Articles of Confederation / US Constitution Do now: Which is more dangerous for society…when parents have NO rules for their children or when parents are very very strict?

Articles of Confederation Drafted in 1777 when many Americans feared a powerful national government. AoC created a framework for a loose confederation of states. Each state would often develop its own rules / regulations. Congress could only declare war, negotiate with foreign countries, establish a postal system, and settle disputes between the states. It had no power to tax Did not set up an executive branch to carry out the laws or a judicial branch to settle legal questions.

Land Ordinance of 1785 set up a system for surveying and dividing land in the new territory. 1787, Northwest Ordinance to specify how these western lands would be governed. When a territory had 5,000 free adult men it could elect a legislature. When the population reached 60,000 free inhabitants the legislations could write a constitution and form a government. If Congress approved both, the territory would become a state. Land Policy

Problems Arise Congress’ weakness Debt Trade Interstate commerce Tariffs

A New Constitution…Based on Enlightenment Philosophers The delegates were influenced by John Locke’s ideas about natural rights. Montesquieu, another Enlightenment thinker favored a three part government with separation of powers, that work together in a system of checks and balances limiting the power of the others.

The New Constitution The Great Compromise Three Branches of Gov’t Combination of the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan. Led to the 3/5 Compromise Three Branches of Gov’t Separation of Powers Established a system of checks and balances Bill of Rights would be later added after Anti – Federalist concerns.