Post Revolutionary War

Set-Up Cornell Notes IN Pages 153-154 Title: Confederation to Constitution Essential Question: How and why was the U.S. Constitution created?

The Articles of Confederation During the American Revolution, the original 13 states ratified (or agreed to) a document called: The Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation Powers NOT GIVEN to the Federal Government in the Articles Powers Given to Federal Government in the Articles No power to enforce laws No power to levy taxes No power to regulate trade Required all 13 states to approve changes to the Articles Wage war Make peace Sign treaties Issue money

The Weakness of the Articles of Confederation Because the Federal government couldn’t levy taxes, they had no way of getting money to pay soldiers that had fought in the war. This led to rebellions and violence.

Shays’ Rebellion (IN Page 155) Read the section entitled Shays’ Rebellion from your textbook (pages 224-225) Record the Who, What, When, Where & Why of this event. Answer this question: Which side would you have supported during Shays’ Rebellion--- the farmers or the officials who called out the militia? Why?

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 Incidents such as Shay’s Rebellion and the need to establish interstate trade laws led to a convention in Philadelphia in 1787 Originally, these men came together to REWRITE the Articles of Confederation. After much debate, they ended up trashing the Articles and writing an entirely new document: OUR UNITED STATES COSTITUTION.

Constitutional Convention Twelve states sent delegates to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. Only Rhode Island refused to attend. The 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention became known as our Founding Fathers.

Constitutional Compromises Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan Great Compromise 3/5 Compromise

Federalists and Anti -federalists Once the Constitution was written, it had to be ratified – or agreed to by the states. Those people in favor of the Constitution were called FEDERALISTS. Those people opposed to the Constitution were called ANTI-FEDERALISTS.

Federalism Defined Federalism is a system of government in which power is shared between the central or (federal) government and the state governments.

The Federalist Papers Three well known politicians wrote The Federalist Papers and had them printed in New York newspapers. The Federalist papers argued in favor of ratifying the Constitution. John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison wrote the Federalist Papers.

The Bill of Rights James Madison drafted the Bill of Rights and sent these ten amendments to the Constitution to the states for ratification. In 1791 these rights became law.