Unit 4: Building a New Nation Chapter 7: Competing Visions of the Virtuous Republic

State Constitutions 1776, the 2 nd C.C. asked all of the colonies to draft new constitutions & become new states Represented a variety of opinions on a democracy, but most still shared common features Separation of powers – executive, legislative, & judicial branches Drew their authority from the people - republicanism Had a bill of rights

State Constitutions MA constitution became a model to many Created a system of checks & balances Process for ratifying the constitution Called a special convention to draft their constitution Submitted the final draft to the people for ratification

Articles of Confederation Adopted by Congress in 1777, but not ratified by all 13 states until 1781 Disagreement over whether the NW Territory should be designated as a national domain Maryland’s ultimatum – no national domain = no ratification States gave in and agreed to carve new states from the new public domain

Articles of Confederation Created a WEAK central govt. Congress didn’t have the power to tax Congress couldn’t regulate foreign & interstate commerce No court system; no executive to enforce acts of Congress Although they could make war & peace, they didn’t have power to raise troops

Northwest Ordinances Most important accomplishment of the A of C Sold land to raise money for the govt. Set the precedent on how a territory could become a state

Northwest Ordinances Each region subdivided into townships covering 36 square miles, each of which in turn was to be split into 36 sections of 1 square mile each

Northwest Ordinances One section of each township was for public schools Some townships reserved land for veterans The remaining townships were available for sale to land speculators & the general public for $1 an acre

Northwest Ordinances Led to the creation of 5 new states Need 60,000 white males for a territory to apply for admission as a state Slavery was banned north of the Ohio River

Shays’ Rebellion Impoverished backcountry farmers in MA looked to their state govt. for temporary relief from high taxes Farmer’s rebelled, led by Daniel Shays – veteran & farmer Federal govt. had no power to intervene Results MA ended the burden of debtors Convinced leaders that the Articles were too weak U.S. needed a stronger central government!!!

Constitutional Convention 55 delegates from 12 states met in Philly 1787 Most were lawyers, merchants, or planters Hoped to create a stable, enduring political structure Sessions were held in complete secrecy

Compromises Virginia Plan (favored large states) Submitted by James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” 3 branches – legislative, executive, judicial Gave Congress the power to veto laws passed by state legislatures Bicameral legislature with membership based on proportional representation

Compromises… New Jersey Plan (favored small states) 3 branches of govt. Created a unicameral legislature with each state equally represented in Congress

Great Compromise Decided on a bicameral legislature Senate – equal representation House of Representatives – representation based on population State legislatures would elect senators but voters would directly elect their state reps to the House

Three-Fifths Compromise Should slaves be counted in the populations of the southern states? Decided that “free persons” should be counted, along with 3/5 of the slave population Slave trade would continue for 20 more years (until 1808)

Article I, Section. 2 [Slaves count as 3/5 persons] Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons [i.e., slaves]. Article I, Section. 9, clause 1. [No power to ban slavery until 1808]The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person. Article IV, Section. 2. [Free states cannot protect slaves] No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due. Article V [No Constitutional Amendment to Ban Slavery Until 1808]...No Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article.

Electoral College Group of special electors are chosen by the state to vote for presidential candidates Number of electors is equal to the number of state’s senators & representatives in Congress If two candidates receive the same number of electoral votes, the House would choose the President Happened in 1800 & 1824