Creating the Constitution

2 The Articles of Confederation During the Revolution, the new United States needed a functioning government Modeled after colonial governments States would retain sovereignty Founders were fearful of concentrated power due to past experience with the British

3 A Limited Government Articles established a “firm league of friendship” among the states Bills were passed on nine of thirteen votes Amending the Articles took unanimous consent of the states

4 Structure of Government Unicameral (single house) legislative body Each state had one vote regardless of population size Congress given sole authority to govern the country An executive committee oversaw government when Congress was not in session Congress would establish temporary courts to hear disputes among the states

5 Powers Granted to Government under the Articles of Confederation Declare war and make peace Make treaties with foreign countries Establish an army and navy Appoint high-ranking military officials Requisition, print, and borrow money Establish weights and measures Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries

6 Powers Denied to Government No power to raise funds for an army or navy No power to tax, impose tariffs, or collect duties No executive branch to enforce laws No power to control trade among the states No power to force states to honor obligations No power to regulate the value of currency

7 Accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation Negotiated the Treaty of Paris with Britain in 1783 Land Ordinance 1785 –Sell land, raise $ –Land parcels –Public education parcels Northwest Ordinance of 1787 –Admitting new states –No slavery Map of the land settled in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787

8 Problems Facing the New Nation Trade with foreign nations Financing the nation Foreign relations Interstate relations A 1783 cartoon satirizing relations between Britain and America

9 Problems with Trade U.S. no longer the favorite trading partner of Great Britain –U.S. exports to British ports had to be on British ships –Many U.S.-produced goods were barred from British ports –Britain sent vast amounts of cheap goods to U.S. Potential Remedy –Establish a tariff on British goods Weakness in Articles of Confederation preventing this solution

Group Discussion: Who is Daniel Shay? Is he a hero? Or villain?

Let’s Fix the Articles! 11

Part II: the Philadelphia Convention The Virginians 12 You’re all demigods!

“A Convention of Demigods!” –T. Jefferson 55 delegates 13 were businessmen 17 were land speculators 12 plantation owners/slave owners 9 public office owners 14 considered wealthy Who is absent? Thomas Jefferson in Paris John Adams in England PROTESTORS!!! Samuel Adams John Hancock Patrick Henry

Let’s Simulate! No longer 13 colonies Now 13 STATES! Each with their own agenda…. Under the Articles…. Need 9 of 13 votes to pass! 14

The Constitutional Convention 1. Should we have a strong federal government or a weak federal government? 15

Give to States? Federal Gov? Both? 1.Who can make war? 2. Who can make treaties? 3. Who can raise an army and navy? 4. Who can borrow money? 5. Who deals with Indian problems? 6. Who can create a system of laws? 7. Who can coin and print money? 8. Who will set the value of money? 9. Who will establish and collect taxes? 16

Give to States? Federal Gov? Both? Who will regulate trade between states in America? 11. Who will pay soldiers who fought in the War of Independence? 12. Who will deal with border issues? 13. Who will sell land? 14. Who will settle land boundaries? 15. Who will pay the debt to France?

Give to States? Federal Gov? Both? Who will establish a capital? 17. Who decides where the capital will be built? 18. Who will send ambassadors? 19. Who will receive ambassadors? 20. Who will take care of armed aggression? 21. Who will raise money for Congress? 22. Who will decide on the additions of new states? 23. Who will decide on slavery?

Tally it Up! Compromises? 19

Compromises Federalism = Delegated Powers= Reserved Powers= “Elastic Clause”= Checks and Balances=

Approve the Constitution??? The Federalists v. the Anti- Federalists Group Discussion: What were the issues?