Post-Revolutionary Tensions and the Articles of Confederation? Was the Articles of Confederation a good governing document? 9/14-15

A new Nation Attitude Politics Social Equality Model of liberty and equality Civic Virtue Politics Expanded suffrage New state constitutions Protection of individual rights Social Equality Slavery Role of Women republican motherhood

Articles of Confederation Written by 2nd Continental Congress (1777) and approved by states (1781) Created a “firm league of friendship” confederation: most decision-making takes place at the state level; the national government is very weak

Successes under the articles To convince states to ratify Articles, had promised to use disputed land for “common benefit” Land Ordinance (1785) – plan to organize Northwest Territory Divide and sell to pay war debts Some income used to support public education Northwest Ordinance (1787) – plan to admit new states from Northwest Territory Temporarily governed by federal appointees 5000 free males = create an assembly 60,000 inhabitants = apply for statehood No slavery; admitted on same level as original state

Challenges under the articles Economic Problems European trade restrictions Lots of war debt States not contributing money Worthless paper money Functioning as a Nation Lack of unity Boundary disputes Trade disputes Shays Rebellion (1787) Farmers in tremendous debt; farm foreclosures Demanded flexible money policy Armed conflict between protestors and state militia Doc. 4 Washington on Shays

Doc 4– Washington on Shay’s Rebellion What arguments does Washington give for the creation of a stronger union? Why does Washington not fear a stronger congress? What does Washington fear will happen if the U.S. continues down the same path?

From the Articles to the Constitution In what ways did the Constitution “fix” the problems of the Articles of Confederation?

Constitutional Convention The situation in the new nation? Why called? Who attended? How held? Issues of Concern?

A Bundle of Compromises Representation of States All states represented equally (New Jersey Plan) Representation based on population (Virginia Plan) Representation based on wealth Each chamber has a separate system (Great Compromise)

Selection of Legislators Chosen by popular election Chosen by state assemblies One chamber selected by other chamber Create 2 chambers with 2 systems

Organization of Executive Single executive with lots of power Committee with limited power Single executive with extensive power but checked by other branches

Selection of Executive Chosen by popular election Chosen by federal legislature States determine how to select delegates to Electoral College; electors cast ballots for executive Chosen by state committees

Slavery Get rid of it Keep it Count slaves in state’s population Federal government can’t abolish slave trade until 1808 (20 years); slaves counted as 3/5 a person in population Count slaves in state’s population Don’t count slaves in state’s population

Ratification of Constitution Allow the citizens to vote Allow the state legislatures to vote States call conventions; members of those conventions vote for ratification; once 9/13 ratify it’s the law of the land

PROBLEMS WITH THE ARTICLES Comparing the Plans PROBLEMS WITH THE ARTICLES CONSTITUTIONAL FIXES Who seems to benefit the most from this new system? Have they created a better system? A more democratic one?

Who were they? Who were they? What did they believe? FEDERALISTS ANTIFEDERALISTS Who were they? Small farmers and laborers Lived along the frontier Henry, Adams, Gerry What did they believe? Too extreme of a change, violates terms of Convention, and will ignore local needs Constitution creates a national government that will overwhelm state governments Constitution will lead to tyranny lacks a Bill of Rights President and Senate too similar to monarchy and aristocracy Who were they? More cultured, educated, and propertied Lived near seaboard and cities Madison, Hamilton, Marshall What did they believe? Constitution creates a republic that will protect against factions and is well suited for a large nation Constitution creates a federal system that strengthens central government while protecting states’ rights Constitution will provide for stability and prosperity

Get out your assigned HW from last class! Using your knowledge from last class pair up with someone that read the same perspective as you and answer the following. Are states represented appropriately in the plan proposed by the Constitution? Are you comfortable with the fact that the proposed Constitution does not include a Bill of Rights? Is it possible that the executive in the proposed Constitution will become too powerful? Do the people have enough say in the government proposed by the Constitution? Will the national government in the proposed Constitution overwhelm the state governments? Whose interests are most protected by the proposed Constitution? Will the proposed Constitution make our nation more secure and successful? What will happen to the nation if the proposed Constitution is not adopted? What is more important to society – liberty or order? What level of government is best able to respond to citizens needs – state or national?

Next Pair up with a person that had a different viewpoint as you and compare your answers and answer the following. What are three differences in opinion between the federalist and anti-federalist? In what ways could a compromise be obtained?

Ratification Presented to the states in September 1787 Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey quickly ratified Massachusetts won over by promise of prompt addition of Bill of Rights New Hampshire provided final “yes” Constitution officially adopted June 21, 1788 Wouldn’t truly claim legitimacy until adopted by Virginia and New York New York debate prompted publication of Federalist Papers – written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay Both states influenced by promise of Bill of Rights and fact that it would be hard to exist outside of the nation Rhode Island the final state to ratify in 1790

In-Class FRQ (tie to new test writing and thesis) To what extent was the United States Constitution a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation?