Articles of Confederation v. The Constitution AP Government Unit I Lesson 1

Objective: What flaws existed in the Articles and how were they addressed by the Constitution?

The Foundations of the Articles of Confederation Government structure Congress was the sole body created Delegates were chosen by the states in any manner they wanted Powers of Congress Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Make treaties Borrow money State Obligations Would provide support and funding for congress

II. Weaknesses of the Articles One vote for each state, regardless of size Congress was powerless to collect taxes or duties Congress was unable to control foreign or interstate commerce No national court system Amendments were only passed will 100% consent of the states A 9/13 or nearly a 70% majority was required to pass laws Articles were a “league of friendship among the states”

III. Issues leading to conflict Shay’s Rebellion Western Massachusetts 1786 Local leaders led by Daniel Shays’ revolted and attacked a federal arsenal in response to economic chaos Shays was ultimately pardoned in 1788 Trade Disputes Maryland and Virginia ignored the suggestions of Congress and were entrenched in trade disputes This was common for many of the state issues

IV. The Revision The Miracle in Philadelphia Summer of 1787 Virginia Plan large state plan; representation based on population; bicameral legislature; three branch government; House is popularly elected, Senators were to be chosen by the House New Jersey Plan Small state plan; representation was to be equal; unicameral legislature; limited the power of Congress to tax; more than one executive Connecticut “Great” Compromise Bicameral Legislature; House representation was to be based on population; Senate representation was to be equal; Congress would have power to lay and collect taxes 3/5’s Compromise Dealt with the debate over whether slaves, who were not considered citizens, should be counted towards population in determining representation in the House Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Slave trade would not be discussed for 20 years Congress could not tax the export of goods from any state

V. The Constitution compared to the Articles of Confederation Formal name of the nation Articles: The United States of America Constitution: (not specified, but referred to in the Preamble as "the United States of America") Legislature Articles: Unicameral, called Congress Constitution: Bicameral, called Congress, divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate Members of Congress Articles: Between two and seven members per state Constitution: Two Senators per state, Representatives apportioned according to population of each state Voting in Congress Articles: One vote per state Constitution: One vote per Representative or Senator Appointment of members Articles: All appointed by state legislatures, in the manner each legislature directed Constitution: Representatives elected by popular vote, Senators appointed by state legislatures Term of legislative office Articles: One year Constitution: Two years for Representatives, six for Senators

V. The Constitution compared to the Articles of Confederation cont… Term limit for legislative office Articles: No more than three out of every six years Constitution: None Executive Articles: None Constitution: President Adjudicator of disputes between states Articles: Congress Constitution: Supreme Court Taxes Articles: Apportioned by Congress, collected by the states Constitution: Laid and collected by Congress Ratification Articles: Unanimous consent required Constitution: Consent of nine states required