The US Constitution

Sections Articles of Confederation US Constitution Ratification

Objectives List and explain the achievements of the newly formed Confederation Congress. Analyze the weakness of the Confederation Congress.

Articles of Confederation In November 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union central government Confederation Congress powers Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Government Land above the Ohio River Three to five states Application for statehood Civilian rights Exclusion of slavery Trade British restrictions Commercial treaties Articles of Confederation

Failures of Confederation Congress Trade British goods duties Diplomacy Great Britain Spain Economy taxes currency Shay’s Rebellion (1786)

Chapter 5.1 Questions Why was the Northwest Ordinance set up? What weaknesses of the Confederation Congress led to call for change in the United States government?

A New Constitution Constitution Convention Compromise Framework

Constitutional Convention Nationalist – people that supported a stronger central government James Madison Annapolis Convention Alexander Hamilton Philadelphia 1787 55 delegates President Secretary Virginia Plan Three branches of government Bicameral legislature Representation New Jersey Plan Revise the Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature Powers

Compromise Connecticut Compromise Three-Fifths Compromise Benjamin Franklin Roger Sherman Bicameral legislature House of Representatives Senate Three-Fifths Compromise Slave Trade Compromise

Framework of Government Popular sovereignty – rule by the people Federalism Three branches Legislative – make laws Executive – implement & enforce Judicial – interpret laws Veto Impeach Amendments Proposal ratification

Chapter 5.2 Questions In what ways did the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan differ? How did the Great Compromise satisfy both large and small states? How does the Constitution provide for a separation of powers?

“If I shall be in the minority, I shall have those powerful sensations which arise from a conviction of being overpowered in a good cause. Yet I will be a peaceable citizen. My head, my hand, and my heart, shall be at liberty to retrieve the loss of liberty, and remove the defects of that system in a constitutional way.” Patrick Henry Ratification

Chapter 5.3 Questions What factors worked against the Antifederalists? What finally convinced Virginia and New York to ratify the Constitution?

Fight for Ratification MA, VA, NY December 1787-January 1788 DE, PA, NJ, GA, CT all quickly ratified the Constitution MA – Bill of Rights & tenth amendment VA – Madison’s promise to add a Bill of Rights NY – delay tactic March 4, 1789