State Constitutions As the war was being fought, the colonies wrote new constitutions: By 1777, ten of the thirteen had new constitutions Most were ratified by state legislatures Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina by direct vote Common features: Each had a “Bill of Rights” Separation of Powers – to safeguard against tyranny of executive Voting rights extended to all property owning white males Office holders usually held to higher requirement of ownership At the same time, after 1776, the Second Continental Congress attempted to create a new central government

The Articles of Confederation As Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, John Dickinson drafted the Articles Adopted by Congress in 1777 and sent to the states for ratification Ratified in March 1781 Structure of the government: Each state had one vote 9/13 to pass a law Unicameral Congress Unanimity required for amendment Powers given to Congress: Power to make war Send and receive diplomats Borrow money Powers denied Congress Regulate commerce No executive power Collect taxes – relied upon states

The Articles of Confederation Accomplishments: Winning the war Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Problems: Financial Most war debts were unpaid after Revolution Individual states had printed paper money Congress could only request money Foreign Britain and Spain were attempting to take advantage Domestic Shay’s Rebellion in January 1787 No national judiciary No executive branch

Revising the Articles of Confederation Madison and Hamilton suggest to Annapolis Convention in 1786 a meeting “for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.” Issues at the “Constitutional Convention” Representation Slavery Trade Powers of the President Ratification Read from pg. 175 and stop at “The Clash of Federalists and Anti-Federalists” for Monday.

Homework Assignment Log on to wshsfernandez.yolasite.com and then click the link to “constitutionfacts.com” under Unit One Lesson Plans Browse the tabs under The Articles of Confederation Be sure to read the John Hanson story! Take the quiz – 20 questions – I will select at least five of these questions for your Unit One Test.