Beginning a Nation Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

The Government That Failed Articles of Confederation First document to govern US, Adopted 1777; ratified in 1781 All states needed to ratify Established a confederation, among 13 states and former colonies. Congress had few powers All gov’t power rested w/ states

Powers of the National Gov’t Declare war and make peace Borrow money Declare weights and measures for currency But could not print money Deal with foreign countries and sign treaties on behalf of US Operate post offices

Weaknesses of the Articles States had all the power Could put tariffs between each other Stopped trade btw states National government could not: Tax Enforce laws amongst states Print money Each state printed their own Organize a system of national courts No national army or navy But federal gov’t was required to protect the country 9/13 states had to agree to amend the Articles

The Government That Failed Economic Turmoil Postwar depression left farmers unable to pay debts Sympathetic states favored debtors Shays’ Rebellion Attacks on courthouses to block foreclosures Led by Daniel Shays Questioned ability of states to keep order Economic elite concerned about Articles’inability protect property rights

The Annapolis Meeting Attempt to discuss changes of the AoC Only 12 people showed up representing 5 states Called for a meeting in May 1787 to discuss changes Known as the Constitutional Convention

The Philadelphia Convention Gentlemen in Philadelphia 55 men from 12 of the 13 states Rhode Island decided not to show up Most were wealthy planters and merchants College graduates Coastal residents from larger cities Who is the “Father of the Constitution”? James Madison

The Agenda in Philadelphia The Equality Issues Equality and Representation of the States New Jersey Plan—equal rep. in states Virginia Plan—population-based rep. Connecticut Compromise Two house legislature Senate – equal rep. House of Representatives – proportional to population Slavery Three-fifths compromise Political Equality and voting left to states

The Madisonian Model Constitutional Republic Republic: Form of gov’t where the people select representatives to govern and make laws Favors the status quo – change is slow

Five Principles of Government Popular Sovereignty Rule of the people provides legitimacy for the gov’t Limited Government Gov’t that is bound to certain principles by a constitution Federalism System that allows states to share power with the nat’l gov’t Each level has their own responsibilities Separation of Powers Providing different branches of gov’t with different but equal powers Checks and Balances Each gov’t branch balancing the others to ensure no one becomes too powerful

Ratifying the Constitution – The Federalists Federalist Papers 85 articles in support of ratifying the Constitution Large landowners, wealthy merchants, professionals Main Supporters (and writers): Alexander Hamilton John Jay James Madison Signed “Publius” to defend Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution – The Federalists Argued for: Said it was written in a way that would defend the people – all people, majority and minority Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Ability to check factions within the people Strong central gov’t Felt weak economic ties lead to a weak country

Ratifying the Constitution: The Anti-Federals Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers Collection of papers arguing against the ratification of the Constitution Main supporters: Thomas Jefferson James Monroe Patrick Henry Samuel Adams Signed “Cato” and “Brutus” but emphasized their worry about the possible tyranny of the federal gov’t

Ratifying the Constitution: The Anti-Federals Argued against: Power of the central gov’t Weaknesses of the state gov’t Felt states could better manage their revenue and money Lack of protection for the people Demanded a Bill of Rights to protect the people Worried about the tyranny of the federal gov’t