1. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Why did the Founding Fathers Choose a Confederation plan of government?
Why Did the Founding Fathers believe the Articles needed to be replaced by the US Constitution?
Strengths
Weaknesses
The first system of government designed by the Founding Fathers was a Confederation. Under a Confederate system, the National or Central Government is given only a few powers, while most of the power is reserved for the States.

2. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
The Articles had 2 major achievements:
Bringing the Revolutionary War to a successful conclusion
North West Ordinance (plan for governing the western lands)

3. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Declare War &
Establish an Army/Navy
No Power to Draft Soldiers

4. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Make Peace & Sign Treaties
No Power to Enforce Treaties

5. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
No Power to Collect Taxes from the States
Borrow Money

6. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Organize a
Post Office

7. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
No Chief Executive
No national court system
No Power to Regulate Interstate Commerce
No National Currency
Difficult to Pass laws (2/3 vote)

8. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Difficult to Amend
(unanimous vote needed to change the articles)

9. The Articles of Confederation
No Chief Executive
No National Court System
No Power to Draft Soldiers
No Power to Control Interstate Commerce
No Power to Enforce Treaties
No Power to Collect Taxes from the States
Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote)
No National Currency
Difficult to Amend
(Unanimous Vote Needed to Change Articles)
Congress given the power to:
Declare War
Make Peace
Sign Treaties
Borrow Money
Establish an Army & Navy
Organize a Post Office

10. Conclusion
Why did the Founding Fathers Choose a Confederation plan of government?
They feared that a strong central government would create tyranny, and stamp out the peoples natural God given rights.

11. Shay’s rebellion proved the need to strengthen the government.
Conclusion
Why Did the Founding Fathers believe the Articles needed to be replaced by the US Constitution?
The nation needed to function as ONE united country & not 13 small unorganized nations.
Shay’s rebellion proved the need to strengthen the government.

12. Shay’s Rebellion forced gov’t to realize they needed a stronger gov’t
An uprising of farmers in Massachusetts – led by Daniel Shays.
Helped convince leaders that a strong central government was needed.
"A scene at Springfield, during Shay's Rebellion, when the mob attempted to prevent the holding of the Courts of Justice."—E. Benjamin Andrews, 1895

13. What is the US Constitution?
The supreme law of the United States.
It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the Federal Government of the United States.
It provides the framework for the organization of the United States Government.

17. Patrick Henry who had been elected as a delegate refused to attend
He said he
“smelled a rat in Philadelphia, tending toward monarchy.”

20. George Washington- elected president for the convention

21. What issues were debated?

23. Representation in Congress
This political cartoon illustrates an issue
discussed during the Constitutional Convention of The issue was over—
Representation in Congress

24. Large states Small states
B. Summarizing Use the chart below to summarize the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.
2.The New Jersey Plan proposed a legislature that consisted of:
The Virginia plan proposed a legislature that consisted of:
Two houses with representation according to population or wealth
One house with each state having equal votes
4. Who supported the New Jersey Plan?
3. Who supported the Virginia Plan?
Large states
Small states
5. How did the Great Compromise settle this issue?
It created a 2 house legislature:
representation by population in one house
equal representation for each state in the other house

26. C. Analyzing Points of View briefly explain the disagreement between Northerners and Southerners that was settled by the Three-Fifths Compromise.
Southerners-wanted slaves to be counted for population but not for taxation
Northerners-wanted slaves to be counted for taxation but not for representation.
Three-Fifths Compromise counted 3/5s of the slave population for both representation and taxation.

27. Not only does each branch of the government have particular powers each branch has certain powers over the other branchs. This is done to keep them balanced and to prevent one branch form ever gaining too much power. For example:
________________________________________
Congress may pass laws but the President can veto them.
The President can veto laws but Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 vote.
The President and Congreess may agree on a law but the Supreme Court can declare a law unconsitutional.
The President can appoint Judges and other government officials but Senate must approve them.
Supreme Court judges have life terms but they can be impeached .

34. Washington Becomes President

35. Washington’s Cabinet

36. Alexander Hamilton