1. The Articles of Confederation
Regents Review
The Articles of Confederation

2. 5 Weaknesses In The Articles of Confederation
Weak central government (strong state governments)
Federal government could not collect taxes.
No Federal military
States were coining their own money
States were making their own foreign treaties.

3. Shay’s Rebellion
Uprising led by Massachusetts farmers against paying taxes.
Attack a Federal arsenal and the Federal government had no military to protect itself.
Send in state militia.
**Proved weakness of Articles.

4. Representation
Problem- large states want representation based on population. Small states want equal representation.
Solution- Bicameral legislature (2 Houses). Created Congress. House of Representatives is based on population and Senate is equal representation (2 from each state).

5. Commerce (Trade)
Problem- North wants Federal government to regulate trade. South wants states to regulate trade because they are afraid the Federal government will end the slave trade.
Solution-Federal government gets right to regulate trade, but cannot end the slave trade until This just ends the importation of slaves, not slavery itself.

6. Slaves
Problem- North wants slaves to count for taxes, but not representation. South wants slaves to count for representation, but not taxes.
Solution- 3/5th Compromise. Each slave will count as 3/5th of a person. Example-
15slaves X 3/5th = 9 slaves for taxes and reps.

7. Executive Branch
Problem- How many people should compromise the executive branch? How should they be selected?
Solution- President and Vice President. Chosen by the electoral college. The electoral college is a safety net.

8. Federalist Supported ratification of the Constitution.
Better than the Articles of Confederation.
Balanced power between state and Federal government (Federalism).

9. Anti-Federalists Did not support ratification of the Constitution.
Not enough protection for individual rights.
Added the Bill of Rights – 1787
Federalist Papers- persuasive essays.

10. Preamble
The Preamble says- Americans expect their government to defend justice and liberty and provide peace and safety from foreign countries.
Purpose- The Preamble describes the purpose of the government set up by the Constitution.