much power)

American Models of Government Most states also created a “bicameral” government (two houses) to split power with the governors (would be popularly elected to keep the people involved and actually have MORE power than the governor)

American Models of Government Thomas Jefferson’s ideas on religious freedom were written in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom declared that people could not be forced to attend a church or pay taxes for a church.

Right to Vote Many state constitutions provided suffrage, or the right to vote, to most white men who paid taxes. Only landowners could run and hold public office.

The Articles of Confederation Most Americans wanted to have a “republic” (where citizens elect representatives to speak for them), but could not agree on how

The Articles of Confederation Many were reluctant to give too much power to the U.S. government (really wanted 13 independent, smaller nations who worked together)

The Articles of Confederation The Second Continental Congress passed the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777, and sent them to each state for ratification. The first national government of the United States was established after the last state ratified the Articles in March 1781.

The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation created a national government with limited powers. Congress could settle conflicts among states, make coins, borrow money, ask states for money and soldiers, and make treaties with other nations. States had the power to refuse requests. There was not a president or a national court system.

State Power vs. U.S. Power

The Articles of Confederation The problem was that it was like a paper tiger (no power to do really anything the states did not want to do).

Americans Head West By 1790, over 120,000 settlers lived in the land west of the Appalachian Mountains and wanted to join the new U.S. (but Congress had no rules for the addition of new lands)

American Territory In the 1780’s, all the states (except Georgia) gave up claims to these western lands to allow the new U.S. government to deal with the land.

Northwest Territory Congress passed Land Ordinance of 1785 to raise money to pay debts. Ordinance provided for surveying and dividing western lands. Land was split into townships. Each township was divided into lots for sale to the public. One lot most have been reserved for a public school and veterans.

Northwest Territory Congress passed Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established Northwest Territory and developed an admission for new states to join the Union Included what are now the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

“The Northwest Territory”

Northwest Territory The Northwest Territory would be divided into smaller territories with a governor appointed by Congress. When the population of the territory reached 60,000 its settlers could draft their own constitution and join the Union. The Northwest Ordinance required the provision of public education and banned slavery

Questions pages 152-155 What documents did Americans look to when creating a new government? (152-153) Describe three key ideas that influenced US governments? (152-153) What was the ratification process for the Articles of Confederation? (154) What was the purpose of the Land Ordinance of 1785? (155) What important rights did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provide? (155)