EARLY US GOVERNMENT Articles of Confederation Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Constitutional Convention Federalists Anti-Federalists

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT Congress – Each State had one Vote. Powers of Congress Make Laws Declare War & Make Peace Make Treaties & Alliances Maintain Army & Navy Other Less Important Matters

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress – Limited Powers (most needed 9 of 13 states to agree) No Executive Branch – Enforce Laws No Judicial Branch – Settle State Disputes No Power to Tax No Money = No Military Amendments – Needed Approval of all 13 States

Constitutional Convention VIRGINIA PLAN 3 Separate Branches (legislative will elect other 2) Bicameral Legislature (based on population & $ contributions) Authority to cancel conflicting state laws GREAT COMPROMISE (AKA – Sherman or Connecticut Compromise) 1) Congress – Bicameral House of Representatives – based on population, directly elected by the people Senate – 2 Representatives per state – chosen by state legislatures 2) 3/5 Compromise – Every 5 Slaves would count as 3 persons for population & taxing 3) Economics President enters into treaties Slave trade not prohibited (20 years) Congress cannot tax exports Treaties – 2/3 Senate approval NEW JERSEY PLAN Unicameral Legislature (1 vote) Plural Executive – selected by Congress Supreme Court – appointed for life by the executive

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay FEDERALISTS People who supported the Ratification (Approval) of the Constitution Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay Wrote a collection of essays in support of the new Constitution-wanted a strong federal government. The purpose of the essays was to show how the new Constitution would solve many of the problems that existed under the Articles of Confederation. Three men combined to write 85 of the essays.

ANTI-FEDERALISTS People who opposed the ratification of the new Constitution. Criticized the adoption of the Constitution of 1787. States would lose power under the Constitution. Federal Government would be too powerful. People still fear a strong central government. IT LACKED A BILL OF RIGHTS Anti-Federalists (Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason)