The Revolution to the Constitution

The New Government Articles of Confederation (1777) Articles of Confederation (1777) Is the Articles of Confederation a weak or a strong government? Use the quote for clues… “The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare…” WEAK! – Why? –Created a one branch legislature with only these powers:  Sign treaties  Declare war  Borrow money  Appoint a commander to the militia –Each state has one vote  9/13 vote to pass laws  Unanimous vote to amend the Articles

Weaknesses of the Articles What were some other weaknesses of the Articles? –One vote for each state, regardless of size. –Congress cannot collect taxes to raise money. –Congress is powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. –No separate executive branch to enforce acts of Congress. –No national court to interpret laws.

Failures of the Articles Economics Economics –States print their own currency. Inter-state Issues. Inter-state Issues. –States sign own treaties with foreign countries, build own navies. –States have “cold wars” with each-other over western lands. Shay’s Rebellion Shay’s Rebellion –1786, Massachusetts raises taxes to pay war debt. –Massachusetts farmers revolt, storm the capitol building. –Mass. bankers must hire private army to put down rebellion.

The Constitutional Convention May-September 1787, Philadelphia May-September 1787, Philadelphia –George Washington acts as President of the Convention –Convention was only empowered to amend the Articles, but instead decides to start anew.   Treason?

Two Conflicting Ideas! Virginia Plan Virginia Plan  Congress given power to tax, regulate commerce  Bicameral legislature –Representation based on population  Executive Branch to enforce laws  Judicial Branch to review laws New Jersey Plan New Jersey Plan  Congress given power to tax, regulate commerce  Unicameral legislature –1 per state  Executive Branch  Judicial

A New Constitution! The Great Compromise The Great Compromise –Connecticut negotiates… The New Plan The New Plan  Congress given power to tax, regulate commerce  Bicameral legislature –“House of Reps” representation based on population –“Senate’s” representation based on 2 per state.  Executive Branch to enforce laws  Judicial Branch to review laws Problem: Is a slave a citizen? Three/Fifth Compromise Three/Fifth Compromise –Appeases southern states

The Battle for Ratification For the Constitution to become law, 9 of 13 states had to ratify it. For the Constitution to become law, 9 of 13 states had to ratify it. –This set up one of the greatest debates in our nation’s history.  Federalist = Favor the strong national government that the new Constitution provided.  Anti-Federalist = Believe that the new Constitution posed a threat to state governments and the rights of individuals.

Federalists Who? Who? –Well educated and propertied class. Most live in large cities/towns. Positions Positions –In favor of strong national government –Articles of Confederation were weak and ineffective. –Strong national government needed to control uncooperative states. –“Men of experience and talent” should govern the nation. –National government would naturally protect the rights of the people

Anti-federalists Who? Who? –States’ rights advocates, frontiersmen, poor farmers, ill-educated and illiterate, debtors Positions: Positions: –In favor of a weak national government. –Articles of Confederation were a good plan. –Constitution favored the wealthy. –Strong national government threatened the rights of the common people. –Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights