Forming a Government Course of Study objectives 3.5, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

The Articles of Confederation and problems in the new nation Weaknesses of national government under the Articles of Confederation No national court system to settle disputes b/t states No ability to tax Tariff problems with foreign nations (England) No national army No power to regulate interstate trade High inflation, b/c inability to control money

One nation, or thirteen? For one nation Against one nation Common language Similar geography No war tradition w/ each other. Common effort in winning war against England Against one nation Strong state loyalties Poor highway connections States were not tied economically No longer faced a common enemy

Economic Problems American merchants were excluded from the British West Indies trade market. Lost favor in British markets Wartime demand for goods came to an end Unemployment rose Inflation and a large public debt (financing the war)

A Federal Government Federalism Republic

This becomes known as the critical period! The new nation could fail at any time because of political and economic weakness.

Shays’ Rebellion Tax revolt in Mass. Led by Daniel Shays Showed the importance of internal control of a national government. Will lead to calls for a new Constitution.

Constitutional Influences Inspiration Magna Carta English Bill of Rights John Locke Tradition New England Town Meetings Great Awakening Legislative Assemblies (Virginia House of Burgesses) Documents Mayflower Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Declaration of Independence

Constitutional Convention Influences – John Locke’s social contract theory of a government by the people. Creation of republic based on elected gov. Elected gov. is responsive to the people Based on sound state constitutions The use of a bicameral legislatures Bill of Rights System of checks and ballances

Compromises Virginia Plan (large state plan) Called for congressional representation based on population New Jersey Plan (small state plan) Called for congressional representation to be equal for each state Great Compromise Creates a bicameral congress with equal representation in the Senate and rep. based on population in the House of Representatives.

3/5 Compromise Handles the slavery question Southern states, whose power in congress was challenged because they were smaller in population, sought to have slaves counted for representative purposes, but not for tax purposes. 3/5 Compromise called for 3 out of 5 slaves to be counted for both rep. and taxing. (3/5ths of a person)

Ratification Federalists Anti-federalists Led by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay Theories outlined in Federalist Papers Anti-federalists Feared too much power in a national government would weaken the states Wanted a Bill of Rights Led by Jefferson Ratification – took 9 of 13 states, 1789