Problems Facing the New Nation Debt; colonies owed money to: –Banks –Other nations –British merchants Small Army; facing threats from: –Spain, who blockaded the Mississippi –Britain, who refused to leave their forts until debt was paid What do the colonies need? Money

Articles of Confederation America’s first “constitution”; 1781; document saying how America was to be governed Problems: –Congress couldn’t adopt or collect taxes –9 out of 13 colonies must approve new laws –13 out of 13 colonies must approve changes to the articles –Conflicting trade laws and currencies between states Result: States try to tax individuals

Crisis: Shays’ Rebellion Farmers in trouble –Can’t pay taxes –Can’t afford equipment for their farms –Trouble selling their crops (Spain - Mississippi) 1,200 Farmers violently rebel – Shays’ Rebellion Political leaders decide we need: –Strong Central Government –Law and Order –Control the Mobs – Less Democracy

Constitutional Convention Delegates attend convention to change Articles of Confederation Decide to scrap the articles and start over New Constitution calls for a new strong federal government, supreme over states But, must convince those who don’t want a strong federal government Result: COMPROMISE

Compromises in the Constitution Strong federal government vs. weak federal government –Result: Multiple branches, checks and balances, Bill of Rights Big States vs. Small States –Result: 2 House of Congress, one with equal representatives/state, one based on population Government by the People vs. Law and Order –Result: Electoral College, no direct election of President or Senators