Constitution

Declaration of Independence Signed in 1776 proclaimed the right of the American colonies separate from Great Britain. State loyalty over national government So what comes next for the now sovereign states?

Need for Government! Articles of confederation Coin money establish peace relations with the Native Americans Required each state 1 vote in its continental congress Required 9 states to pass any sort of vote Establish trade with foreign nations

What could go wrong? Problems all stem from idea that the Articles of Confederation was a weak central government: Trade problems Boundary issues Money issues Articles of Confederation Ice Cube Tray!

How do we fix this? Constitutional Convention Virginia Plan (big) vs. New Jersey Plan (small) Which will prevail?

Neither!... Need for Compromise Mix and match from each plan: 1 house of legislature with Rep’s elected by the people; 1 representative for every 30,000 people. (rep’s based on population!) House that has the power to originate bills for raising and spending money 1 house of legislature with Rep’s selected by the state legislature. Each state has an equal amount of rep’s Divide power between national and state government National law is to be supreme!

Things aren’t so peachy after all! Great Compromise solves most problems but still leaves some states concerned. Three fifths compromise Shays Rebellion

Executive Branch How would this one person executive be selected? How long would their term be? Electoral College Removal process House of Representatives responsibility Senate’s responsibility