1. The US Constitution

2. Sections
Articles of Confederation
US Constitution
Ratification

3. Objectives
List and explain the achievements of the newly formed Confederation Congress.
Analyze the weakness of the Confederation Congress.

4. Articles of Confederation
In November 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
central government
Confederation Congress
powers
Land Ordinance of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Government
Land above the Ohio River
Three to five states
Application for statehood
Civilian rights
Exclusion of slavery
Trade
British restrictions
Commercial treaties
Articles of Confederation

5. Failures of Confederation Congress
Trade
British goods
duties
Diplomacy
Great Britain
Spain
Economy
taxes
currency
Shay’s Rebellion (1786)

6. Chapter 5.1 Questions Why was the Northwest Ordinance set up?
What weaknesses of the Confederation Congress led to call for change in the United States government?

7. A New Constitution
Constitution Convention
Compromise
Framework

8. Constitutional Convention
Nationalist – people that supported a stronger central government
James Madison
Annapolis Convention
Alexander Hamilton
Philadelphia 1787
55 delegates
President
Secretary
Virginia Plan
Three branches of government
Bicameral legislature
Representation
New Jersey Plan
Revise the Articles of Confederation
Unicameral legislature
Powers

9. Compromise Connecticut Compromise Three-Fifths Compromise
Benjamin Franklin
Roger Sherman
Bicameral legislature
House of Representatives
Senate
Three-Fifths Compromise
Slave Trade Compromise

10. Framework of Government
Popular sovereignty – rule by the people
Federalism
Three branches
Legislative – make laws
Executive – implement & enforce
Judicial – interpret laws
Veto
Impeach
Amendments
Proposal
ratification

11. Chapter 5.2 Questions
In what ways did the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan differ?
How did the Great Compromise satisfy both large and small states?
How does the Constitution provide for a separation of powers?

12. “If I shall be in the minority, I shall have those powerful sensations which arise from a conviction of being overpowered in a good cause. Yet I will be a peaceable citizen. My head, my hand, and my heart, shall be at liberty to retrieve the loss of liberty, and remove the defects of that system in a constitutional way.” Patrick Henry
Ratification

13. Chapter 5.3 Questions What factors worked against the Antifederalists?
What finally convinced Virginia and New York to ratify the Constitution?

14. Fight for Ratification
MA, VA, NY
December 1787-January 1788 DE, PA, NJ, GA, CT all quickly ratified the Constitution
MA – Bill of Rights & tenth amendment
VA – Madison’s promise to add a Bill of Rights
NY – delay tactic
March 4, 1789