Background to the Constitution Asaro/ Rasmussen 6 th Grade

Setting the stage The US has just won the war. -Massive expansion in land -Unparalleled freedom But what to do with it? -What type of government should our new nation have? -That is the question we are occupied with after the Revolution

Up to this point in time Up to this point in time, colonies have been ruled by Great Britain. But remember: before the end of Salutary Neglect, colonies were very independent. The independence of each individual colony will be the starting point at which most states will naturally default to.

Government by the States 11 of the 13 states created constitutions (document stating rules under which a government will function). Rhode Island and Connecticut continued to use colonial charters-removed references to king Power of governors reduced-state legislatures (elected by people) given most power

Government by the States Governors served as state executives (those who run the government and see that laws are carried out) More people allowed to vote under state constitutions-most states still barred African Americans NJ allowed some women to vote until 1807

Protecting Rights To prevent violation of rights (as Britain had done to the colonists), states set up bills of rights 1776-Virginia was the first state to add a bill of rights to its constitution-included freedom of press, trial by jury, freedom of religion

Articles of Confederation-VideoVideo 1777-Continental Congress set up Articles of Confederation to create a national government One branch-legislature called Congress No courts, no executive States had one vote a piece-nine votes needed to pass a law

Articles of Confederation Articles wanted to limit the power of the central gov’t Power remained in the hands of the states-Congress could not regulate trade or collect taxes. Money voluntarily given by states Congress could deal with foreign nations and Native American groups, make laws, declare war, print money, run a postal service Could not enforce laws

Settling Western lands Articles had to be approved by all 13 states Not all would agree until issue of western lands was settled (some states claimed these areas) 1781-Virginia gave up western claims-Maryland agrees to Articles. Land given to federal government Land Ordinance of Townships set up & divided into 36 squares. Squares were then sold One section set aside for schools-reflected nation’s leaders belief that democracy depended on education

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Set up a process for admitting new states in the Northwest Territory-present day states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio Congress appointed governor, three judges, and a secretary When an areas population reached 5,000 adult males-they could elect a legislature When it reached 60,000-it could request statehood Slavery outlawed

Problems with Articles- VideoVideo Economic -State taxes and currencies made trade between state difficult -Federal government could not tax-had little money (had to be voluntarily given by states) Foreign -America seemed weak-Britain kept troops in Northwest Territory, Spain refused to let Americans use Mississippi River

Shays’ Rebellion- VideoVideo 1780’s-economic depression hit United States Many farmers could not pay taxes. State governments began seizing farms Massachusetts farmers demanded legislators stop seizing land and print more money-they did not August 1786-Daniel Shays and 1,000 farmers rebelled and tried to seize arms from a state warehouse. State militia put down rebellion, arrested Shays

Effect of Shays’ Rebellion-VideoVideo Shays’ Rebellion showed weakness of government under Articles of Confederation Many feared future rebellions and called for a stronger central government 1787-Congress sent delegates to a convention in Philadelphia to revise Articles of Confederation Enlightenment influence in what they come up with…

Enlightenment Background Video – (FLOCABULARY) Video What is the Enlightenment? – a European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition – Movement away from Monarchy and religion – Toward Democracy/ Individual rights and science