1. From Confederation to a Federation
Building a New Nation
From Confederation to a Federation

2. We will: learn the purpose, effectiveness and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
I Will: construct a thesis and prove an argument that one provision of the Constitution of the United States would help address a problem facing the United States in the 1780’s & reflects Enlightenment thinking.

3. Lesson A: Time Line 1775-1783: American Rev. being fought
1776: Continental Congress adopts Declaration of  Independence
1777: Continental Congress adopts the Articles of  Confederation
1786: Shays Rebellion 
1787: Constitutional Convention drafts the Constitution
1789: Constitution is ratified by 9 of the 13 states
1789: The original G-Dubya is elected President

4. The Articles of Confederation
CRASH COURSE:
The Articles of Confederation
Define:
FIRM LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEEN THE STATES
Confederation where States maintained SOVERIGNTY! (Ultimate and superior political authority to make decisions within their own boarders)
Gave STATES more power than Congress!
What they could NOT DO?
What could CONGRESS DO?
Declare War
Coin $
Pass Laws
Treaties
Raise Troops
Levy (Pass)Taxes
Force States to Comply!
No Judicial Branch
No Executive Branch
Amend w/o Unanimous vote
Americans distrusted a STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT!
Then WHY make
AofC???

5. Be ready to explain your conclusion please.
SOVEREIGNTY
Look up these terms using your phone. Who has MORE Sovereignty (power or decision making authority) Central government, State government or both?
Unitary System
Confederation
Federal System
If your family was a government structure what kind would it be?
(Assume Parents = Central Gov't Kids = States)
a. Unitary
b. Confederation
c. Federal
Be ready to explain your conclusion please.

6. The Northwest Land Ordinances
1 Good Law of A.ofC. Questions from Packet
Question: How do we ensure the growth of our new Nation?
Orderly creation of New States on = terms (5 New Sts)
Outlined how cities and towns would look
Banned Slavery

7. Problems? 1. Shays Rebellion (Mass) 2. State Economic Disputes
Debt, Trade Disputes, Economic Depression, Territorial disputes, Foreign Commerce, Pirates and impressments…
1. Shays Rebellion (Mass)
2. State Economic Disputes
1785 Mt. Vernon Conf VA/MD
1786 Annapolis Conv.
1787 meeting of all 13 to fix AofC.

8. What was the purpose of creating the Constitution?
Part 2: The Constitution
What was the purpose of creating the Constitution?

9. We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Why did the people of the United States feel the need to FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION?

10. The Constitution of the United States of America
A Less Perfect Union
Problem: How to create a more perfect union that gives the central government enough power to protect us and handle national affairs but not too strong to violate our Natural Rights?