1. Forming a Government Course of Study objectives 3.5, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

2. The Articles of Confederation and problems in the new nation
Weaknesses of national government under the Articles of Confederation
No national court system to settle disputes b/t states
No ability to tax
Tariff problems with foreign nations (England)
No national army
No power to regulate interstate trade
High inflation, b/c inability to control money

3. One nation, or thirteen? For one nation Against one nation
Common language
Similar geography
No war tradition w/ each other.
Common effort in winning war against England
Against one nation
Strong state loyalties
Poor highway connections
States were not tied economically
No longer faced a common enemy

4. Economic Problems
American merchants were excluded from the British West Indies trade market.
Lost favor in British markets
Wartime demand for goods came to an end
Unemployment rose
Inflation and a large public debt (financing the war)

5. A Federal Government
Federalism
Republic

6. This becomes known as the critical period!
The new nation could fail at any time because of political and economic weakness.

7. Shays’ Rebellion Tax revolt in Mass. Led by Daniel Shays
Showed the importance of internal control of a national government.
Will lead to calls for a new Constitution.

8. Constitutional Influences
Inspiration
Magna Carta
English Bill of Rights
John Locke
Tradition
New England Town Meetings
Great Awakening
Legislative Assemblies (Virginia House of Burgesses)
Documents
Mayflower
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Declaration of Independence

9. Constitutional Convention
Influences – John Locke’s social contract theory of a government by the people.
Creation of republic based on elected gov.
Elected gov. is responsive to the people
Based on sound state constitutions
The use of a bicameral legislatures
Bill of Rights
System of checks and ballances

10. Compromises Virginia Plan (large state plan)
Called for congressional representation based on population
New Jersey Plan (small state plan)
Called for congressional representation to be equal for each state
Great Compromise
Creates a bicameral congress with equal representation in the Senate and rep. based on population in the House of Representatives.

11. 3/5 Compromise Handles the slavery question
Southern states, whose power in congress was challenged because they were smaller in population, sought to have slaves counted for representative purposes, but not for tax purposes.
3/5 Compromise called for 3 out of 5 slaves to be counted for both rep. and taxing. (3/5ths of a person)

12. Ratification Federalists Anti-federalists
Led by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
Theories outlined in Federalist Papers
Anti-federalists
Feared too much power in a national government would weaken the states
Wanted a Bill of Rights
Led by Jefferson
Ratification – took 9 of 13 states, 1789