Chapter 2:3 FIRST NATIONAL CONSTITUTION

Transcription

1 Chapter 2:3 FIRST NATIONAL CONSTITUTION

2 Objectives: 2:3 Our Political Beginnings o We will study the structure of the government set up under the Articles of Confederation. o We will explain why the weaknesses of the Articles led to the critical period for the country in the late 1780s. o We will describe how a growing need for a stronger national government led to plans for a Constitutional Convention.

3 1Co_14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

4 INTRODUCTION: o The articles of confederation were approved on 15 November o The articles of confederation did not go into effect until ratification (formal approval of each of the 13 states. o 11 states agreed to the document within a year, but Delaware approved it in mid-1779, while Maryland did not ratify until 27 February 1781.

5 Articles of Confederation: o Established a firm league of friendship among the States. o Each state kept its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right not expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled. o States came together for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare.

6 Government Structure: o The government set up the Articles. o A Congress was unicameral (One House Legislature) made up of delegates chosen yearly by the States in whatever way their legislature might direct. o Each state had one vote in the congress, whatever its population or wealth.

7 Government Structure: o No executive or judicial branch. o Functions headed by committees of the congress. o Each year the congress would choose one of its members as its president, the presiding officer.

8 Powers of Congress: o It could make war and peace. o Send and receive ambassadors. o Make treaties o Borrow money o Set up a monetary system o Build a navy

9 Powers of Congress: o Raise an army by asking the state for troops. o Fix uniform standards of weights and measures; o And settle disputes among states.

10 State Obligations: o Pledged to obey the Articles and acts of Congress. o Provide funds and troops requested by the Congress. o Treat citizens of other states fairly and equally with their own.

11 State Obligations: o Give full faith and credit to the public arts. o Records judicial proceedings of every other state. o Surrender fugitives from justice to each other; submit their disputes to congress for settlement; o And allow open travel and trade between and among the states. o States were responsible for protecting citizens rights.

12 WEAKNESSES: o Congress did not have the power to tax. o It could raise money only by borrowing and by asking the States for funds. o Borrowing was at best, a poor source because of the heavy debts from the Revolution. o Did not have power to regulate trade between the states.

13 WEAKNESSES: o Congress did not have the power to make the states obey the Articles of Confederation or the laws it made. o Congress could exercise the powers it did have only with the consent of 9 of the 13 state delegations.

14 THE CRITICAL PERIOD, THE 1780s: o Revolutionary War ended on 19 October o America s victory was confirmed by the Treaty of Paris in 1783 but these were critical flaws of the Articles.

15 THE CRITICAL PERIOD, THE 1780s: o Weak central government caused states to bicker among themselves and grew increasingly jealous and suspicious of one another. o Several made agreements with foreign governments even though the articles forbade it. o State s taxed each other s goods and even banned some trade.

16 THE CRITICAL PERIOD, THE 1780s: o Printed their own money often with little backing. o Economic instability and chaos, debts increased and so forth. o We are one nation today and 13 tomorrow. Who will treat with us on such terms? George Washington.

17 THE CRITICAL PERIOD, THE 1780s: o With the need for a strong central government, George Washington spearheaded meetings which ultimately led to the call for the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

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