Articles to Constitution

The Articles of Confederation Overview Established a confederation—an association of independent sovereign states with certain common goals Formally adopted the Articles of Confederation in November 1777 Powers of the new government states retained most of their powers. Weak national government Legislative branch, Continental Congress Each state had only one vote, regardless of population

Figure 3.1 Lines of Power in the Federal System of Government

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (1781) Could not levy taxes or regulate commerce Sovereignty, independence retained by states One vote in Congress for each state Nine of thirteen votes in Congress required for any measure Delegates to Congress chosen and paid by state legislatures Little money coined by Congress Army small and dependent on independent state militias Territorial disputes between states led to open hostilities No national judicial system All thirteen states’ consent necessary for any amendments

Library of Congress John Hancock was proud to have signed the Declaration of Independence but thought so little of the presidency under the Articles of Confederation that he never bothered to accept the job. p. 24 Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Shays’ Rebellion Effects of Shays’ Rebellion Causes of Shays’ Rebellion In order to help pay off its large debts, Massachusetts passed the heaviest direct tax ever. This tax had to be paid in specie, gold or silver coin, rather than paper money. A group of farmers led by Daniel Shays rebelled against these taxes in a crisis which came to be known as Shays’ Rebellion. Farmers drove off tax collectors and forced courts to close when their petitions were rejected. Soon, open conflict raged as angry crowds rioted. Effects of Shays’ Rebellion Congress had no money to raise an army to counter Shays’ Rebellion. It also could not force states to pay for one. The Massachusetts state government raised an army that quieted the rebellion. However, Shays’ Rebellion demonstrated to many prominent Americans that a stronger national government was needed to avoid civil unrest.

Bettmann/Corbis Shays’s Rebellion in western Massachusetts in 1786–1787 stirred deep fears of anarchy in America. The ruckus was put down by a hastily assembled militia, and the rebels were eventually pardoned. p. 26 Copyright © 2011 Cengage

Enter the Constitution Initially the delegates met to revise the Articles, not replace them At the Constitutional Convention, representatives from each state (except Rhode Island) begin to write a list of rules to replace the weak Articles of Confederation Most delegates want a strong national government However, they also wanted to have strong local governments After much debate, the Constitution was finally signed in September 1787 It was then sent to the states to be approved But the story doesn’t end there…

Philadelphia 53 Delegates met in absolute secrecy in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787. They met in Indepedence Hall. On average their were about 30 delegates their every day. James Madison was the only delegate to never miss a day. Earns nickname “Father of the Constitution” But there is a great divide

# of Congressmen determined by state population Virginia Plan Proposed by big states Lawmaking body: Bicameral (2 Houses) Based on Population Elected by the 1st house Elected by the people # of Congressmen determined by state population

Supported by smaller states New Jersey Plan Supported by smaller states Lawmaking body: Unicameral (1 House) Each state would have the same number of Representatives or votes Based on Equality

The Great Compromise This was a combination of both plans… Lawmaking body: Bicameral Congress (2 Houses) Senate House of Representatives Each state gets 2 representatives # of reps. would depend on populations

Slavery Slavery became an issue with population. In the south, slavery made up 1/3 of the population The south wanted them to count in their population so they would have more votes. Slaves however could not vote.

3/5 Compromise They decided to count 3/5 of the total number of slaves as population. 5 blacks = 3 whites. Slaves still could not vote

( How the Government will be organized ) Separation of Powers ( How the Government will be organized ) 3 Branches Executive Judicial Legislative Court System President House of Reps. Senate = Congress Makes Laws Carries out laws Interpret the laws

Amendments Before any of the states would sign the Constitution, the delegates wanted a way to amend the Constitution in order for it to grow with the times and the country. Bill of Rights 1st Amendment 2nd Amendment 3rd Amendment

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Figure 3.1 Lines of Power in the Federal System of Government

