The Constitution (A Brief History)

Colonial Policies King controls the colonies, Parliament has little control 2,000 miles away- too hard to govern Colonies become used to self-governing Federal relationship More taxation

Colonial Unity Albany Plan Stamp Act Congress Ben Franklin’s idea: yearly congress of delegates Raise defense Trade Criminal matters Stamp Act Congress Act requires stamps on all paper products Delegates to New York- draft grievances against King

First Continental Congress Intolerable Acts Delegates to Philadelphia Low turnout Urge boycott and creation of local committees Call for a second congress the following May

The Second Continental Congress 1774- after Lexington and Concord Representatives All colonies send representatives George Washington attends and is elected to lead the army Becomes our first national government Served for 5 years until Articles of Confederation All powers in a unicameral legislature

Independence Committee of 5 drafts Declaration of independence- largely the work of Jefferson First state Constitutions Common features: Popular sovereignty Limited government Civil rights Separation of power and checks and balances

What are the Articles of Confederation? November 15, 1777 Established a firm league of friendship among the States “for their common defense, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare” Formal approval or ratification was needed by all 13 States

The Articles Of Confederation The Articles of Confederation established “a firm league of friendship”. Under this plan, each State kept “its sovereignty, freedom, and independence…”

Governmental Structure Congress was sole body Unicameral-delegates chosen yearly by state Each state had one vote No executive or judicial branch

Powers of Congress Establish a post office Make war and peace Build a navy Raise an army Fix uniform standards of weights and measures Settle disputes among the states Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Make treaties Borrow money Set up a money system

State Obligations Obey articles and acts of Congress Provide funs and troops Treat citizens of other states as equally as their own Surrender fugitives from justice to one another Submit their disputes to Congress Allow open trade and travel between and among States Retained those powers not explicitly given to the Congress

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation States were fiercely independent Weaknesses: Instability of Union No Judicial Branch No Executive Branch No Power to Regulate Commerce No Power to Tax Couldn’t provide for national defense Each state had one vote, regardless of size 9 of 13 required for law; Unanimous to amend

Critical Period States don’t support the federal government Make agreements with other nations Form their own militaries Taxed each others goods Printed own money Shays’ Rebellion Group of debtors lead a force to close the state courts Attack federal arsenal

The Constitutional Convention The Framers 12 states send delegates: not Rhode Island Average age: 42, most in their 30s Procedure George Washington elected President of the convention Worked in secrecy The decision: Not just amend but throw out the Articles

The Virginia Plan Madison Three branches Bicameral congress Power of veto Oath to support the federal government Considered radical

The New Jersey Plan Unicameral Congress Each state equal representation Plural executive Limited powers for tax and trade

Compromises Connecticut Three-Fifths A bundle of compromises Two house congress Senate equal number of reps House of Representatives based on population Three-Fifths All free persons are equal and slaves are 3/5 of all other persons A bundle of compromises

Ratification September 17th 1787 the Constitution is signed Nine states ratify however they need a key state such as New York or Virginia 1789- finally ratified and becomes the new national government