1. Our First Constitution—the Articles of Confederation (1777-1787)
So, what were the Articles, what kind of government did they establish, and what was so wrong with them that they had to be replaced?

2. Okay, what’s a confederation again?
A group of states loosely tied together
Weak central govt
Strong state governments

3. Articles of Confederation (1777-1787)
13 states operated like semi-independent countries
Agreed to cooperate on some things

4. The Articles of Confederation (1777-1787)
How many branches of government were
there in this first government of the U.S.?
Only one weak branch of
government—
a nearly powerless congress
No chief executive
No national judicial branch

5. Why did the Articles Fail?
States quarreling
Vulnerability

6. Why Did the Articles Fail?
Shay’s Rebellion

7. Constitutional Convention
When:
May-Sept. 1787
Where:
Philadelphia, PA

8. Independence Hall, Philadelphia

9. Key Figures President of the Convention: George Washington
“Father of the Constitution”:
James Madison

10. Which of these Founding Fathers Attended the Convention?
John Adams, Patrick Henry,
Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson
Not There:
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Patrick Henry
Definitely There:
Benjamin Franklin
Alexander Hamilton

11. Article I of the Constitution
Creates a Legislative Branch (Congress) to make laws
Congress has two parts:
--House of Representatives (based on
population)
--U.S. Senate (2 per state)

12. Article II of the Constitution
Sets up an Executive Branch (President)

13. Article III of the Constitution
Sets up a national Judicial Branch with a Supreme Court

14. “Checks & balances”

15. Check for Understanding: Answer on your note paper
What was the U.S. government like under the Articles of Confederation?
How did Shay’s Rebellion make people realize that the Articles of Confederation were ineffective?

16. Summary
At first, the Founding Fathers purposely created a weak government—the Articles of Confederation-- to protect hard-won freedoms
It soon became clear for many reasons that a much stronger government was needed
The Constitution was—and is—the plan of government that the Founding Fathers created