Chapter 2: Origins of American Gov’t Section 3: The Critical Period

I. Articles of Confederation The United States’ first gov’t. Established a “firm league of friendship” and each state kept sovereignty.

Gov’t Structure- Congress was the only body created (unicameral) a.) each state had one vote in Congress,no matter their size. b.) There was no executive or Judicial branch.

2. Powers of Congress Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Make treaties Borrow money Set up a money system Build a navy Raise an army Settle disputes

3. State Obligations Each state had to obey and provide funds and troops as Congress requested.

4. Weaknesses One vote for each state, regardless of population. Congress was powerless to collect taxes. Congress powerless to regulate interstate commerce. No executive to enforce acts of Congress. No national court system.

f.) Amendments only with the consent of all states. g.) articles only “a firm league of friendship”

II. The Critical Period With a central gov’t unable to act, the states bickered among themselves.

III. A Need for Stronger Gov’t The articles could not deal with the nation’s problems.

1. Annapolis Sept. 11, 1786 A meeting was organized, but there was a poor turnout.

Feb. 21, 1787 States came together in Philadelphia and this became the constitutional convention.

Section 4: Creating the Constitution Chapter 2: Origins of American Gov’t Section 4: Creating the Constitution

I. Framers- the group of delegates who attended the Philadelphia convention

II. Organization and Procedure 1. Working in secrecy- The framers decided to keep their meetings private.

2. A Momentous Decision The Philadelphia convention was called to revise the Articles of Confederation, but almost immediately delegates decided to create a new gov’t.

III. The Virginia Plan Largely the work of James Madison.

1. The Plan Called for a new gov’t with three separate branches. The Congress would be bicameral (2 houses). Each houses representatives would be based on population. The Senate was to be chosen by the House.

IV. The New Jersey Plan Congress a.) Unicameral Congress with each state represented equally. b.) Congress would be allowed to tax and regulate trade.

2. Executive a.) Called for multiple executives chosen by Congress.

V. Compromises The Connecticut Compromise a.) Congress would be bicameral. b.) In the Senate states would be represented equally. c.) In the House representatives would be based on a state’s population.

2. A “Bundle of Compromises” The Constitution is often called a bundle of compromises because all 12 states had to compromise to form a new gov’t.

Section 5: Ratifying the Constitution

I.The Fight for Ratification 1. Federalists- favored ratifying the Constitution. a.) they stressed the weaknesses of the Articles.

2.Anti Federalist Opposed the ratification of the Constitution.

3. New York The Last Key State a.)The Federalist Papers- a collection of 85 essays supporting the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison.

Jay Madison Hamiliton

II. Inaugurating the Gov’t 1. Congress- Meet on March 4, 1788 2. President- George Washington was elected president of the US