Early American Government

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation A unicameral Congress [9 of 13 votes to pass a law]. 13 out of 13 to amend. Representatives were frequently absent. Could not tax or raise armies. No executive or judicial branches.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 One of the major accomplishments of the Confederation Congress! Statehood achieved in three stages: 1.Congress appointed 3 judges & a governor to govern the territory. 2.When population reached 5,000 adult male landowners  elect territorial legislature. 3.When population reached 60,000  elect delegates to a state constitutional convention.

Shays’ Rebellion: Daniel Shays Western MA Small farmers angered by crushing debts and taxes.

The Constitutional Convention ● What was the organization of the Federal government under the Articles of Confederation? o Issues in regard to foreign policy from the start o The states did not adhere to Treaty of Paris o The states competed for economic advantages o States also entered into boundary disputes

The Constitutional Convention ● Philadelphia Convention o 55 delegates from 12 states (RI did not send a delegate) o George Washington was elected as presiding officer o James Madison, wrote the articles, along with others including Alexander Hamilton o The delegates voted to conduct meetings in secret

The Constitutional Convention ● Ensure a system of checks and balances o Representation was a divisive issue  VA Plan, NJ Plan  Slavery ● 3/5th’s Compromise o Northern states wanted the central government to regulate trade, the South feared export taxes

The Constitutional Convention ● Powers of the Executive o Lots of discussion over this issue and several different viewpoints o Electoral College  Fear of mob rule ● September 17, 1787, the draft of the Constitution was approved o Only 9 states were needed for ratification

Debating the Constitution ● Federalist v. Anti-Federalists o The Federalist Papers  85 essays  Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay o The Federalist agreed to the addition of a Bill of Rights o June 1788, they had 9 states to ratify o By May 1790, all 13 states had made the Constitution the law of the land

Adding the Bill of Rights ● First 10 Amendments o Listed the people’s rights o Drafted largely by James Madison

“I Smelt a Rat” 1.I will assign a partner for you to work with 2.One partner needs to complete the role of Researcher, which means they will control the computer and get and bring back the computer, and the other partner will be the recorder and write down information on the Detective’s Log 3.The Researcher will need to come and get a computer when told it is time 4.Go to this link: 5.Click on “Student View” and then follow the directions 6.The Detective’s Log will be due (one copy for each partnership