Articles of Confederation and the constitutional convention
Fear of Tyranny Causes Problems The Whig Ideology that led to the Revolutionary War was ever present in the formation of the Articles of Confederation Fear of a national or federal government was imbedded in the colonists due to its seeming inability to represent the people. In the latter years of the Revolution, the Articles of Confederation were drafted. Created a Congress to be the largest entity in government, but was essentially powerless. Purpose was to settle disputes among the new states.
Problems of the Articles of Confederation Weaknesses No executive branch of government Each state had one vote Rhode Island, one of the smallest states had the same voice as Virginia, a state with 10 times as many people Amendments required unanimous support Congress had very little actual authority Had no authority over commerce or trade Allowed different states to pass tariffs, at times on each other. Had no central authority for national tax collection Did establish a tax quota for each state, but due to the Articles, could only ask for contributions to the federal level on a volunteer basis.
Virginia Plan As time moved on, a call for a stronger federal government became clearer Led by James Madison and his Federalist Papers Shays’ rebellion also was a major catalyst for this push Virginia Plan Virginia, the largest state in the Confederation, pushed its “large-state plan” Bicameral Congress Each house would have representation based on population
New Jersey Plan New Jersey, seeing the looming problems of the Virginia Plan, backed the “small-state plan” Unicameral Congress Equal Representation for each state This plan was pushed under the fear that small states would be at a great disadvantage under the Virginia Plan
Assignment Describe the division at the Constitutional Convention and it’s eventual outcome. Include the following terms: Federalists and Anti-Federalists James Madison Federalist Number 10 Patrick Henry The Great Compromise 3/5’s Compromise