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The Articles of Confederation
America’s First Government
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Opening Questions The Articles of Confederation showed it’s writers’ fears of a strong national government and left most of the important powers to the states. What important powers did the Articles deny the national government? Why do you suppose the smaller states were satisfied with the government set up by the Articles of Confederation?
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Founded on Fears Fear of a strong national government:
Solution: create a weak national government - no executive branch -no judicial branch - no power to collect taxes Fear that large states would dominate smaller states: Solution: one vote per state Question: Are equality and fairness always the same thing?
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Weaknesses & Problems No money & no power to get it
No power over state governments Unenforceable trade agreements
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Who had the real power to govern?
Sovereign states governments had the power: To enforce/impede national governmental policy To control state militia To withhold or grant revenues to the national government To veto amendments to the Articles of Confederation To regulate foreign and interstate commerce Who had the real power to govern? The Articles of Confederation left most of the power to govern in the hands of the states. So, the states could:
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Land Ordinance of 1785 -provided a way to divide land into 6 square miles townships, also provided for townships to pay for public education Northwest Ordinance of 1787 -established the method by which new territories would be admitted to the U.S.; automatically banned slavery in the new territories. These two ordinances established processes for settling and governing the western territories. So… Did the Articles of Confederation get anything right? Well…yes!
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“The Straw that Breaks the Camel’s Back”
I think it’s time for a rebellion! Daniel Shays
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The Constitutional Convention Our Bundle of Compromises
The Delegates White men with property Average age 42 (27 the youngest) No women No African Americans No American Indians
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Beginnings The Delicate Balance Agreed on 2 things: New Constitution
Secrecy The Delicate Balance A government powerful enough to enforce the law/protect the people A government not too powerful to abuse its power and ultimately the people
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Rivalries Large states v. Small states
Virginia Plan v. New Jersey Plan North v. South National Sovereignty v. State Sovereignty
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Compromises The Great Compromise The 3/5 Compromise
Bicameral House of Representatives: proportional/population Senate: 2 per state The 3/5 Compromise Counted slaves as 3/5 a person for purposes of representation Virginia Plan representation based on population New Jersey Plan Representation based on 1 state 1 vote Supremacy Clause: federal law is the law of the land.
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Opposition & Ratification
Federalists Approve ratification because the wanted a stronger federal government The Federalist Papers Anti-Federalists Against ratification because they feared a stronger federal government
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Arguments Can’t count on man’s civic virtue Separation of Powers
Federalists Anti-Federalists Can’t count on man’s civic virtue Separation of Powers Give us a Bill of Rights Adding the Bill of Rights ensures ratification.
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