Articles of Confederation September 18, 2007

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1 Articles of Confederation September 18, 2007 Powers Given to Congress under the Articles Weaknesses under the Articles Results of the Articles during the Critical Period Use Page to analyze the effects of the Articles of Confederation 1. What powers do governments need to work properly? 2. What events in particular pointed out a need for a new government?

2 = 1 British Pound = 1 Canadian Dollar = 1 Spanish piece of eight = 1 French Franc 2 piece of Eight = 1 British Pound 3 French Francs = 1 British Pound Candy = 3 British Pounds 4 Canadian Dollars = 1 British Pound

4 Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation established a firm league of friendship among the States. Proposed June, 1776 Debated for 17 months Passed Congress November 15 th 1777 Ratified March 1, 1781

5 Articles of Confederation Purpose Allowed States to Keep: Sovereignty Freedom Independence All Powers not granted to National Government National Government was to take care of: Common Defense Secure Liberties Provide for the General Welfare

6 Articles of Confederation Structure Unicameral Congress States had 2 to 7 Representatives But each state had only 1 vote No Executive Duties handled by Congress No Judicial Duties Handled by Congress

7 Articles of Confederation Weaknesses One vote for each state regardless of size Congress powerless to tax only borrow and beg Congress had no power to regulate commerce No executive to enforce acts of congress No National Court system Amendment required approval of all 13 states 9/13 approval needed to pass laws, most times 9 states were not even present in congress. Firm League of Friendship, No teeth to enforce anything.

8 Articles of Confederation Critical Period (consequences) Central Government Cannot act States Fighting Taxing others trade Banned others trade States not fufilling obligations Not paying money Not providing men Making treaties

9 Articles of Confederation Critical period (consquences) Economic Chaos Debts not paid Public Private Shay s Rebellion Farmers revolting to keep courts in Massachusetts from foreclosing on farms

11 Organizing the Convention Met in Philadelphia May 25, 1787 George Washington Elected president of the convention Worked in Secret Changing Direction Original goal improve the Articles of Confederation May 30, 5 days after starting, adopted resolution to create a new government.

12 Tanna? Two Plans Proposed The Virginia Plan Written mostly by Madison Supported by Large States The New Jersey Plan Submitted by Patterson NJ Supported by Small States

13 Alberto Comparing the Plans? Virginia Plan 3 branches of Government Executive One executive Chosen by Congress Judicial One or more Supreme Courts Lower courts Legislative Bicameral Representation by size or wealth Congress retains powers from Articles Stronger Central Government New Jersey Plan 3 Branches of Government Executive Plural (more than one) Chosen by Congress Judicial Single Supreme Court Legislative Unicameral Each state One Vote Congress retains powers from Articles Weak Central Government

14 ? Key Compromises Connecticut Compromise Three-Fifths Compromise Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

15 ? Connecticut Compromise Problem? Representation in Congress Proposals Small States wanted Equal Representation Large States wanted by population or wealth Solution? House represents by Population as desired by Large states Senate has equal representation as desired by Small States

16 ? Three Fifths Compromise Problem? Should Slaves Be counted in Population? Proposals Slave holding States wanted to count them Non Slave holding States did not Solution? All free persons should be counted, and so too should three-fifths of all other persons (Slaves). Southerners would be able to count their slaves but they would be taxed on them also. Eliminated in the 13 th amendment 1865

17 ? Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Problem? New government needed to be able to regulate trade South was worried they would pay for government by taxing exports. (tobacco was the biggest export at the time.) Feared Govt. would try and interfere with Slave Trade Proposals Ban Government s ability to tax exports Forbid any discussion about the Slave trade in congress Solution? Both proposals were agreed to. They would not discuss or legislate on the slave trade for a period of 20 years.

18 Constitution Finished Convention wrapped up its work September 17, 1787 Next step would be to get approval of 9 states. Nine state approved by June 1788 but neither VA or NY had ratified it.

19 Arguments For and? Against Federalists Favor Ratification Anti-Federalists Against Ratification Problems Worry over too strong a central government Lack of a Bill of Rights

20 The Federalist Papers Series of 85 political papers written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison Supported the ratification of the Constitution Hamilton wrote 51, Madison wrote 26, Jay wrote 5 Appeared in newspapers where ratification was in doubt Brutus and Cato among others versus Publius

21 What are the Anti Federalist papers? The Anti-Federalist Papers are a collection of articles, written in opposition to the ratification of the 1787 United States Constitution. Unlike the Federalist Papers written in support of the Constitution, the authors of these articles, mostly operating under pseudonyms, were not engaged in a strictly organized project..

