Power Presentations CHAPTER 8

How do you form a government? Democratic Ideals Image The year is 1787, and your young country needs to reform its government. Now everyone is wondering what the new government will be like. You have been called to a convention to decide how the new government should be organized. How do you form a government?

• What will be your main goal in creating a new government? • How will you get the people at the convention to agree on important issues?

1777 Patriots win Battles of Saratoga 1777 Patriots win Battles of Saratoga. Continental Congress passes the Articles of Confederation. 1781 Articles of Confederation go into effect. British surrender at Yorktown. 1783 Treaty of Paris formally ends the Revolutionary War and recognizes the independence of the United States. 1786–1787 Daniel Shays leads a rebellion of Massachusetts farmers. 1787 Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia. Image 1788 U.S. Constitution is ratified. 1789 George Washington becomes the first president of the United States. Image 1791 Bill of Rights is ratified. To World

1779 Spain declares war on Britain. 1781 Joseph II allows religious freedom for Christians in Austria. 1787 Freetown, Sierra Leone, is made a home for freed slaves. 1789 French Revolution begins. Back to U.S. Back to Home

Main Idea The Articles of Confederation were too weak to govern the nation after the war ended. Map Why It Matters Now The weakness of the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the U.S. Constitution.

What were some of the challenges Americans faced in shaping a new government? Postwar depression Weakness of the Articles of Confederation Challenges Debt All 13 states required to approve changes to the Articles

• What issues affected the Western territories between 1775 and 1787? • What were three successes of the Continental Congress? • What were three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Forming and Supporting Opinions Which side would you have supported during Shays’s Rebellion—the farmers or the officials who called out the militia? Why? Think About • the farmers’ problems • the farmers’ march on the arsenal • the job of the government Back to Home

Main Idea The states sent delegates to a convention to solve the problems of the Articles of Confederation. Why It Matters Now The Constitutional Convention formed the plan of government that the United States still has today.

What were some of the contributions made by the leading delegates at the Constitutional Convention? James Madison Took notes on the Convention; earned the nickname “Father of the Constitution” George Washington Presided over the Convention Edmund Randolph Offered the Virginia Plan William Paterson Offered the New Jersey Plan

• What was the relationship between the Annapolis Convention and the Constitutional Convention? • What were the delegates to the Constitutional Convention like as a group? • How did the Constitutional Convention address the issue of slavery?

Analyzing Points of View How did the delegates at the convention differ on the issue of representation in the new government? Think About • the large states and the small states • the Virginia Plan • the New Jersey Plan • the Great Compromise Back to Home

Main Idea Americans across the nation debated whether the Constitution would produce the best government. Why It Matters Now American liberties today are protected by the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.

What do the views of the Federalists and the Antifederalists have in common? How are they different? Stronger national government One person to head the executive branch Image Both Different branches of the government Supported a bill of rights Antifederalists Stronger state government Feared a strong executive

• How was the Constitution ratified? • How did the Federalists and the Antifederalists try to convince people to take their sides in the debate over the Constitution? • What was the significance of the Bill of Rights?

Recognizing Propaganda Reread the quotation by Hamilton on page 235. Is it an example of propaganda? Why or why not? Think About • Hamilton’s use of the word countrymen • Hamilton’s reference to liberty, dignity, and happiness Back to Home

REVIEW QUESTIONS ANSWERS: READ AND TAKE NOTES

1 What is the Wilderness Road, and where did it lead? 2 What problems did the Continental Congress successfully address? 3 What powers did the government have under the Articles of Confederation? 4 How did Shays’s Rebellion affect people’s views on the Articles of Confederation? 5 What groups of people were not represented at the Constitutional Convention?

6 What were some things the delegates agreed on at the convention? 7 What compromises did the delegates make during the convention? 8 What is Federalism? 9 Why were Virginia and New York important in the battle for ratification of the Constitution? 10 Why did some states think that it was necessary to add a bill of rights to the Constitution?

Solving Problems Back to Home PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS Western lands States give up Western claims. Congress passes laws to organize the territories. Postwar depression Annapolis Convention is called to discuss problems of commerce. Representation in the new government Philadelphia convention is held. Delegates agree to Great Compromise to settle issue of representation. Slavery Three-Fifths Compromise addresses issue of slavery and representation. Congress delays discussion of banning the slave trade. Back to Home

Map Image Back to Previous Use these buttons to go back to the previous slide, or to move forward in the presentation. These labels let you know where you are in the presentation. To reveal the content of a slide just press the space bar or click your mouse once. When you click on the arrow you will be linked to a related visual. To use a button, move your pointer over the button. When your pointer becomes a hand, click your mouse. Map Image These buttons link you to special areas. Back to Previous