Getting to Ratification The debate that created a 2 party system

Federalists vs. Anti Federalists ... Let the Battle Begin... Federalists: Published series of essays under pseudonym: PUBLIUS George Washington Ben Franklin James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay Anti Federalists* - Opposed ratification of the new Constitution as it was written Thomas Paine Patrick Henry Thomas Jefferson *Wanted the government to be close to the people Some framers thought Constitution gave the govt too much power Argued states should have more power because they were closer to the people…what could a national government possibly know about state and city problems? no Bill of Rights – nothing that said what people can and cannot do Those opposed campaigned against the Constitution, arguing that it would create a government with so much power, it would just be like having a king again. The Federalists supported the Constitution as it was. After all, it was decided upon by representatives from each state The Constitution had a strong sense of CHECKS AND BALANCES, or a balance of power between the three branches of the national government and the local and state governments The Federalists wrote the “Federalist Papers” to encourage states to approve the Constitution

Issue Anti-Federalists Fear Federalists Response Protection of Individual Rights The rights guaranteed to the people should be included in the Constitution or else they are not guaranteed The checks and balances are enough to keep the government from taking the rights of the people away.

Enter the “Fight” Constitution needed 9 of the 13 states to approve it in order for it to become law Both sides (the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists) tried to convince people their side was correct After great debate, the states finally ratified the Constitution…only if there was a Bill of Rights

p. 35 American Antiquarian Society

Take a moment and reflect…. Do the Anti-Federalists care more about protecting individual rights or promoting the common good? Do the Federalists care more about protecting individual rights or promoting the common good?

Individual Rights The Anti-Federalists were more concerned with protecting the rights of the individual people and states, then promoting the pubic good as a whole. While Federalists didn’t think it was really necessary, they agreed to add a Bill of Rights so that both sides would be happy The rights would be added as amendments…meaning they were seen as “official changes, corrections, or additions” The Bill of Rights were based upon the constitutions developed by the states There were a total of ten amendments added…and they became known as “The Bill of Rights” Now let’s debrief all of this…

Quote Throw down! You will be shown a quote and you must decide WHO SAID THIS? The Anti-Federalists or the Federalists You will work in groups, and write the answer on your paper Do not show other groups.

Quote #1: “All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and well born; the other, the mass of people…. The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right. Give therefore the first class a ….permanent share in the government….they therefore will ever maintain good government.” Who said it? _______________________

Quote #1 Who said it? FEDERALISTS

Quote #2: “It must be by this time evident to all men…that (the Articles of Confederation) is a system so radically vicious and unsound as to admit….an entire change.” Who said it? _______________________

Quote #2 Who said it? FEDERALISTS

Quote #3: “Our country is too large to have all affairs directed by a single government.” Who said it? _______________________

Quote #3 Who said it? ANTI-FEDERALISTS

Quote #3: “The small landowners are the most precious part of the state.” Who said it? _______________________

Quote #3 Who said it? ANTI-FEDERALISTS

Quote #4: “I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground – that all powers not delegate (given) to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states, or to the people….” Who said it? _______________________

Quote # 4 Who said it? ANTI-FEDERALIST

Quote #5: “The powers contained in the constitution….ought to be construed liberally in advancement of the public good.” Who said it? _______________________

Quote # 5 Who said it? FEDERALISTS

Quote #6: “I am not among those who fear the people. They, not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom.” Who said it? _______________________

Quote #6 Who said it? ANTI-FEDERALISTS

Quote #7: "I had rather be a free citizen of the small republic of Massachusetts, than an oppressed subject of the great American empire." Who said it? _______________________

Quote #7 Who said it? ANTI-FEDERALISTS

Quote #8: "I had rather be a free citizen of the small republic of Massachusetts, than an oppressed subject of the great American empire." Who said it? _______________________

Quote #8: “Among the numerous advantages promised by a well-constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction.” Who said it? _______________________

Quote #9 Who said it? FEDERALISTS

Quote #10: “An elective [monarchy] was not the government we fought for; but one in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among the several bodies of magistracy as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.” Who said it? _______________________

Quote # 10 Who said it? FEDERALISTS

Quote #11: “When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Who said it? _______________________

Quote #11 Who said it? ANTI-FEDERALISTS

Quote #12: “… the power vested in congress of sending troops for suppressing insurrections will always enable them to stifle the first struggles of freedom." Who said it? _______________________

Quote #12 Who said it? ANTI-FEDERALISTS