Creating a Constitution

Americas Attempt at Government Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union Articles of Confederation Confederation Congress Declare war Could Not Raise armies Impose taxes Sign treaties Regulate trade

Success of the Confederation To raise $ they had to sell land west of the mountains Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance (1787) Promoted trade Established a trade economy better than what the colonies had before the war

The Congress Falters Cheap British goods were being shipped in with no national tariffs Some states created duties on British goods and goods from the new states States could not be forced to give back land or repay loans British troops could not be pushed out Problems with the Spanish and GA Recession

Daniel Shays Former Captain in the Continental Army Bankrupt farmer in MA Rebellion leader

General Benjamin Lincoln Commander of 4,000 troops in MA Defend arsenal from Shays and his rebels

Shays Rebellion (1787) Farmers were upset over taxes Advanced on a state arsenal Planned on attacking Boston MA militia stopped them Lincoln arrived and ended the rebellion

Call for Change The poor were upset about inflation and taxes The wealthy were upset about the legislature responding to the poor and the rebellion Changes were needed for proper trade and diplomacy Calls for a stronger central government

Constitutional Convention Nationalists: George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Morris May 1787 in Philly the First Convention was held George Washington was the presiding officer Meetings were closed to the public

Constitutional Convention (cont’d) Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan Connecticut Compromise aka Great Compromise Compromise over slavery aka 3/5 Compromise Compromise over the slave trade and product trade

Framework for a Limited Government Popular Sovereignty Federalism Separation of powers Legislative branch Executive branch Judicial branch

Checks and Balances Checks and balances Veto Impeachment Amendments

A Great Debate Federalists Anti-federalists Led by Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, Jay Anti-federalists Back-country farmers Did not favor the Constitution Bill of Rights

Ratification Timeline

Which of the following best explains why the Articles of Confederation was designed to be a weak from of central government? Colonial experience under the rule of Great Britain The central government had little experience in governing It was a compromise between Northern and Southern colonists. A strong government was not necessary during this time of peace

Which of the following best explains why the Articles of Confederation was designed to be a weak from of central government? Colonial experience under the rule of Great Britain

Create a list that illustrates the strengths and weakness of the Articles of Confederation Pros Cons

Which of the following was a result of the British cutting off trade with the United States following the Revolutionary War? Small farmers began supporting the idea of a strong central government The Articles of Confederation were extended in their original form The resulting depression caused farmers to rebel against the government American exports to Great Britain tripled

Which of the following was a result of the British cutting off trade with the United States following the Revolutionary War? C. The resulting depression caused farmers to rebel against the government

Cite historical evidence that supports the idea that the United States Constitution was the result of compromise between those that favored a strong central government and those that favored strong state governments.

What impact did the Federalist Papers have on the ratification of the Constitution? It had little impact on the ratification It made it clear that a Bill of Rights would be added It delayed ratification for two months It created confusion about the intentions of the Framers

What impact did the Federalist Papers have on the ratification of the Constitution? It had little impact on the ratification

In the 1780’s, many Americans distrusted a strong central government In the 1780’s, many Americans distrusted a strong central government. This distrust is best shown by the Lack of debate over the ratification of the United States Constitution Development of a Federal court system Constitutional provision for a strong President Separation of powers in the federal government

In the 1780’s, many Americans distrusted a strong central government In the 1780’s, many Americans distrusted a strong central government. This distrust is best shown by the D. Separation of powers in the federal government

The major reason the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution was to Limit the power of state governments Protect individual liberties against abuse by the Federal government Provide for equal treatment of people Separate powers between the three branches of government

The major reason the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution was to B. Protect individual liberties against abuse by the Federal government

A system of checks and balances was included in the Constitution because the authors were concerned about One branch of government becoming too strong The states having too much power The people having a voice in government The military gaining control of the United States

A system of checks and balances was included in the Constitution because the authors were concerned about One branch of government becoming too strong

The United States Constitution corrected a weakness of the Articles of Confederation by Creating three branches of government Giving greater power to the state governments Providing a clear definition of states’ rights Granting the right to vote to all white males

The United States Constitution corrected a weakness of the Articles of Confederation by Creating three branches of government