Bellringer “…Article 6. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory otherwise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the part shall have been duly convicted” Based on this excerpt from the Northwest Ordinance (1787), which statement is a valid conclusion The issue of slavery was largely ignored prior to the Civil War Abolitionists had gained control of the Constitutional Convention Slavery was legally banned in the Northwest Territory Enslaved persons had constitutionally protected civil rights Define Federalism. What was the problem with the Articles of Confederation? The division of power between states and the federal (central) government The states were too strong while the fed was too weak. The fed could not raise an army or taxes.

Provide two examples of early colonial attempts at self government Bell ringer Provide two examples of early colonial attempts at self government -Mayflower Compact -House of Burgesses What was the purpose the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and what did it do? To raise money to pay off war debts. It created a way to admit new states What was the name of America’s first government? What was wrong with it? Articles of Confederation The Federal government was weaker than the states

Constitutional America

Review The newly independent America was distrustful of strong government, and created a weak central government known as the Articles of Confederation. Under the Articles of Confederation the Federal Government was too weak. They could not pay war debts, raise an army or enforce its decisions. When Daniel Shay’s led a rebellion against the Massachusetts tax system, it took a year to shut it down.

Constitutional Convention 55 delegates from all the states (except Rhode Island) met to create a new constitution. The delegates were made of prominent lawyers, planters and merchants. Most of the population, however, were small farmers. How do the delegates not represent the majority of Americans? The most famous delegate was George Washington, though James Madison may have had the most influence on the constitution.

What are we talking about here? The Constitutional Convention was an attempt to create a strong FEDERAL government. This means taking power AWAY from the states. Federalism- the division of power between the States and Federal government

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists The Americans were still distrustful of Strong Government, creating divisions among the delegates. Federalists- Want a strong Federal government for efficiency Anti-Federalists- Want strong state governments to protect the people

Compromise! Compromise! Compromise! GOAL: Create a strong enough government to govern effectively, while protecting individual liberties. Plan: Compromise: the Constitution took many compromises, but there are 4 major compromises. 1) The issue of Representation 2) The issue of Slavery 3) The issue of commerce 4) The Presidency compromise

Issue of Representation The continental Congress had to decide what the legislature would look like and how the representatives would be selected. New Jersey Virginia

Virginia vs. New Jersey plans This compromise is called the Connecticut Plan, or the Great Compromise

The Great Compromise

Representing Slaves A bitter debate continued over slavery and power. The Southerners wanted the enslaved people to be counted for representation purposes, but not for taxes. What advantage would this be for the Southerners?

The 3/5ths compromise Actual number of slaves Actual number of slaves counted for taxes and representation

The Commerce Compromise Commerce= Trade The Issue: North- wants a government to regulate trade South- worried there will be tariffs on produce exported and that slavery will be restricted

Commerce Compromise To compromise the delegates agreed that the congress could not pass export duties (taxes). Additionally, Congress could not prohibit or limit slavery for 20 years. Additionally, runaway slaves had to be returned to the South. Slavery could not be prohibited for the next 20 years. What problems do you foresee with this arrangement?

Presidency Compromise The Americans were still distrustful of a strong government, so outlining the president’s powers was especially difficult. Federalists- supporting stronger government these delegates wanted a long term of office and direct elections Anti-Federalists- Supported stronger state governments and wanted a short presidential term and election by state legislatures.

Presidency Compromise -Four year Terms -Indirect Election (Electoral College) ** Notice there is NO limit to the number of terms**

Copy this table Compromise Issue Solution The Great Compromise Equal or proportionate representation in Congress States would have equal representation in the Senate, but the House would be depend on population Three-Fifths Compromise Counting enslaved people within population to determine representation Enslaved people were counted as 3/5 of one person, both for taxation and representation Commerce Compromise Granting Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade Congress is forbidden from taxing state exports, or passing anti-slavery trade laws for 20 years Presidency Compromise Length of a president’s term of office and method of election Presidents will serve a 4yr term and be elected by the electoral college

Review The primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to (1) provide revenues for the national government (2) establish the basic framework of the national government (3) give the national government the power to regulate interstate commerce (4) guarantee a bill of rights to protect citizens from the national government Which statement regarding the United States Congress is best supported by the information in this cartoon? (1) Congress must meet at least once every year. (2) Members of the House of Representatives must be chosen every two years. (3) Each house of Congress must publish a journal of its proceedings. (4) Representation in the House of Representatives is based on state population

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists

Ratification Ratify- Approve Once the delegation had written the constitution it had to be ratified, or approved by the states. The writers had written that 9 of the 13 colonies must approve the constitution for it to go into effect. However, there were fierce debates in all the states between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Federalists: Wrote the “Federalist Papers” to promote ratification Anti-Federalists: Worried the constitutional government would threaten the rights of the people. Demanded a Bill of Rights. Ratify- Approve

The United States Constitution

Ratification Ultimately the new Constitution was approved by the 13 colonies, and went into effect in 1789. The first president was George Washington. Some didn’t want to approve the constitution because they were worried they would lose their rights. So Congress immediately went into session to respond to calls for a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments were passed by 1791.

US Constitution The US Constitution provides a clearly defined framework of government. The Preamble provides the reasons for writing it: -to create a better stronger government -to ensure a system of justice -to provide for peace at home -to provide for the defense of the nation -to promote the well being of the people -to secure liberty to the people and to future generations.