Creating the Constitution 1781-1789 Chapter 5: Section 1

Which statement do you agree with most? A. a strong central government poses a serious threat to personal liberties B. A strong central government offers the best protection for personal liberties C. A strong central government is possible only if personal liberties are sacrificed D. A strong central government is not needed to protect personal liberties In this chapter we will learn about how a lasting government was created FOCUS: We will focus on what to the creation of the Constitution, and what its key principles are. Read Witness history aloud on pg. 133 What image does Daniel Webster use to describe the Constitution’s importance as a guide for the US government? Stormy sea, no direction/orientation Why do you suppose Presidents and other speakers have quoted Webster’s words? To stress enduring nature of the Constitution To explain how it has given the nation direction in difficult times ANALYZE PICTURE What does the image suggest about the convention? It was a formal gathering at which many delegates considered and debated ideas

Objectives A. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals B. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles C. Summarize Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of Western lands D. List the main weaknesses of the Articles WRITE DOWN OBJECTIVES! WITNESS HISTORY What does election mean? Choice What unusual opportunity does Adams say Americans have? The chance to choose how they will be governed Why have few people in human history had this opportunity? Because most have been government by hereditary rulers or by others who have seized power, usually with no document outlining government Focus Question: What form of national government did the Patriots create initially, and what events revealed that a new government was necessary

Why it matters… Patriots feared creating another government that held too much power The authority remained within the states Yet because of that the powerful states and weak national government faced severe problems

Powerful states and weak governments would eventually face severe problems

Early State Governments Republic Disagreement over proper design of government Democracy power with people Conservatives preserve many colonial institutes Some people believed if the people had the power it would promote democracy The conservative patriots believed that the common people could not be trusted with complete power

Democratic Patriots Wanted to create a state government with strong legislators and weak/no governor Unicameral Legislature PA; GA Unicameral Leg. one with a single house; members elected by the people

Conservative Patriots Had more conservative constitutions; strong governor Bicameral Legislature ME; NY BICAMERAL a lawmaking body with two houses; A senate and House of Representatives Wanted to balance the power of the voter with that of the rich, educated gentlemen in the Senate

Freedom of Religion Essentially guaranteed after the Revolutionary war Used to be controversial Came about with the Passage of Virginia Statute for religious freedom in 1786 Drafted by Thomas Jefferson Excluded MA and CT Passage embraced the idea of religious liberty without state interference Why did most states choose a bicameral legislature?

Articles of Confederation Congress drafted Articles in 1777 for the union of the states Under John Dickinson of PA Congress designed a loose confederation of 13 states, rather than a strong centralized government

Articles of Confederation Reflected the principles of the Declaration Rejected the centralized power of the British Empire as a threat to liberty Federal  structure of new national government The Articles granted certain limited powers to Congress Able to declare and conduct war and to negotiate peace, to regulate foreign affairs, and to administer relations with Indian nations Federal national government consisted of a congress of delegates, chosen by state legislatures rather than by voters Only had a single vote