Articles of Condederation Very weak government. Why??? Five pages, 13 articles
Establishes the name of the confederation as "The United States of America." Asserts the precedence of the separate states over the confederation government, i.e. "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated." Establishes the United States as a league of states united "... for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them...."
Establishes freedom of movement anyone can pass freely between states, excluding "paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice." All people are entitled to the rights established by the state into which he travels. If a crime is committed in one state and the perpetrator flees to another state, he will be extradited to and tried in the state in which the crime was committed. Allocates one vote in the Congress of the Confederation (United States in Congress Assembled) to each state, which was entitled to a delegation of between two and seven members. Members of Congress were appointed by state legislatures; individuals could not serve more than three out of any six years.
Only the central government is allowed to conduct foreign relations and to declare war. No states may have navies or standing armies, or engage in war, without permission of Congress (although the state militias are encouraged). When an army is raised for common defense, colonels and military ranks below colonel will be named by the state legislatures. Expenditures by the United States will be paid by funds raised by state legislatures, and apportioned to the states based on the real property values of each.
Defines the powers of the central government: to declare war, to set weights and measures (including coins), and for Congress to serve as a final court for disputes between states. Defines a Committee of the States to be a government when Congress is not in session. Requires nine states to approve the admission of a new state into the confederacy; pre-approves Canada, if it applies for membership.
Reaffirms that the Confederation accepts war debt incurred by Congress before the Articles. Declares that the Articles are perpetual, and can only be altered by approval of Congress with ratification by all the state legislatures.
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION-1777 FEAR OF STRONG CENTRAL GOVT. LOOSE CONFEDERATION LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP Not ratified by all states until 1781
FACTS NO SEPARATE EXECUTIVE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1785, AND 1787 --ACREAGE SOLD TO PAY OFF NATIONAL DEBT AND FOR EDUCATION --PATHWAY TO BECOME A STATE WITH ALL PRIVLIDGES --FORBADE SLAVERY
ONE VOTE PER STATE NO FEDERAL COURTS Good and Bad SHAYS REBELLION-1786--STARTED BY FORECLOSURES ON WESTERN FARMERS SHOWED A NEED FOR A STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT BRITISH RETENTION OF FORTS IN THE NORTHWEST NO REGULATION OF INTERSTATE COMMERCE
BOUNDARY DISPUTES BETWEEN STATES CONGRESS HAS NO POWER TO TAX- JUST ASK THE STATES FOR MONEY STATES TAXED EACH OTHER S GOODS KEPT THE STATES TOGETHER TREATY OF PARIS, 1783 NO NATIONAL CURRENCY
INABILITY TO PROTECT SETTLERS FROM INDIANS BARBARY PIRATES RAIDED SHIPPING INABILITY TO REPAY FRENCH LOANS SPAINS CLOSED THE MISSISSIPPI TO TRADE LITTLE TRADE WITH BRITIAN BUT THE ARTICLES DID PRESENT TO THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD THE IDEAL OF A UNITED COUNTRY
In 1786, Thomas Jefferson, then the ambassador to France, and John Adams, then the ambassador to Britain, met in London with Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja, the ambassador to Britain from Tripoli. The Americans asked Adja why his government was hostile to American ships, even though there had been no provocation. The ambassador's response was reported to the Continental Congress: ]
It was written in their Koran, that all nations which had not acknowledged the Prophet were sinners, whom it was the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave; and that every mussulman who was slain in this warfare was sure to go to paradise. He said, also, that the man who was the first to board a vessel had one slave over and above his share, and that when they sprang to the deck of an enemy's ship, every sailor held a dagger in each hand and a third in his mouth; which usually struck such terror into the foe that they cried out for quarter at once.
All men are Created Equal Most states reduced property requirements for voting Everyone is Mr. and Mrs, not just wealthy Employers were boss not master Growth of trade organizations for laborers and artisans Laws to stop primogeniture-oldest oldest son get father s property
Where equality failed The Quakers had started the first anti-slavery society The slavery issue would have divided the new country so if was purposely not addressed Women did not have equality-no vote Expected to teach the virtues to sons and daughters
Constitutional Convention A Constitutional Convention was called for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation May 25, 1787 55 men from 12 states came to Philadelphia - Ben Franklin - James Madison - Alexander Hamilton - George Washington
Constitutional Convention Not there Thomas Jefferson John Adams Thomas Paine John Hancock-not not selected Patrick Henry-refused refused to go
Constitutional Convention Conservative, rich, white men Desire for a strong central govt. Control mobocracy poor outnumber elite Control trade and tariffs Scrape not revise the old Articles of Confederation
Compromises Large State Plan-Bicameral Congress with representation based on Population-Virginia Small State Plan Unicameral House with each state having equal representation-new Jersey
The Great Compromise Bicameral House of Representatives- representation based on population Senate- representation based on two senators from each state
Electoral College President is chosen by the electoral college instead of direct vote Electors from each state (based on number Senators and Rep.) vote for President If no person gets a majority of Electoral votes, it goes to the House of Representatives
Slavery Slave trade will stop in 1807 3/5 Compromise Each slave will count as 3/5 of person toward the population count (House of Representatives)
Three Branches of Government Legislative-Congress, make the laws Executive President, enforce the laws Judicial Supreme court, interpret laws PROVIDES CHECKS AND BALANCES
Convention finished Sept. 17, 1787 Everyone goes to the Tavern Nine out of 13 states must ratify constitution
Anonymous Cartoon in the Massachusetts Centinel January 30, 1788
Aug 2, 1788
Federalist VS Antifederalists Federalist For For strong central Govt.-mostly wealthy and educated Antifederalists For weak central Govt. and strong states rights- mostly poor-concerned about no Bill of Rights
First Delaware ratifies Dec. 7, 1787 then Penn, New Jersey, Georgia, Conn., and Massachusetts within 2 months. 9 th th state is New Hampshire, June 21, 1788 Last is Rhode Island May 29, 1790