Creating a New Nation US History

A New Nation Fight for freedom (1775 – 1781) Declaration signed (1776) Treaty signed (1783)

First Government Articles of Confederation Political structure/weaknesses Economic structure/weaknesses Cultural issues

State Claims to Western Land

Western Land Cessions

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Northwest Ordinance

British Forts In US Territory

Shay’s Rebellion, 1786 - 1787

A Conspiracy or Brilliant Solution? Constitution A Conspiracy or Brilliant Solution?

Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 Independence Hall, Philadelphia 55 representatives from all of the states except for Rhode Island Agenda: the government; the future of the country George Washington was elected as the leader

Making a Constitution: The Philadelphia Convention Gentlemen in Philadelphia Mostly wealthy planters & merchants Most were college graduates with some political experience Many were coastal residents from the larger cities, not the rural areas

Key Players James Madison Author of the VA Plan Father of the Constitution

ALEXANDER HAMILTON pro-business strong central government diversified economy Writer of the Federalist Papers (with James Madison & John Jay)

Debate & Compromise at the Constitutional Convention

Issue 1: Representation VA Plan NJ Plan By Madison 3 Branch Govt Bicameral Legislature Rep based on population in both houses 1 executive By Patterson 3 Branch Govt Unicameral legislature Rep based on equality Multiple executives

Issue 1 Resolved Connecticut (aka Great Compromise) 3 branch govt Bicameral legislature 1 House based on population (House of Reps) 1 House based on equality (Senate); state legislatures choose Senators 1 Executive

Issue 2: Slave Representation South North Yes, count slaves as people! No, slaves do not have any rights, so Southerners shouldn’t get to count them!

Issue 2 Resolved Three-Fifths Compromise: slaves will count as 3/5 of a person when counting the population, but the slave owners will pay taxes on all of their slaves

Issue 3: Political Equality Who should be granted suffrage?

Issue 3 Resolved Dodge the issue… Let the states decide White, landowning, men Framers feared common man

Issue 4: Who should elect the President? the People Congress

Issue 4 Resolved Decided on Electors – the Electoral College System

The Agenda in Philadelphia

Ratification Took three years In the Constitution, 9 of 13 states had to sign

Federalists vs Anti-Federalists?

Ratifying the Constitution Federalist Papers A collection of 85 articles written in NY newspapers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution. Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns about the lack of basic liberties. (inspired by George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights)

Ratification