1. Creating the Constitution 1781-1789
Chapter 5: Section 1

2. Which statement do you agree with most?
A. a strong central government poses a serious threat to personal liberties
B. A strong central government offers the best protection for personal liberties
C. A strong central government is possible only if personal liberties are sacrificed
D. A strong central government is not needed to protect personal liberties
In this chapter we will learn about how a lasting government was created
FOCUS: We will focus on what to the creation of the Constitution, and what its key principles are.
Read Witness history aloud on pg. 133
What image does Daniel Webster use to describe the Constitution’s importance as a guide for the US government?
Stormy sea, no direction/orientation
Why do you suppose Presidents and other speakers have quoted Webster’s words?
To stress enduring nature of the Constitution
To explain how it has given the nation direction in difficult times
ANALYZE PICTURE
What does the image suggest about the convention?
It was a formal gathering at which many delegates considered and debated ideas

3. Objectives
A. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals
B. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles
C. Summarize Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of Western lands
D. List the main weaknesses of the Articles
WRITE DOWN OBJECTIVES!
WITNESS HISTORY
What does election mean?
Choice
What unusual opportunity does Adams say Americans have?
The chance to choose how they will be governed
Why have few people in human history had this opportunity?
Because most have been government by hereditary rulers or by others who have seized power, usually with no document outlining government
Focus Question:
What form of national government did the Patriots create initially, and what events revealed that a new government was necessary

4. Why it matters…
Patriots feared creating another government that held too much power
The authority remained within the states
Yet because of that the powerful states and weak national government faced severe problems

5. Powerful states and weak governments would eventually face severe problems

6. Early State Governments
Republic
Disagreement over proper design of government
Democracy power with people
Conservatives preserve many colonial institutes
Some people believed if the people had the power it would promote democracy
The conservative patriots believed that the common people could not be trusted with complete power

7. Democratic Patriots
Wanted to create a state government with strong legislators and weak/no governor
Unicameral Legislature
PA; GA
Unicameral Leg. one with a single house; members elected by the people

8. Conservative Patriots
Had more conservative constitutions; strong governor
Bicameral Legislature
ME; NY
BICAMERAL a lawmaking body with two houses; A senate and House of Representatives
Wanted to balance the power of the voter with that of the rich, educated gentlemen in the Senate

9. Freedom of Religion Essentially guaranteed after the Revolutionary war
Used to be controversial
Came about with the Passage of Virginia Statute for religious freedom in 1786
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson
Excluded MA and CT
Passage embraced the idea of religious liberty without state interference
Why did most states choose a bicameral legislature?

10. Articles of Confederation
Congress drafted Articles in 1777 for the union of the states
Under John Dickinson of PA
Congress designed a loose confederation of 13 states, rather than a strong centralized government

11. Articles of Confederation
Reflected the principles of the Declaration
Rejected the centralized power of the British Empire as a threat to liberty
Federal  structure of new national government
The Articles granted certain limited powers to Congress
Able to declare and conduct war and to negotiate peace, to regulate foreign affairs, and to administer relations with Indian nations
Federal national government consisted of a congress of delegates, chosen by state legislatures rather than by voters
Only had a single vote