AIM: How did the Articles of Confederation impact the U.S.? Do Now: How do you think Hale Charter Academy would function if we got rid of the assistant principal, and the dean, and we allowed the individual departments to run the building?
Creating a Nation
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation I. This formed first government of the U.S. II. Was a loose alliance of independent States- gave some power to the central government but the States kept the greater part of the power III. Reflected the colonists fears of a strong central government. What fears did colonists have? After fighting the Revolution, what kind of government would you want?
V. Achievements Northwest Ordinance of 1787- Planned for creating 5 new territories in the West. When a state was made it would be equal to the original 13 states.
IV. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation A. No President to carry out laws B. States had most power; Federal government had little power C. Federal government had no power to tax people D. No single national currency- States had their own E. 9 out of 13 states had to approve a law before it went into effect F. Congress was not allowed to maintain an army- only States had militias Why are each of these considered a weakness?
VI. Shay s Rebellion: (1786) A. Farmers protest in Massachusetts about paying too much in taxes B. They attempted to take control of an arsenal- The Massachusetts militia finally breaks the rebellion C. Showed the weakness of the national government- it could not put down revolts- it had to ask the states to do it.
What a triumph for our enemies, to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves! -George Washington, shortly after Shay s Rebellion of 1786 1. Why does Washington consider Shay s Rebellion a triumph for the enemies of America? 2. How did Shay s Rebellion show that America had a weak government? How might this threaten the safety of America? 3. What do you consider to be the two major flaws in the Articles of Confederation? How would you correct them?
Constitution Convention In May of 1787, representatives of the 13 states met in Philadelphia. They met to improve the national government. All states but Rhode Island attended. The delegates met to change the Articles of Confederation. They wrote a whole new plan called the Constitution.
The Virginia Plan James Madison and Edmund Randolph proposed this plan. They proposed a government with three branches. 1. Legislative : makes laws 2. Executive: enforces laws 3. Judicial: interprets laws
The Virginia Plan Continued The plan proposed a legislative with two houses: 1. The House of Representatives 2. The Senate Each state would have votes in Congress based on its population. The small states did not like this.
The New Jersey Plan The plan called for a legislature with only one house. Each state would have one vote. The small states supported this plan.
The Great Compromise To satisfy the smaller states: 1. The House of Representatives: the number of votes is based on the states population 2. The Senate: Each state has a equal amount of votes.
The Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Federalist Federalist: Favored ratification. Wanted a strong national government. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton Anti- federalist Anti-federalists: opposed ratification and wanted a weak national government. Feared that a strong national government would threaten people s rights.
The Constitutional Convention On September 15, 1787 the constitutional convention met to vote on the final form of the constitution. All but three states would sign it. They agreed it needed to be ratified or changed.
Ratification 9 States ratified the Constitution within a year, but NY and VA did not Virginia ratified the Constitution only after a Bill of Rights was promised New York was convinced to ratify after The Federalists Papers were written 1. Pro-ratification papers written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison 2. Stressed the need for a strong National government and each branch would check and balance the others
New Government The new government takes office in 1789 A. Washington is elected President B. New York City is the nation s first capital