22 Who Wrote the Anti Federalist papers? Major Anti-Federalist authors included Cato (likely George Clinton), Brutus (Robert Yates), Centinel (Samuel Bryan), Federal Farmer (either Melancton Smith, Richard Henry Lee, or Mercy Otis Warren). Speeches by Patrick Henry and Smith are often included as well. One of the major points of the articles was the danger the new Constitution would bring without a statement of individual rights. Some of the Anti-Federalist concerns were addressed in the Bill of Rights, which was added later.

23 Federalism vs. Antifederalism Who are they? Federalists Property owners, landed rich, merchants of Northeast and Middle Atlantic states. Anti-Federalists Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers. Political philosophy Elitist: saw themselves and those of their class as most fit to govern (others were to be governed). Believed in the decency of the common man and in participatory democracy, viewed elites as corrupt; sought greater protection of individual rights. Type of government favored Powerful central government; two-house legislature; upper house (six-year term) further removed from the people, whom they distrusted. Wanted stronger state governments (closer to the people) at the expense of the powers of the national government; sought smaller electoral districts; frequent elections, referendum and recall, and a large unicameral legislature to provide greater class and occupational representation. Alliances Pro-British, Anti-French Anti-British, Pro-French

24 Ratification and New Beginning New York Becomes 11 th state to Ratify July 26,1788 Convinced by the Arguments in the Federalist Papers Collection of arguments for the new government written by Madison, Hamilton and John Jay Persuasive to the benefits of the propsed government Argued the weakness of present government New Government Convened March 4, 1789 George Washington Unanimously Elected First President.

25 September 21, 2007 Put the following in order: American revolution, Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Petition of Rights, Constitution, Aristotle, 11 th amendment. What are the 6 principles of our Government? What have you done on your project? Do you have any questions on the project?

26 What do these stand for? P L E J F A S R A Please Let Every Junior Fail As Seniors Rock! Always!! Preamble Legisla=ve Execu=ve Judicial Full Faith & Credit Amendment process Supremacy Clause Ra=fica=on Amendments

27 An Outline of the Constitution The Constitution sets out the basic principles upon which government in the United States was built. The Constitution is a fairly brief document. The Constitution is organized into eight sections: the Preamble and seven articles. The original document is followed by 27 amendments.

Six Principles of Our Government The principle of popular sovereignty asserts that the people are the source of any and all government power, and government can exist only with the consent of the

29 Six Principles of Our Government The principle of popular sovereignty asserts that the people are the source of any and all government power, and government can exist only with the consent of the governed. The principle of limited government states that government is restricted in what it may do, and each individual has rights that government cannot take away. Separation of powers is the principle in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government are three independent and coequal branches of government.

Six Principles of Our Government Checks and balances is the system that allows the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to check, or restrain, the actions of one another.

30 Six Principles of Our Government Checks and balances is the system that allows the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to check, or restrain, the actions of one another. The principle of judicial review consists of the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action. Federalism is a system of government in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments.

31 Six Principles of American Government Get some paper Colors and list the 6 American Principles of government Put the Book definition Put it in your own words Draw a picture that demonstrates the principle Be creative We will be referencing these principles all semester put it in the front and back of your binder.

32 September 25, 2007 On a separate sheet of paper list the 6 Principles of American Government. Give a one sentence summary of each principle. Make up your own sentence for PLEJFASRA? What is PLEJFASRA? What does each letter really stand for? Summarize the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments in the handout.

33 September 26, 2007 What do we call a change to the constitution? What are two ways of doing this? What amendments do you think are important What amendments would you like to make? Find the answer in Chapter 3

34 Amending the Constitution What is an amendment? A change to the Constitution What are the different ways to amend the Constitution Formal Amendments Informal Amendments

35 Formal Amendments How many times has the Constitution been formally amended? 27 times What are the Bill of Rights? The first ten amendments to the constitution

36 Amendment Process The Constitution provides for its own amendment process that is, for making changes in its written words. Article V sets out two methods for the proposal and two methods for the ratification of constitutional amendments, creating four possible methods of formal amendment.

37 Formal Amendment Process First step This is the way all 27 amendments have begun! or

38 Formal Amendment Process Second Step OR Used 26 Times Used 1 Time

39 Formal Amendment Process Most Common 26 of 27 Times

40 Formal Amendment Process

41 5. custom. Informal Amendment Process Informal amendment is the process, which over time have made many changes in the Constitution, which have not involved any changes in its written word. The informal amendment process can take place by: 1. the passage of basic legislation by Congress; 2. actions taken by the President; 3. key decisions of the Supreme Court; 4. the activities of political parties;

Read the Federalist #47,48,& 51 How to read the Constitution In the Woll Book Pages 40-50

Read the Federalist #47,48,& 51 How to read the Constitution In the Woll Book Pages 40-50 The Origins of a New Nation Colonists from New World Escape from religious persecution Economic opportunity Independent