A Growing Country, Growing Problems Please Hand in your Constitution Center Packets in pile on front table
After Independence Articles of Confederation approved in 1781 Why would the new country create such a weak government?
Growth Proclamation of 1763 gone Westward Settlement begins Central Government to sell land for revenue.
Jefferson’s Idea Divide into self governing districts Certain population = petition for statehood
Ordinance of 1785 Procedure for dividing and selling land Township 6mi x 6mi / 36 sections of 640 Acres Sold at 1 acre per 1 dollar
Northwest Ordinance 1787 Single District N of Ohio and E of Mississippi 60,000 could become a state No Slavery Law protecting rights –Trial By Jury –Freedom of religion
Land Sales Good, Other Problems Bad! Foreign Problems Money Problems Economic Problems Trade Problems
Foreign Problems England Failure to meet terms of Treaty of Paris 1783 Spain Closed Mississippi
Money Problems Debt Why under the Articles of Confederation could the National Government run into money problems?
Economic Depression Inflation Slow economic activity Unemployment up
Economic Depression Crops in the South damaged Most governmental money went to debt payments Shortage of Currency
Unfair Trade Britain closed West Indies to colonial trade
Tough Times for Farmers Many states taxed farmers Farmers unable to pay Lost farms and went to jail
Shay’s Rebellion Capt Daniel Shays Western Massachusetts Jefferson on the revolt “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.”
Weaknesses of the Articles Ineffective national government States too powerful –Clashes between the states Economic Depression
Call for Change Led By: –Alexander Hamilton – Lawyer –James Madison – Planter Revise the Government!
The Annapolis Convention Lack of ability to regulate commerce
Its Time to Meet! Constitutional Convention – May 1787 Originally to meet on trade issues
T-Chart Activity