Bell Ringer Look on page 49 in your U.S. History and Government textbooks at the illustration, “The Signers of the Constitution, in Philadelphia, 1787.” Look on page 49 in your U.S. History and Government textbooks at the illustration, “The Signers of the Constitution, in Philadelphia, 1787.” Count the number of people in the painting. Count the number of people in the painting. How difficult would it have been to get a large number of people from so many places to agree on anything? How difficult would it have been to get a large number of people from so many places to agree on anything?

New York and Other State Constitutions Chapter Section 6

Long before the fighting in the Revolution came to an end, the Continental Congress realized some kind of unity was needed between the new independent states. The delegates responded by drafting the Articles of Confederation, adopted November 15, The Articles created a confederation, or league, of free and individual sovereign states, to be collectively called "The United States of America". It took until 1781, however, before all thirteen states ratified the Articles of Confederation. Long before the fighting in the Revolution came to an end, the Continental Congress realized some kind of unity was needed between the new independent states. The delegates responded by drafting the Articles of Confederation, adopted November 15, The Articles created a confederation, or league, of free and individual sovereign states, to be collectively called "The United States of America". It took until 1781, however, before all thirteen states ratified the Articles of Confederation.

Under the terms of the Articles of Confederation, each of the thirteen states would function as a separate and self-sufficient unit, free to conduct its own local business and only bound to the others in matters of defense and foreign affairs. The Articles amounted to little more than a friendship pact amongst the new states. Under the terms of the Articles of Confederation, each of the thirteen states would function as a separate and self-sufficient unit, free to conduct its own local business and only bound to the others in matters of defense and foreign affairs. The Articles amounted to little more than a friendship pact amongst the new states.

State Constitutions and Religious Freedom Many states adopted their own constitutions before United States Constitution was created. Many states adopted their own constitutions before United States Constitution was created.

Many contained references to a bicameral (two house) rather than a unicameral (one-house) legislature, an executive branch, a judicial branch, and even a bill of rights prohibiting the establishment of a religion. Many contained references to a bicameral (two house) rather than a unicameral (one-house) legislature, an executive branch, a judicial branch, and even a bill of rights prohibiting the establishment of a religion.

As a result, these constitutions guaranteed religious liberty and encouraged the growth of religious pluralism (toleration of more than one religious group). As a result, these constitutions guaranteed religious liberty and encouraged the growth of religious pluralism (toleration of more than one religious group).

Question Can you name some religious groups found in the United States? Can you name some religious groups found in the United States? Would these religions be in our country if it were not for the bill of rights? Would these religions be in our country if it were not for the bill of rights?

Abolition of Slavery By 1800s, all the northern states had passed laws to end slavery. By 1800s, all the northern states had passed laws to end slavery. By 1810, most northern African Americans were free citizens. By 1810, most northern African Americans were free citizens.

Question Did slavery still exist in the southern colonies? Did slavery still exist in the southern colonies?

The Articles of Confederation Delegates from the 13 colonies drew up the Articles of Confederation in Delegates from the 13 colonies drew up the Articles of Confederation in The states finally ratified the articles in The states finally ratified the articles in 1781.

Major Principles First constitution for the United States. First constitution for the United States. Government under the Articles soon proved unsatisfactory. Government under the Articles soon proved unsatisfactory.

Organization and Powers of the Government Consisted of a one house lawmaking body. Consisted of a one house lawmaking body. (Continental Congress) No separate system like executive branch to enforce the laws or a system of national courts to interpret laws. No separate system like executive branch to enforce the laws or a system of national courts to interpret laws.

Each state was equally represented in Congress by a delegation that could cast just one vote on each issue. Each state was equally represented in Congress by a delegation that could cast just one vote on each issue. The Congress was given the power to declare war, make peace, and conduct foreign affairs. The Congress was given the power to declare war, make peace, and conduct foreign affairs.

Strengths and Weaknesses Congress had 2 major achievements Congress had 2 major achievements 1) Bringing the Revolutionary War to a successful end. 2) Establishing the (Northwest Ordinance, 1787) for governing the western lands between Appalachian Mountains and Mississippi River.

Weaknesses Congress lack power to collect taxes. Congress lack power to collect taxes. Relied on grants of money from states to pay its expenses. Relied on grants of money from states to pay its expenses.

Question If Congress lacked the power to collect taxes what problems might result? If Congress lacked the power to collect taxes what problems might result?

Could not regulate commerce between states. Could not regulate commerce between states. Paper currency issued worthless. Paper currency issued worthless. The Articles of Confederation could not be changed without every state agreeing. The Articles of Confederation could not be changed without every state agreeing.

Article Weaknesses: New nation had a big war debt and no way to pay it off. New nation had a big war debt and no way to pay it off. So states need to pay. So states need to pay.

Some printed more money = made money’s value less. Some printed more money = made money’s value less. Massachusetts raised taxes. Especially hurt farmers in western Massachusetts. Massachusetts raised taxes. Especially hurt farmers in western Massachusetts.

When farmer couldn't pay, his case went to court. When farmer couldn't pay, his case went to court. Judges ordered sale of farmer’s property. Judges ordered sale of farmer’s property. Some sent to debt prison. Some sent to debt prison.

Questions Do you see a problem arising from this between the farmers and tax collectors? Do you see a problem arising from this between the farmers and tax collectors? How are farmers going to view the new government concerning these taxes? How are farmers going to view the new government concerning these taxes? Do you see any irony with this (remember history repeats itself) Do you see any irony with this (remember history repeats itself)

Farmers were mad, scared. Farmers were mad, scared. Wanted relief from state legislature. Wanted relief from state legislature. Resorted to violence. Resorted to violence.

Led by Daniel Shays, 2,000 farmers marched on Massachusetts courts and closed them. Led by Daniel Shays, 2,000 farmers marched on Massachusetts courts and closed them. Some farmers tried to take over state arsenal. Some farmers tried to take over state arsenal.

Rebellion failed because Massachusetts militia intervened. Rebellion failed because Massachusetts militia intervened.

Daniel Shay was condemned to death on a treason charge, but would flee to the Vermont Republic and asked for amnesty from the governor on February Daniel Shay was condemned to death on a treason charge, but would flee to the Vermont Republic and asked for amnesty from the governor on February 1788.

Question What is amnesty? Give an example Give an example

Shays Rebellion had major impact on public opinion. Shays Rebellion had major impact on public opinion. National government had no troops to stop rebellions. National government had no troops to stop rebellions. People wanted law and order. People wanted law and order.

Shay’s Rebellion 1786 Economic troubles and political unrest caused many Americans to doubt whether their young country could long survive under a weak central government. Economic troubles and political unrest caused many Americans to doubt whether their young country could long survive under a weak central government. Particularly alarming was a violent protest by Massachusetts farmers against the collection of a state tax. Particularly alarming was a violent protest by Massachusetts farmers against the collection of a state tax.

Question Why was it ironic that Shay’s Rebellion took place in Massachusetts so soon after the Revolution? Why was it ironic that Shay’s Rebellion took place in Massachusetts so soon after the Revolution?