1. Building the Republic

2. Articles of Confederation
Written 1775
Finalized 1777
Required 7 states to pass legislation
Unanimous vote to change the Articles
Revenue was based on property values
No way to force states to pay taxes
No executive or judicial branch
Ratified 1781

3. The States By 1778 most states had their own constitutions
Government was based on the consent of the governed
Citizenship, and voting rights based on property
Women excluded
Slaves excluded
By 1804 Pa, NY, Cn, RI, NJ, abolished slavery
Colonial money was near worthless

4.
1785 Land Ordinance of 1785 established the abilitiy to survey and purchase western land.
1787 Northwest Ordinance- set the protocol for statehood. 60,000 people were required to apply for statehood.
Banned slavery north of the Ohio River.
Ohio was the first state to be created from the Northwest Territory

5. Shays’ Rebellion
Shay’s Rebellion- Anger over high taxes, debtors prisons, and lack of pay for Revolutionary War service, Daniel Shays organized a rebellion in Massachusetts.
The mob seized an arsenal and the militia was called in to put down the rebellion. This led to the Constitutional Convention to rewrite or replace the Articles of Confederation

6. Constitutional Convention
May 1787 State delegates began to meet in Philadelphia to consider government options
Federalists- wanted a strong central government that could protect economic status. Benjamin Franklin
Anti-Federalists- feared the infringement of individual rights especially with the issue of taxation. Most were farmers or manual laborers. Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry

7. Virginia Plan 3 branches of government
2 house legislature, strong executive branch, judicial branch
Representation in both houses based on population

8. New Jersey Plan Single house of congress
3 man presidency elected by congress
Congress had power to tax, regulate trade, and use force on unruly states

9. Great Compromise July 1787 Also known as the Connecticut Compromise
Bicameral legislature
House of Representatives determined by population elected by the people
Senate 2 senators from each state appointed by the state legislature
3/5 Compromise stated that 3/5 slaves could count toward population total for representation
Electoral College casts votes for the president
Bill of Rights

10. Influences of the Enlightenment
Enlightenment figures such as John Locke greatly inspired American political thought. The idea that Republicanism and Representative Democracy was superior to monarchy was a key Enlightenment principle.
John Locke- natural rights challenged the rule of kings and queens. Sovereignty was derived from the consent of the governed.
Baron de Montesquieu- called for the separation of powers

11. Influences of the Enlightenment
Jacques Rousseau championed direct democracy and the idea of reason over emotion.
The Enlightenment was the key influence in the writing of the Constitution and motivations for the Revolution.