1. Creating a Government

2. Articles of Confederation
1st governing document of U.S. (1777)
Weaknesses
Congress could not impose taxes
Congress could not regulate trade
9 of 13 states needed to agree to pass laws
Weaknesses cont.
All states had to agree to amend the Articles
No executive branch to enforce the laws passed by Congress
No judicial branch to interpret laws passed by Congress

3. Shay’s Rebellion Economic problems Rebellion
Severe economic problems after the war
Loss of trade & now that we weren’t part of the British Empire, we had to pay high customs duties
Paper money issued during war not backed up by gold/silver > inflation
Rebellion
As states tried to collect taxes, some rioted
Most famous was led by Daniel Shays
They shut down debtor courts but then were crushed by Massachusetts militiamen
*illustrated weaknesses of Articles

4. The Constitution Drafting the Constitution
1786 George Washington & James Madison met with others to discuss the problems with the Articles
Constitutional Convention held 1787
*Madison considered Father of the Constitution

5. Large vs. Small States Virginia Plan (large state)
Gave power in national gov’t to large states
Bicameral legislature
Each state’s # of reps based on population
New Jersey Plan (small state)
Gave equal power in national gov’t to all states
Unicameral legislature
Each state would have an equal # of reps

6. The Great Compromise Resolution Bicameral legislature
In the lower house, each state’s # of reps is determined by population
House of Reps (represents the people)
In the upper house, each state has an equal # of reps
Senate (represents the states)

7. Branches of Gov’t Legislative Branch (Congress) Executive Branch
(President & the depts that run the gov’t)
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court & lower courts)
Makes the laws
Carries out the laws
Interpret the laws as they relate to the Constitution

8. Checks & Balances Montesquieu’s Influence
3 branches of gov’t & checks & balances
Each branch can delay or stop an action taken by one of the other branches
Ensured no one branch dominated
Ex. President has the power to make treaties & nominate judges but the Senate has to approve judges & can veto laws

9. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Position on:
Federalists
Anti-federalists
The Constitution
In favor
Opposed
The Articles
Should be abandoned
Only needed amendment
Power of States
Curb power of states w/ new central gov’t
Power of states should be priority
Need for Bill of Rights
Initially saw no need
Saw absence as threat to individual liberties
Optimum Size of Republic
Large gov’t could safeguard personal freedoms
Small republic would protect individuals

10. The Federalist Papers
Supported the Constitution in a series of 85 essays
3 leading contributors were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton & John Jay
They offered practical arguments for a strong gov’t

11. Bill of Rights
Anti-federalists agreed to Constitution with Bill of Rights
1st 10 Amendments
To guarantee individual liberties

12. Activity
Imagine you are a Federalist or Anti-federalist in the months after the Constitutional Convention, write a paragraph arguing for or against ratification.