JAN. 12, TH GRADE US HISTORY Building America Unit Overview

American Revolution Ends Congress (gov) worked to get the 13 colonies to work together Congress tried to rally colonies behind strong centralized government (feared tyranny)

Articles of Confederation “Firm friendship” 1 colony=1 vote led to problems. It was difficult to do anything. Articles allowed congress to raise a military, declare war, print money and set up a postal service It did not bind the colonies Organized Northwest territory. When they had enough population, they created Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio

Shays’s Rebellion Congress printed money but it was worthless. Many people were not paid for their service in the war. Massachusetts: Judges began telling farmers to sell their land if they could not pay their debts. Shays: Hero from the battle of Bunker Hill, went with some men to the armory, grabbled guns, and closed down courthouses so the courts wouldn’t take their lands.

Constitutional Convention Shays’s rebellion proved that people did not respect the government Convention was called among the 13 colonies. Washington was placed as the head of the convention. James Madison the father of the Constitution All in secret.

The Great Compromise Dealing with representation Congress will be made up of 2 bodies: Senate: 2 reps from each state House of Representatives: You get a certain number of representatives based on population. (CA has 55)

Three-fifths Compromise Dealing with the slavery issue Meant to keep the convention moving forward Each slave is worth 3/5 of a vote

Constitution goes to the States Federalists: Wanted new constitution. Anti-federalists: Feared too strong of a government and did not want the new Constitution The Constitution was made to be strong enough to unite the colonies but limited enough so that the people would rule.