List and explain at least two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Pump Primer CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4: CONSTITUTIONAL BEGINNINGS

Every blessing comes from the Lord and His mercy is abundantly evident in the course of our history. (Prov. 16:9) Biblical Integration CHAPTER 4

Learning Objectives: 4-1 Identify the factors that influenced American colonial governments Explain the significance of the declaration of Independence as a means of justifying the American colonies’ separation from Great Britain Describe the forces that shaped the Confederation government Identify the Confederation weaknesses. 4-2 Outline the three major compromises of the Constitutional Convention Define the role of political compromise in a free society. 4-3 Identify The Federalist Papers. Discuss the arguments for and against ratification. Explain the significance of the ratification of the Constitution

CONFEDERATION CRISES

Political Influence and Motivation Local government Provided order and leadership Legislative government - 1 st representative assembly - House of Burgesses ( Wiliamsburg, VA) - Colonial assemblies Encouraged political participation Principle of representation Provided leadership training Limited government pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Tension and War in America elements that started American frustration leading to the Revolution: End of French and Indian War George III becomes king of England Stamp Act (1765) Violated the Petition of Right - enforced military control and economic instability Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770) Monopolization of the tea trade resulted in a boycott Boston Tea Party (1773) pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Increasing British control Imposed peacetime army and required colonials to provision the soldiers Violated the Petition of Right Tea boycott Boston Tea Party British response pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

First Continental Congress (September 1774) Philadelphia (for 2 months) Delegates from every colony except Georgia Accomplishments Issued Declaration of Grievance to King George III - also defined their rights as Americans, not British subjects. pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Second Continental Congress ( ) Began shortly after the conflict at Lexington and Concord - late spring 1775 Tasks: - Military - Declaration of Independence pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Congress faced two major tasks: Deal with the military emergency around Boston Present a formal declaration of independence pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

American Independence—1776 George Washington placed at head of the Continental army Writing of Declaration of Independence Committee of five - primarily written by Thomas Jefferson Presented June 28, 1776 Approved July 4, 1776 pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Declaration of Independence stressed four major laws, or truths: pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

1.All humans “are created equal” 2.All humans “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

3.Governments are instituted “to secure these rights” 4.If governments become “destructive of these ends,” they may rightfully be abolished pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Second Continental Congress functioned as the national government Weak legislature with little power New state governments were formed Strong and independent pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Articles of Confederation Formalized the status quo “Firm league of friendship” Ratification required four years Unicameral legislature with no executive or judiciary Each state got one vote pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Articles of Confederation had one crucial weakness: an inability to enforce its policies pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Calls for Change Realization of problems Commercial disputes Maryland and Virginia (interstate commerce) Annapolis Convention Only five states attended Called for another meeting in 1787 pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Shays’s Rebellion Daniel Shay led a small army of farmers in heavy debt to close down county courthouses foreclosures & debtors prison Quickly ended, but caused much concern Fear of anarchy pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Toward a New Government Constitutional Convention began on May 25, 1787 George Washington elected president of convention Rule of secrecy Committee of the whole pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Within five days, the delegates agreed overwhelmingly that “a national government ought to be established consisting of a Supreme Legislative, Judiciary, and Executive.” pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Representation Virginia Plan Representation based on population or revenue Bicameral legislature held most of the power Favored the larger states pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Representation New Jersey Plan Equal representation for each state Unicameral legislature Weak plural executive Favored the smaller states pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 4

There were three major issues which required compromise. pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Representation Connecticut Compromise Roger Sherman Representation in lower house based on population Equal representation for each state in the Senate pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Slavery Should slaves be counted in determining representation? Three-Fifths Compromise pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Commerce Congress was given power over foreign and interstate commerce Congress could not impose any export duties on the states Congress could not interfere with the slave trade for at least twenty years pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Other Agreements Electoral College Treaties September 17, 1787: signing of the Constitution pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

RATIFICATION CONTROVERSY

Article VII Approval of at least nine states was required Federalists: advocates of the Constitution Anti-Federalists: opposed ratification pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Federalist Papers New York 85 essays Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Federalist Papers No “The Utility of the Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection” (James Madison) No. 51 – “The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments” (James Madison) No. 78 – “The Judiciary” (Alexander Hamilton)

The Battle in Virginia Federalists: Madison, Washington, Jefferson Anti-Federalists: Henry, Randolph, Mason Pledge of a bill of rights Approved by a vote of pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Battle in New York Federalists: Hamilton Anti-Federalists: Clinton Approved by a vote of There were now eleven states that had ratified the Constitution (NC, RI would ratify later) pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The United States was the world’s first constitutional democracy. pp CHAPTER 4AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Works Cited: 1 st Continental Congress. YouTube.com. 2 Sep Web. 20 Aug Declaration of Independence. YouTube.com. 9 Mar Web. 15 July I Have Looked for Our Rights. YouTube.com. 13 Aug Web. 20 Aug What Were the Articles of Confederation? America: Facts vs. Fiction, youTube.com. 26 Aug Web. 20 Aug