1. Chapter 5 FROM CONFEDERATION TO FEDERAL UNION
The American Nation
4/1/2017
Chapter 5 FROM CONFEDERATION TO FEDERAL UNION
Section 1: The Articles of Confederation
Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution
Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document
CHAPTER 5--FROM CONFEDERATION TO FEDERAL UNION

2. Objectives: Section 1: The Articles of Confederation
What political ideas were reflected in the state constitutions?
How did the ideas of Republican Motherhood affect women’s roles and opportunities?
What powers did the Articles of Confederation grant the national government?
How did the Northwest Ordinance try to resolve future conflicts over western lands?
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

3. State constitutions Section 1: The Articles of Confederation
limited the power of governors
restricted the influence of the church on government

4. Republican Motherhood
Section 1: The Articles of Confederation
Republican Motherhood
gave women a powerful role in the home
expanded support for women’s education
limited women’s political participation

5. Articles of Confederation granted the national government:
Section 1: The Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation granted the national government:
power to coin and borrow money
power to conduct foreign affairs
power to set policy toward American Indians
power to settle disputes between the states

6. Northwest Ordinance Section 1: The Articles of Confederation
provided for the creation of new states
provided for a process for settling territories farther west
guaranteed settlers’ civil rights
banned slavery

7. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
Section 1: The Articles of Confederation
Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
All 13 states had to consent to changes in the Articles.
Major legislation needed the consent of all 13 states.
Congress was unable to levy taxes.
Congress was unable to regulate foreign trade.
Weaknesses led to lack of confidence in government, mounting national debt, and economic depression.

8. Objectives: Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution
How did the Virginia Plan call for a stronger federal government?
What major compromises were reflected in the Constitution?
How did the Antifederalists oppose the Constitution, and how did the Federalists respond?
Why did all 13 states ratify the Constitution?

9. Virginia Plan Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution
gave Congress the right to overturn state laws
gave Congress the right to tax the states
gave Congress the right to use force against a state if it did not fulfill its duties

10. Major compromises in the Constitution
Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution
Major compromises in the Constitution
The Great Compromise granted each state an equal voice in the upper house regardless of size, and accorded representation in the lower house based on population.
The Three-Fifths Compromise established that three fifths of a state’s slave population would count in determining its population.
Compromises over commerce established that Congress could levy tariffs on imports but not exports, and allowed the importation of slaves until the end of 1807s.

11. Debate over the Constitution
Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution
Debate over the Constitution
Federalists and Antifederalists debated each other in state ratifying conventions, and the Federalists wrote a series of essays called the Federalist Papers.

12. Ratification Section 2: Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution
Ratification was only unanimous because Congress agreed to add a bill of rights for Virginia and New York, and threatened economic boycott against Rhode Island.

13. Objectives: Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document
How does the Constitution divide power between the federal and state governments?
How does the separation of powers prevent each branch of government from becoming too strong?
What are the potential drawbacks of the system of checks and balances?
What provisions in the constitution allow for its flexibility?

14. Division of power Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document
Delegated powers such as the rights to coin money, regulate trade with foreign nations and among states, and to raise and support an army and a navy, are listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government.

15. Division of power (continued)
Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document
Division of power (continued)
Reserved powers such as the rights to establish local governments and oversee schools belong to the states, and include all those powers not specifically granted to the federal government.

16. Division of power (continued)
Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document
Division of power (continued)
Concurrent powers such as levying and collecting taxes, borrowing money, providing for the public welfare, and establishing courts belong to both the state and federal governments.

17. Separation of power Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document
Each branch has its own powers that other branches cannot claim.
Legislative branch makes laws.
Executive branch sees that laws are carried out.
Judicial branch interprets and applies laws.

18. Potential drawbacks of checks and balances
Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document
Potential drawbacks of checks and balances
political infighting
political stalemates
government shutdowns

19. Flexibility provisions
Section 3: The Constitution: A Living Document
Flexibility provisions
Amendment process allows citizens to alter the Constitution.
Elastic clause gives Congress the authority to exercise its powers in ways not specified.