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The Articles of Confederation
Section 1
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State Constitutions Each State drafted their own Constitutions by 1777. These constitutions limited the power of the government. First state to replace governor with 12 council members Pennsylvania
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How they limited Power Divided Power
Between governor and a legislature Many set up a bicameral – two house system to divide power further. This keeps power in the people’s hands. All these legislators were popularly elected.
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Forming a Republic They wanted a weak central government
They wanted to be small independent countries Only working together to wage war or handle relationships with other countries.
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New Government The Articles of Confederation –adopted in Nov. 1777.
States – sovereignty, freedom and independence Congress – conduct foreign affairs, maintain armed forces, borrow money and issue currency (money) Congress could not – regulate trade, press citizens to join army, or impose taxes
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Cont… No chief executive, business was handled through congressional committees. How legislature worked Each state had 1 vote All states had to approve articles and all amendments On March 1, 1781 the colonies became known as the United States of America after the articles were approved.
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Cont… Won their independence from Great Britain
Expanded the foreign trade Helped set up the settlements and government of the western territories.
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New Land Policies How territories applied for statehood
Population had to reach the smallest states’ population at the time Then they had to petition for statehood This happened after western territories control was handed over to the central government
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The Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance This established a process to survey and sell land north of the Ohio River. Divided into townships 6 miles by 6 miles then divided into 36 sections. Passed in 1787 Area included land east of the Mississippi River, north of the Ohio River and West of the Appalachian Mountains Contained a bill of rights No slavery 60,000 people to apply for statehood The Ordinance’s
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Trouble occurs Printed money – depreciated (dropped in value)
Food prices rose and many were upset. The debt from the Revolutionary War became a huge problem.
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Robert Morris’s Import Tax
1781 – Robert Morris was put in charge to run the country’s finances Established a 5% sales tax on imported goods He wanted Congress to be in charge To levy taxes Rhode Island would not approve so the financial crisis continued.
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Problems Kept forts in the Great Lakes region
Great Britain Spain Kept forts in the Great Lakes region Trade problems prevented with the West Indies They were mad that Loyalists did not get paid for lost property during the war. Controlled Florida and lands west of the Mississippi River They closed the River to the American settlers. An agreement was possible but Southern states blocked it from being passed. Problems
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Convention and Compromise
Section 2
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Changes need to be made Wanted a stronger government
Articles Shay’s Rebellion Wanted a stronger government Pull the states out of the depression Money the government collected went to paying foreign debts Farmers had trouble selling products State’s seized lands and threw farmers in jail. 1786 – courts forced to close to prevent losing land 1,000 men went to raid a federal arsenal 4 men were killed during the stand. Changes need to be made
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Slavery 1776 to 1786 – 11 states outlawed or taxed the import of slaves South Carolina and Georgia did not Quakers established an anti-slavery movement By 1804 –Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey ended slavery.
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Freed African Americans faced
Discrimination Being banned from public places Could not vote Children had to attend separate schools Attended their own churches and established their own mutual-aid societies
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The Constitutional Convention
James Madison and Alexander Hamilton led the charge to change the Articles of Confederation. When Washington decided to attend the meeting it became more important. They met in Philadelphia
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Cont… 55 delegates attended
White males from the age of 80 to under 30 years old. Women, Native Americans, African Americans were not in attendance or permitted to attend.
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Important Members/Info
James Madison – Author (note taker) George Washington – Presided over the meetings (chairman) Each state only received 1 vote 7 of the 13 states had to be in attendance at the meeting Meetings were closed door
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Possible Plans for Government
Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan Strong National Government 2 house legislature Lower house – elected by the people Upper house – chosen by members of the lower house Members would be proportional to the population of each state Chief executive chosen by the legislature Court system One house legislature One vote for each state Congress could set taxes and regulate trade Congress could elect a weak executive branch of more than one person Possible Plans for Government
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The Compromise Roger Sherman’s suggestion 2 house legislature
The Great Compromise The Three-Fifths Compromise Roger Sherman’s suggestion 2 house legislature Lower House – House of Representatives – based on states population Upper House – Senate – 2 members per state How to count enslaved people. Argument North – Slaves were property South – wanted them counted into population for more representatives To be counted only for taxes Solution: A slave is to be counted as 3/5 a person The Compromise
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Northern states banned slave trade
Bill of Rights Northern states banned slave trade Southern states thought slaves were essential to their economies They agreed Congress would not interfere in the slave trade. Believed the new government would abuse its power They believed it wasn’t needed because the powers were defined in the Constitution.
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Constitution Approved
September 17, 1787 it was signed All delegates signed in Philadelphia 3 delegates refused to sign Elbridge Gerry Edmund Randolph George Mason Only 9 of the 13 states needed to approve the Constitution.
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A New Plan of Government
Section 3
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Roots of the Constitution
Framework for a strong central government. Other governments were studied in the process of building our government. Ancient Greece British Documents that influenced English Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights Enlightenment
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Enlightenment Philosophers
John Locke Baron de Montesquieu English philosopher Belief – all people had natural rights To include life, liberty and property He believed that government was an agreement between the people and the ruler. French philosopher Belief – powers of government should be separated and balanced He believed that it would prevent any single person or group from gaining too much power. Enlightenment Philosophers
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Ideas to the Constitution
Federal System Supreme Law of the Land Powers divided between – National and States National (Federal) – regulate trade, control currency, raise an army, and declare war State – regulate trade within their borders, establish – local government, schools, and set laws for marriage and divorce. Both could set taxes and administer criminal justice. The Constitution and laws No state could make or take actions against the federal government. Any argument between the two would be settled in the federal court system. Ideas to the Constitution
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New Government What makes up this branch? What makes up this branch?
Legislative Branch – Article 1 Executive Branch – Article II What makes up this branch? House of Representatives Senate Powers of Congress Collecting taxes Coining money Regulating trade Can declare war Raise and support armies Make all the laws in Government What makes up this branch? President Vice President Job To carry out the laws and policies Commander and chief of the armed forces Foreign policy leader Elected by the Electoral College New Government
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Each state has their own number of Electoral College voters
Judicial Branch – Article III Each state has their own number of Electoral College voters Number = House of Representative and Senate members. The member elected to the office of President and Vice President will serve a 4 year term. What makes up this branch? The Court System Job Hear cases involving the Constitution Laws passed by Congress And disputes between states
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System of Checks and Balances
Means no one branch can have more power than the other. Congress passes a bill – President can sign it or veto it – Congress can override a veto by 2/3 of both houses President appoints Supreme Court Justices – Senate Approves the appointments – The Court checks the constitutionality of laws and the presidential acts.
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Picking Sides Supporters of the Constitution Supporters
Federalists Anti-federalists Supporters of the Constitution Supporters George Washington Benjamin Franklin James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay Opposed the Constitution Argument – that a strong national government would take away liberties they fought for in the war. Supporters Patrick Henry Picking Sides
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Finally becoming a united country
Protecting Rights Adopting the Constitution They wanted a Bill of Rights The only way Anti- federalists would support the Constitution if they provided a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms. First state to approve Delaware in 1787 Virginia or New York states were key to making sure the documents survival Bill of Rights was added in 1791 Finally becoming a united country
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