2.3 Articles of Confederation

Essential idea Explain the weaknesses and achievements of the Articles of the Confederation

So we’re Independent…now what? By 1777 Congress established the Articles of Confederation More of a league of friendship rather than a strong national govt By 1781 all 13 colonies had ratified it

Government under the Articles Central govt was unicameral: single chamber of congress States had representatives in Congress No executive No federal courts

Congressional Powa’s Make war and peace Enter into treaties Raise and equip navy Maintain army by requesting troops from states Establish post offices Decide disputes among states

The Articles were WEAK! The Articles created a really weak national govt No state intended to give up sovereignty to a central govt Still had fear of what a strong national govt could be capable of….remember king Georgie?!

Weaknesses Congress couldn’t: Levy/collect taxes No power to regulate trade No power to force states to obey laws by Articles Amending Articles required consent of all states No executive branch No national court system

A Few Achievements… Established fair policy for developing land west of Appalachians Made peace treaty with Great Britain in 1783 Recognized US independence Set up various governmental departments Set precedent for cabinet depts

So what’s the problem…everything! Boundary line disputes between states States dealt with foreign nations Govt owed 40 million in debt from American Revolution Economic depression left farmers pissed Shay’s Rebellion Daniel Shay and group of armed farmers closed courts in order to prevent them from losing farms Then adv on fed arsenal Scared peeps and many were ready to agree to a stronger nat’l govt

Let’s get together! Shay’s Rebellion prompted meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 Purpose of meeting was to “revise” the Articles Goal was to make national govt more effective

2.4 Constitutional Convention Essential idea: Describe the making of the Constitution.

Convention Begins Washington presided No public or press allowed! Key agreements going in: Abandon the Articles Limited/representative govt Separation of powers Strengthen national govt

Not as easy as it looks… How do we put all of these ideas into practice? Lots of disagreements Biggest over the type of legislature that would be created How would states be represented?

Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan 3 branches: legislative, executive, judicial Bicameral legislature Rep. based on population Problem: larger states would be in control New Jersey Plan: Unicameral legislature Equal representation of all states Plural executive Wanted more power to the states Wanted to amend the articles

The Big Question How should the states be represented in Congress? Representation based on population OR Should all states have equal representation

Lets just get along! Connecticut Compromise settled the dispute over representation Called for a legislature with 2 houses House of Representatives based on population Senate given 2 representatives from each state

The Slavery Question Disagreement over rep. in the House due to slaves South wanted them counted as free to get more rep. 3/5’s Compromise: 3/5 of enslaved population would be counted for tax/rep. purposes Delegates knew southern states wouldn’t accept a constitution that outlawed slavery So…they straight up ignored the issue!

The first Political fist fight! Federalists Favored Const. Argued for strong federal govt Didn’t think a Bill of Rights was necessary cuz the states had ‘em Promised to address issue after ratification Antifederalists Opposed Const. Argued for a Bill of Rights Worried the federal govt would abuse power w/o them

Let’s Gett’er Done! 9 of the 13 states needed to ratify Const in order for it to be accepted Small states ratified quickly Larger states slower Madison/Jay wrote “the Federalist” in order to push for ratification Const. ratified by 1791!