1. The path from a new government to a U.S. Constitution The Path to a New Government

2. What happened after the D.O.I.? After the Revolutionary War, a new, stronger government was needed. On November 15, 1777 the states agreed to the Articles of Confederation The articles set up a government that limited power over each state The Articles of Confederation caused problems Each state was allowed to have freedom and create their own laws. There is no federal government

3. What were the problems? 9 out of the 13 states had to approve a change before it happened, only one vote per state regardless of population Congress: No power to create and collect taxes; had to ask states for money (led to large debt), could not regulate trade States printed their own money, added taxes to goods No national courts Now it is time to create a stronger government

4. Constitutional Convention May 1787 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA All states but Rhode Island were represented; 55 total All sessions were held in secrecy; they wanted to debate freely George Washington was chosen to lead the convention After debated too many details, the delegates realized a completely different system of government was needed

5. The new plans Virginia PlanNew Jersey Plan Strong central govt Control by large states Representatives based on population 3 branches of govt Small state plan Each state has equal voice in government States have more control of government

6. Who signed the Constitution? A compromise committee was developed to help work out the differences between the delegates. September 17, 1787 the Constitution was signed. It was now up to the states to decide if the Constitution was acceptable as the law of the land.

7. Law of the Land Today’s Constitution contains 7 Articles and 27 Amendments First 10 Amendments are the Bill of Rights It is the law of the land and considered a flexible and living document It can be changed to fit today’s current needs and can be applied to current situations.

8. Do we have a Constitution? Yes, we do but it has to approved by the states When 9 out of the 13 states approve the Constitution it would become the Supreme Law of the Land When the citizens began to debate this new Constitution, two groups of people emerged: Federalists and Anti-Federalists

9. Who were the Federalists and Anti- Federalists? FederalistsAnti-Federalists Supported the Constitution Wrote the “Federalists Papers” to gain support Against the Constitution Feared state govt’s would be destroyed Taxes would be increased No protection of personal freedoms

10. We have a Constitution!! Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790. All 13 states had finally approved the new form of government George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States in April of 1789. No Bill of Rights would be added until 1791.