1. Beginning a Nation
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

2. The Government That Failed
Articles of Confederation
First document to govern US,
Adopted 1777; ratified in 1781
All states needed to ratify
Established a confederation, among 13 states and former colonies.
Congress had few powers
All gov’t power rested w/
states

3. Powers of the National Gov’t
Declare war and make peace
Borrow money
Declare weights and measures for currency
But could not print money
Deal with foreign countries and sign treaties on behalf of US
Operate post offices

4. Weaknesses of the Articles
States had all the power
Could put tariffs between each other
Stopped trade btw states
National government could not:
Tax
Enforce laws amongst states
Print money
Each state printed their own
Organize a system of national courts
No national army or navy
But federal gov’t was required to protect the country
9/13 states had to agree to amend the Articles

5. The Government That Failed
Economic Turmoil
Postwar depression left farmers unable to pay debts
Sympathetic states favored debtors
Shays’ Rebellion
Attacks on courthouses to block foreclosures
Led by Daniel Shays
Questioned ability of states to keep order
Economic elite concerned about Articles’inability protect property rights

6. The Annapolis Meeting Attempt to discuss changes of the AoC
Only 12 people showed up representing 5 states
Called for a meeting in May 1787 to discuss changes
Known as the Constitutional Convention

7. The Philadelphia Convention
Gentlemen in Philadelphia
55 men from 12 of the 13 states
Rhode Island decided not to show up
Most were wealthy
planters and
merchants
College graduates
Coastal residents
from larger cities
Who is the “Father
of the Constitution”?
James Madison

8. The Agenda in Philadelphia
The Equality Issues
Equality and Representation of the States
New Jersey Plan—equal rep. in states
Virginia Plan—population-based
rep.
Connecticut Compromise
Two house legislature
Senate – equal rep.
House of Representatives – proportional to population
Slavery
Three-fifths compromise
Political Equality and voting left to states

9. The Madisonian Model Constitutional Republic
Republic: Form of gov’t where the people select representatives to govern and make laws
Favors the status quo – change is slow

10. Five Principles of Government
Popular Sovereignty
Rule of the people provides legitimacy for the gov’t
Limited Government
Gov’t that is bound to certain principles by a constitution
Federalism
System that allows states to share power with the nat’l gov’t
Each level has their own responsibilities
Separation of Powers
Providing different branches of gov’t with different but equal powers
Checks and Balances
Each gov’t branch balancing the others to ensure no one becomes too powerful

11. Ratifying the Constitution – The Federalists
Federalist Papers
85 articles in support of ratifying the Constitution
Large landowners, wealthy merchants, professionals
Main Supporters (and writers):
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
James Madison
Signed “Publius” to defend Constitution

12. Ratifying the Constitution – The Federalists
Argued for:
Said it was written in a way that would defend the people – all people, majority and minority
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Ability to check factions within the people
Strong central gov’t
Felt weak economic ties lead to a weak country

13. Ratifying the Constitution: The Anti-Federals
Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers
Collection of papers arguing against the ratification of the Constitution
Main supporters:
Thomas Jefferson
James Monroe
Patrick Henry
Samuel Adams
Signed “Cato” and “Brutus” but emphasized their worry about the possible tyranny of the federal gov’t

14. Ratifying the Constitution: The Anti-Federals
Argued against:
Power of the central gov’t
Weaknesses of the state gov’t
Felt states could better manage their revenue and money
Lack of protection for the people
Demanded a Bill of Rights to protect the people
Worried about the tyranny of the federal gov’t