Describe the content of this political cartoon. What is the message of the artist about the A of C? What specific images does the artist use to show his view point of the A of C? Do you agree or disagree with the artist? Explain.

Articles of Confederation/Constitution America’s 1st Constitution Adopted during Revolutionary War Central Government to coordinate war effort Little power to new government Confederation Congress Conduct foreign affairs Maintain armed forces Borrow/issue $ Powers Not Given Regulate trade Military draft Impose taxes No chief executive to enforce laws

All 13 states must approve = March 1, 1781 Weaknesses: Congress had limited authority No laws passed without 9 of 13 votes Changes required 13 of 13 votes Strengths: Won Revolutionary War Provided for new western states New Land Policies: - extend national authority over frontier – order to territory - many states made claims on new territories

Adding New Territories: - T Adding New Territories: - T. Jefferson 1784 – 10 self governing districts; # of people = population of smallest state = apply for statehood - Ordinance of 1785 – survey/sell western land north of Ohio R. - townships = 6mi. Wide 6mi. Long - 36 sections = 640 acres - sell @ around $1.00/acre - Northwest Ordinance 1787: - create single Northwest Territory - divide into 3-5 smaller territories - population = 60, 000 apply for statehood - each new state “=“ w/13 original states - bill of rights protecting freedoms of settlers - attempt to stop spread of slavery

Money Problems: - by 1781 Revolutionary War $ almost worthless - Congress can’t collect taxes - Congress & States print $ - no gold/silver to back $ = value goes down - prices rising - Revolutionary War Debt = borrowed $ from Am. Citizens, foreign countries – owe soldiers salaries Foreign Relations: - Britain: - Treaty of Paris 1783: British withdraw from lands east of Mississippi River – they did not - trade policy: geared to keep Am. out of strategic markets Ex. West Indies - Spain: - wanted to stop Am. Western expansion – close Miss. R. to shipping in 1784

Convention and Compromise: - Economic Depression: - post Revolutionary War = unemployment up; trade/export down - Problems for Farmers: - no $ to pay taxes (Rev. War debt) - state seize land – farmers to jail - Shay’s Rebellion: 1786 Daniel Shays (Massachusetts) - forced courts to close so judges could not take land - 1787 plan to take arms/ammunition in Springfield, Massachusetts (federal arsenal) - state militia killed 4 rebels - results = scared Americans – could gov’t control unrest/prevent violence?

Issue of Slavery: - contradiction = battle for Am. liberty vs Issue of Slavery: - contradiction = battle for Am. liberty vs. practice of slavery - ban on slavery: - 1776-1786: eleven states outlaw/tax importing slaves - legal in northern states – many worked to end - 1775: Quakers (Pa) = 1st antislavery society - 1780: Pa. law grants gradual freedom - 1783: Mass. = illegal under state constitution - 1787: Free African Society (Phila.) = help slaves make way in society - southern states keep slavery - fear economy not survive (plantation system) - some slaves were freed after Rev. War - Nation Divided: 1787 time to plan new gov’t = compromise - North abolish – questions morality of slavery - nation divided at a time when Articles needed strengthened

Constitutional Convention (May 1787) - Delegates (55) - well-educated businessmen, statesmen - African Americans, women, Native Americans not represented - G. Washington – presiding officer (president) - closed to public - Virginia Plan: - Edmund Randolph – strong national gov’t (based on J. Madison) - 2-house legislature: lower house – elected by people; upper house chosen by lower house - chief executive (chosen by legislature) - court system - problems: population of some states (Va) greater than others (NJ)

- New Jersey Plan: - William Paterson (NJ) plan to modify Articles of Confederation - one house congress w/equal representation - expand Congress power = tax & trade - Compromise: - national gov’t w/Va Plan + representation = new National Gov’t - Debate: - representation - electing congress - enslaved Africans = population? - Great Compromise: - Roger Sherman: (Connecticut) - 2 house legislature - lower house (HOR) # of seats = population - upper house (SEN) each state = 2 members

- Three fifths Compromise: (counting slaves) - slaves legally considered property (not as pop.) - neither N or S give right to vote - count as 3/5 of a free person (every 5 slaves = 3 people) - Slave Trade: compromise = Congress not interfere for 20 years *Constitution approved Sept. 17, 1787 – sent to states for consideration New Plan of Gov’t: - Roots of Constitution - British system = Parliament - monarch vs. Parliament = work together - English Bill of Rights (1689) – protect personal freedoms - Enlightenment: - movement of 1700s = idea knowledge, reason, science improve society (John Locke) - all people have natural right to life, liberty, property

- contract between people (Americans) and ruler (gov’t) - protect natural rights – limit gov’t power - separate powers of gov’t (Montesquieu) - clearly defined/limited Federal System: - Divided powers = federal/state - shared powers = tax (states w/I borders); regulate trade; pass laws - Supreme law = Constitution final authority Organization of Gov’t: (3 Branches) - Legislative Branch: (Article I) - Congress: -House of Representatives – representation = population - Senate – 2 representative from each state - Powers: collect taxes, coin $, regulate trade, declare war, “necessary and proper” laws according to Constitution.

- Executive Branch: (Article II) - President – carry out laws - commander-in-chief of military - handle foreign relations - Electoral College (indirect election): electors = number of senators + representatives - Judicial Branch: (Article III) - Supreme Court + any lower court set by Congress - Sp. Ct. (federal) cases involving Constitution and btwn states Checks and Balances: - divide power: each branch limits others (see Chp. 7 worksheet) - draw back = can prevent quick/decisive action

Ratifying the Constitution: - Constitutional Debate: - Federalists = supporters of Constitution - more organized – support of G. Washington, B. Franklin - explain/defend Const. - feared disorder w/o strong central gov’t - Antifederalists = opposed Constitution - new Const. take away liberties - create strong central gov’t ignore states/people - favor wealthy over common people - local gov’t trusted to protect individual rights - feared gov’t more than disorder - Bill of Rights: protect individual freedoms Adopting Constitution: Delaware 1st state Dec. 7, 1787