1. Post-Revolutionary Tensions and the Articles of Confederation?
Was the Articles of Confederation a good governing document?
9/14-15

2. A new Nation Attitude Politics Social Equality
Model of liberty and equality
Civic Virtue
Politics
Expanded suffrage
New state constitutions
Protection of individual rights
Social Equality
Slavery
Role of Women
republican motherhood

3. Articles of Confederation
Written by 2nd Continental Congress (1777) and approved by states (1781)
Created a “firm league of friendship”
confederation: most decision-making takes place at the state level; the national government is very weak

4. Successes under the articles
To convince states to ratify Articles, had promised to use disputed land for “common benefit”
Land Ordinance (1785) – plan to organize Northwest Territory
Divide and sell to pay war debts
Some income used to support public education
Northwest Ordinance (1787) – plan to admit new states from Northwest Territory
Temporarily governed by federal appointees
5000 free males = create an assembly
60,000 inhabitants = apply for statehood
No slavery; admitted on same level as original state

5. Challenges under the articles
Economic Problems
European trade restrictions
Lots of war debt
States not contributing money
Worthless paper money
Functioning as a Nation
Lack of unity
Boundary disputes
Trade disputes
Shays Rebellion (1787)
Farmers in tremendous debt; farm foreclosures
Demanded flexible money policy
Armed conflict between protestors and state militia
Doc. 4 Washington on Shays

6. Doc 4– Washington on Shay’s Rebellion
What arguments does Washington give for the creation of a stronger union?
Why does Washington not fear a stronger congress?
What does Washington fear will happen if the U.S. continues down the same path?

7. From the Articles to the Constitution
In what ways did the Constitution “fix” the problems of the Articles of Confederation?

8. Constitutional Convention
The situation in the new nation?
Why called?
Who attended?
How held?
Issues of Concern?

9. A Bundle of Compromises
Representation of States
All states represented equally
(New Jersey Plan)
Representation based on population
(Virginia Plan)
Representation based on wealth
Each chamber has a separate system
(Great Compromise)

10. Selection of Legislators
Chosen by popular election
Chosen by state assemblies
One chamber selected by other chamber
Create 2 chambers with 2 systems

11. Organization of Executive
Single executive with lots of power
Committee with limited power
Single executive with extensive power but checked by other branches

12. Selection of Executive
Chosen by popular election
Chosen by federal legislature
States determine how to select delegates to Electoral College; electors cast ballots for executive
Chosen by state committees

13. Slavery Get rid of it Keep it Count slaves in state’s population
Federal government can’t abolish slave trade until 1808 (20 years); slaves counted as 3/5 a person in population
Count slaves in state’s population
Don’t count slaves in state’s population

14. Ratification of Constitution
Allow the citizens to vote
Allow the state legislatures to vote
States call conventions; members of those conventions vote for ratification; once 9/13 ratify it’s the law of the land

15. PROBLEMS WITH THE ARTICLES
Comparing the Plans
PROBLEMS WITH THE ARTICLES
CONSTITUTIONAL
FIXES
Who seems to benefit the most from this new system?
Have they created a better system? A more democratic one?

16. Who were they? Who were they? What did they believe?
FEDERALISTS
ANTIFEDERALISTS
Who were they?
Small farmers and laborers
Lived along the frontier
Henry, Adams, Gerry
What did they believe?
Too extreme of a change, violates terms of Convention, and will ignore local needs
Constitution creates a national government that will overwhelm state governments
Constitution will lead to tyranny
lacks a Bill of Rights
President and Senate too similar to monarchy and aristocracy
Who were they?
More cultured, educated, and propertied
Lived near seaboard and cities
Madison, Hamilton, Marshall
What did they believe?
Constitution creates a republic that will protect against factions and is well suited for a large nation
Constitution creates a federal system that strengthens central government while protecting states’ rights
Constitution will provide for stability and prosperity

17. Get out your assigned HW from last class!
Using your knowledge from last class pair up with someone that read the same perspective as you and answer the following.
Are states represented appropriately in the plan proposed by the Constitution?
Are you comfortable with the fact that the proposed Constitution does not include a Bill of Rights?
Is it possible that the executive in the proposed Constitution will become too powerful?
Do the people have enough say in the government proposed by the Constitution?
Will the national government in the proposed Constitution overwhelm the state governments?
Whose interests are most protected by the proposed Constitution?
Will the proposed Constitution make our nation more secure and successful?
What will happen to the nation if the proposed Constitution is not adopted?
What is more important to society – liberty or order?
What level of government is best able to respond to citizens needs – state or national?

18. Next Pair up with a person that had a different viewpoint as you and compare your answers and answer the following.
What are three differences in opinion between the federalist and anti-federalist?
In what ways could a compromise be obtained?

19. Ratification Presented to the states in September 1787
Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey quickly ratified
Massachusetts won over by promise of prompt addition of Bill of Rights
New Hampshire provided final “yes”
Constitution officially adopted June 21, 1788
Wouldn’t truly claim legitimacy until adopted by Virginia and New York
New York debate prompted publication of Federalist Papers – written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
Both states influenced by promise of Bill of Rights and fact that it would be hard to exist outside of the nation
Rhode Island the final state to ratify in 1790

20. In-Class FRQ (tie to new test writing and thesis)
To what extent was the United States Constitution a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation?