1. Warm Up
List reasons for why the colonists declared independence from Britain.
*turn in your projects

2. Time between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
The Articles of Confederation
“a firm league of friendship” with each State keeping its sovereignty
States came together for common defense, security of liberties, general welfare
Ratified 1781

3. Articles of Confederation
Structure of Government
Unicameral congress
Number of delegates chosen yearly however each state decided.
Each state had 1 vote regardless of population or wealth.
No executive or judicial branch created. Congress would hold these powers
Each year a president would be chosen however this person was not chief of the state.

4. Articles of Confederation - Congressional Powers
make war and peace
send/receive ambassadors
make treaties
borrow money
set up a money system
establish post offices
build navy, raise army
fix uniform standards of weights and measures
settle disputes among the states

5. Articles of Confederation
Obligations of States
provide funds and troops
treat citizens of other states as thier own
full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
Surrender fugitives to other states
submit disputes to Congress
allow travel and trade between States
States responsible for protecting life, liberty, and property in thier own state.

6. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
Congress no power to tax
Congress no power to regulate trade
Lack of power to make states obey Articles
Could not change articles except by having consent of all 13 legislatures.
*See others on page 45

7. The Constitutional Convention
Summer of Held in Philadelphia
Held to write a new constitution for the United States
George Washington was chosen to lead this convention
Met in secret

8. The Virginia Plan Created mostly by James Madison of Virginia.
Proposed the following:
3 Separate branches of Government - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
Bicameral Congress with the Senate being the upper house and the House of Representatives being the lower house
Representation based on population and money given
Congress had power to force states to obey law with force if necessary
Congress would chose National Executive and National Judiciary and these 2 working together could override decisions made by Congress.

9. The New Jersey Plan
Unicameral Congress with equal representation from each state.
Added limited power to congress to tax
Multi person Executive chosen by Congress
Single person Judiciary appointed by Executive
What are Differences between these 2 plans?

10. The Connecticut Compromise
Compromise created by delegates from Connecticut
Bicameral Congress with the Senate being represented equally and the House of Representative being represented by population.

11. Federalists vs Anti-Federalists
Federalists believed the Articles were weak and supported the new constitution.
Anti-Federalists opposed new constitution because it featured and central government and did not contain a bill of rights.