Founding A Nation

Based on this list and what you have learned, how would you design the new govt? Be specific. Proclamation Line of 1763 Sugar Act Stamp Act Townsend Act Tea Tax Intolerable Acts -Boston Massacre -Quartering Act -Battles of Concord and Lexington -Revolutionary War

I. Articles of Confederation, 1781 What kind of govt will work best for the new nation? Balance between: 13 united but individual states vs. need for centralized power Confederation = a group of states united under a weak central govt One-house Congress Each state representative cast one vote

No president No judiciary Major decisions needed approval of 9 of 13 Could declare war, conduct foreign affairs, make treaties with other govts, but could not draft troops Could coin money but could not levy taxes or regulate commerce To amend Constitution required unanimous consent- never happened

III. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.

II. Constitutional Convention May 1787, 55 delegates from 12 states (except Rhode Island) met in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation Strategically, many strong govt supporters had plans… Madison star of the show Washington chosen as presiding officer Hamilton’s obnoxious proposal: The “rich and well born” must rule for the masses “seldom judge or determine right”

II. Constitutional Convention Strong nationalists convince CC to abandon Articles & construct a new constitution Secret for 30 years Constitutional govt with limited powers Protect basic rights Strong national govt Republican govt

III. Virginia Plan Federal power vs. state power and small vs. large states = first debate Decided on stronger national govt with 3 branches Virginia Plan proposed bicameral legislature, representation based on population Lower house elected by ppl Upper house elected by lower from candidates named by state legs.

III. Virginia Plan Executive branch have veto over Congress Executive = person or committee??? Term limit??? Judicial branch have supreme judges & inferior courts chosen by legislature Basic outline of US Constitution

IV. New Jersey Plan Unicameral legislature Plural executive elected by Congress Judicial: Supreme Court chosen by executive Each state gets one vote Similar to Articles but more executive power Supported by small states

V. Great Compromise Roger Sherman proposed a bicameral legislature with a upper and lower house = Congress Upper house (Senate) = equal representation, chosen by state legisl. (6 year term) Lower house (House of Representatives) = representation based on population, elected by people (2 year term)

VI. Checks & Balances All agreed on 3 branches- check and balances- Montesquieu All agreed on single executive All decisions checked by one or two of other branches

XIII. Federalism Federalism is a system in which the power to govern is shared between national and state governments 10th amendment

XIV. Debate Over Slavery Slaveholders vs. abolitionists Slaves are property, they can’t vote but should they count as a state’s population for representation? This issue could divide the nation… Decision: Article I, Sec 9- delayed the issue for 20 years Fugitive slave clause, Article 4, Sec 2

Article I, Section 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

XV. Three-Fifths Clause For determining seats in the House and electoral college, three-fifths of slave population count South Carolina threatened disunion Embedded slavery deeper into American society/politics January 1, 1808- Congress prohibited slave importation

XVI. US Constitution Ratification needed 9 of 13 states Certainly not a forgone conclusion Some feared govt too strong and others felt it did not protect the people

XVII. The Federalist 100s of articles and pamphlets on both sides Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay as Publius wrote 85 essays in support of the new Constitution http://teachingamericanhistory.org/lessonpla ns/fed10/