A More Perfect Union (1777-1791)

What events led to the creation & ratification of the US Constitution? Essential Question What events led to the creation & ratification of the US Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation In November of 1777, the Articles of Confederation were adopted as the US’s first constitution. The Articles of Confederation created a weak national government, in which most of the power was given to the individual state governments. NH MA MD RI DE CT GA NY SC NC PA VA NJ

Under this agreement, the Confederation Congress was given the power to conduct foreign affairs, borrow money, create an army, and issue currency. However, they were at the mercy of the state legislatures if they needed money or troops.

Even after Maryland became the last state to approve the Articles of Confederation on March 1st, 1781, making it official, congress struggled to pass laws because it needed at least 9 of the 13 states to approve any of its actions.

The Real First President? Finally, there was no judicial (court system) branch, and the presidency (executive) was a powerless office. That is why John Hanson, who was the first president of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, is not a household name. The Real First President?

Summary Questions What were the Articles of Confederation? Give two examples as to why they failed to truly unite the United States of America.

The Northwest Ordinance (1787) By the 1780’s, nearly 100,000 Americans were living west of the Appalachian Mountains. In 1787, the Northwest Ordinance was passed. This created the Northwest Territory out of lands north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River.

When the population of each yet to be named territory reached 60,000 people, it could apply for statehood. Also, slavery and indentured servitude were not allowed in any part of the territory. Why Important? It set a precedent (an example of how things will happen in the future) for how the US would expand westward. Instead of expanding existing states, new states were to be admitted. Established the PRECEDENT of a two term limit for the office of President of the US.

Shays’ Rebellion (1786) Economic depression combined with Revolutionary War debts led many farmers to lose their land. In Massachusetts, Daniel Shays led 1,000 farmers in an attempt to close courts so judges could no longer seize (take) farmers lands.

The rebellion was stopped, but it left Americans worried the national (federal) government was not strong enough to prevent future domestic (at home) uprisings, or worse, defend against foreign invaders. General Benjamin Lincoln Daniel Shays John Hancock

Summary Questions 1) What is a precedent, and what precedent did the Northwest Ordinance establish? 2) Explain why Shays’ rebellion led early American political leaders to believe a stronger federal (national) government was needed.

Constitutional Convention The Constitutional Convention (May – September, 1787)

In May of 1787, fifty-five delegates gathered in Philadelphia to draw up a new plan of government. Every state but Rhode Island sent delegates, and George Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention. Over the next four months, the delegates became deadlocked over two issues, representation and slavery.

The Father of the Constitution The Virginia Plan Virginia Governor Edmund Randolph proposed James Madison’s Virginia Plan, which called for a bicameral legislature, a chief executive, and a judicial branch. The plan favored the large states as representation in both legislative (law-making) houses was based on each state’s population. National (Federal) Government James Madison The Father of the Constitution Legislative Branch (Bicameral) Representation in both were based on state population Executive Branch Judicial Branch House of Representatives Senate

The New Jersey Plan William Paterson William Paterson also proposed the New Jersey Plan. This plan favored the small states as it kept a unicameral legislature based on equal representation, but also expanded the powers of Congress to tax and regulate trade. William Paterson National (Federal) Government Legislative Branch (Unicameral) Equal Representation Executive Branch Judicial Branch Congress

The Great Compromise The main issue dividing the large and small states was representation. However, Roger Sherman proposed what would come to be known as the “Great Compromise.” Roger Sherman (Connecticut) National (Federal) Government This called for the lower house’s (House of Representatives) representation to be based on state population, while the upper house (Senate) was given two representatives per state. Executive Branch Legislative Branch (Bicameral) Judicial Branch House of Representatives (Proportional to each state’s population) Senate (Equal Representation)

Three-fifths Compromise The delegates also agreed that slaves would be counted as 3/5’s of a person for both taxation and representation. Northern states also agreed to not interfere with the slave trade for 20 years.

3) Lastly, how was the question of slavery handled by the delegates? Summary Questions 1) What two issues did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention become deadlocked over? 2) Explain how the Great Compromise satisfied both the BIG and small states? 3) Lastly, how was the question of slavery handled by the delegates?

How was the Constitution Ratified?

How was the Constitution Ratified? On September 17th, 1787, 39/55 delegates signed the Constitution at the Pennsylvania State House. Copies of the document were then sent to each of the states for consideration. Before the Constitution could go into effect, 9 of the 13 states needed to ratify (officially approve) it.

After much debate between the Federalists (those in favor of the Constitution) and the Anti-Federalists (those opposed to it), and the promised addition of a Bill of Rights (The first ten amendments (official changes) to the US Constitution. Today, there are 27 amendments.), the Constitution was technically ratified on June 21st , 1788 when the ninth state, New Hampshire, adopted it. VS Anti-Federalists: Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Richard Henry Lee

However, to ensure every state was on board, it would take until May of 1790 for the final state, Rhode Island, to approve it.

Summary Questions 1) Who were the Federalists & the Anti-Federalists? 2) What compromise assured the Constitution’s ratification? 3) How many states needed to ratify the US Constitution for it go into effect, and which state triggered this?

George Washington’s Presidency Who? What? The leader of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first president of the United States under the US Constitution. Elected and Inaugurated in 1789 after the Constitution was ratified (officially approved). The only president to ever get 100% of the electoral vote (and he did it twice!) Refused, at first, to let Congress pay him because he was wealthy and saw himself as a servant of the people so he shouldn’t be paid!

- He only ran for president twice. Why Important? Judiciary Act of 1789 The act set up the Supreme Court to have 6 members, 5 Justices and 1 Chief Justice (John Jay) 2. He set many Precedents (an example that is followed by future US presidents.) - Appointed a cabinet of advisors to help him deal with issues during his presidency. - He only ran for president twice.

Washington’s Cabinet Thomas Jefferson = 1st Secretary of State Who & What was their role? 1. Secretary of State (Thomas Jefferson) - leads relations between the US & other nations. 2. Secretary of War (Henry Knox)- in charge of national defense. 3. Secretary of the Treasury (Alexander Hamilton) - in charge of the nation’s finances (money). Thomas Jefferson = 1st Secretary of State Wanted the expansion of state’s rights (fought for the Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution). Liked the idea that the federal government would be weak compared to the states. Wanted the US to be more rural and full of farmers. Would become part of the Democratic Republican Party. Alexander Hamilton = 1st Secretary of the Treasury A member of the Continental Congress & Constitutional Convention. Co-Authored the Federalist papers, wanted a strong federal government. Thought the way to pay for our Revolutionary War debts was to raise money through Tariffs (taxes on imported goods). Tariffs would raise money for the government, encourage American industry, & encourage Americans to buy more American-made goods! Thought the US should be urban (full of cities and manufacturing). 4. Attorney General (Edmund Randolph) – the US Government’s top lawyer and legal advisor.

Washington’s Farewell Address -1796 What? A letter of advice written to the American people near the end of Washington’s second term in office. What were his main points? Avoid entangling alliances with foreign countries. 2) Warned against the creation of political parties or factions (a group of people with common beliefs, wants, and desires.). Why Important? Although political parties developed despite his recommendation, the US did follow his advice regarding foreign policy (our relations with other countries).

Summary Questions 1) What is a presidential cabinet? 2) What to things did Washington warn the American people about in his Farewell Address? 3) Did the American people listen to either of his warnings? Explain.

End of the A More Perfect Union (1777-1791) Unit Test Date: TBD