2.3 Articles of Confederation What were the Articles of Confederation? Why were the 1780s a critical period in United States history? What did America do to create a stronger government in the 1780s? Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section 3
The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation established a firm league of friendship among the States. All 13 states had to ratify the Articles of Confederation before it became effective. Articles only created one branch of Govt. (congress) Powers Congress was given the power to declare war, deal with national finance issues, and settle disputes among the States. Each year Congress chose one of its members to be its presiding officer, but not the President of the US. Section: 1 2 3 4 Obligations The States promised to obey Congress, and to respect the laws of the other States. Most other powers were retained by each State. Chapter 2, Section 3
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress did not have the power to tax Could raise $ only by borrowing or asking the States for funds Congress did not have the power to regulate trade b/t the States The lack of regulation of commerce (trade) was one of the major factors that led to the adoption of the Constitution later. Congress was limited by a lack of power to make the States obey the Articles of Confederation or the laws it made. Needed the consent of 9/13 of the state delegations to exercise the powers it did have. The Articles themselves could be changed only with the consent of all 13 of the state legislatures. No amendment was ever added as a result. Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section 3
Weakness of AOC caused problems- CRITICAL PERIOD After the Revolutionary War ended there wasn t domestic harmony. Peace brought the new nation s economic and political problems into sharp focus. States bickered among themselves and grew increasingly jealous and suspicious of one another. Taxed one another s goods and printed own money without backing caused economic chaos to spread through colonies Violence broke out in a number of places as a result of economic chaos. Shay s Rebellion: economic conditions worsened and property holders began to lose their land and possessions for lack of payment on taxes and other debts. Daniel Shays led an armed uprising forcing several State judges to close their courts. Mass. Legislature eventually passed laws to ease the burden of debtors. Section: 1 2 3 4
A Call for a Stronger Government Economic issues first motivated Americans to get together to discuss the effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation. Representatives from Maryland and Virginia met at Mount Vernon, Virginia, in 178 to discuss their trade issues. Negotiations were so successful that soon after the meeting the Virginia General Assembly called for a joint meeting of all of the states to recommend a federal plan for regulating commerce. The joint meeting took place in Annapolis. Turn out at Annapolis was poor. Called for another meeting of the states. It was to take place in Philadelphia. As far as Congress was concerned the main purpose for the meeting was to revise the Articles of Confederation. (became the Constitutional Convention). Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section 3
2.4 Creating And Ratifying The Constitution Who were the Framers of the Constitution? What were the differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan? What were some of the compromises on which the Constitutional Convention agreed? What sources did the delegates draw on and how did they react when they completed the Constitution? Who were the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists? How long did the ratification of the Constitution take? What happened after its ratification? Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section 4
Framers of the Constitution Leaders of the Philadelphia Convention James Madison was the co-author of the Articles of Confederation. Gouverneur Morris was a lawyer who helped develop the U.S. system of money. Alexander Hamilton was a lawyer who favored a strong central government. George Washington was the successful leader of the Continental Army. Rhode Island only state that didn t send delegates to the convention. Some famous leaders who were NOT at the Philadelphia Convention Patrick Henry said he smelt a rat and refused to attend. Samuel Adams and John Hancock were not selected as delegates by their states. Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine were in Paris as U.S. ambassadors John Adams was on diplomatic missions to England and Holland. Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section 4
Different Constitutional Plans The Virginia Plan James Madison largely responsible for writing Three branches of government Bicameral legislature (representation based on population or by how much $ each state gave towards the operation of the govt.) National Executive and National Judiciary Smaller states didn t agree The New Jersey Plan William Paterson of New Jersey wrote it. Greatly resembled the AOC. Unicameral Congress Equal representation for States of different sizes More than one federal executive Major point of disagreement between the two plans centered on the question of how should states be recognized in Congress. Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section 4
Constitutional Compromises The Connecticut Compromise Delegates agreed on a bicameral Congress, one segment with equal representation for States, and the other with representation proportionate to the States populations. Combination of the Virginia and NJ Plans The Three-Fifths Compromise The Framers decided to count a slave as three-fifths of a person when determining the population of a State. Answered the question of whether or not slaves should be counted in the populations of southern states. (congressional representation) The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Congress was forbidden from taxing exported goods, and was not allowed to act on the slave trade for 20 years. Southern states feared Congress would try to pay for the new govt. out of export duties. Also feared Congress would interfere with slave trade. **Constitution often referred to as a bundle of compromises. Nearly all delegates were dedicated to the concepts of popular sovereignty, separation of powers, and checks and balances** Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section 4
Influences on and Reactions to the New Constitution Influences Major source of ideas for the Constitution came from colonial experiences, British tradition, and the political writings of John Locke. The Framers also were seasoned, variously, by the Second Continental Congress, the Articles of Confederation and experiences with their own State governments. Section: 1 2 3 4 Reactions When the Constitution was complete, the Framers opinions of their work varied. Some were disappointed, like George Mason of Virginia, who opposed the Constitution until his death in 1792. Most agreed with Ben Franklin s thoughts when he said, From such an assembly [of fallible men] can a perfect production be expected? It astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does Franklin was saying that the Constitution was imperfect, but none better could be found Chapter 2, Section 4
The Fight For Ratification The Framers agreed that the new Constitution only had to be ratified (accepted) by 9 States. They had learned from the unanimous requirement of the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution was printed, circulated and debated vigorously. No rights were granted to the people by the Constitution during the ratification process. It took 9 states to formally ratify it before any rights were guaranteed. Section: 1 2 3 4
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists The Constitution was very controversial at first, with some groups supporting it, and others attacking it. Federalists thought that the Articles of Confederation were weak, and argued for the ratification of the Constitution. Anti-Federalists objected to the Constitution No mention of God, no right to states to print money, disliked the ratification process. Two major issues were: strong central govt (too much power) and the lack of a bill of rights. Many of the anti-federalists were Rev. War heroes. (appeared powerful to people) Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section
The Constitution is Ratified 9 states ratified the Constitution by June 21, 1788, but the new government needed the ratification of the large States of New York and Virginia. They were critical because they were the most populous states and without them the govt. would probably not succeed. Great debates were held in both States, with Virginia ratifying the Constitution June 2, 1788. New York s ratification was hard fought. Supporters of the Constitution published a series of essays known as The Federalist. (8 essays supporting the constitution. Gave convincing commentary on the meaning of the constitution). Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section
Inaugurating the Government Each state selected electors who voted to elect the president and vice president. The new Congress met for the first time on March 4, 1789 in NY. (became temporary capital) Congress finally attained a quorum (majority) on April 6 and counted the electoral votes. Congress found that George Washington had been unanimously elected President (by the electoral college). He was inaugurated on April 30. John Adams elected Vice President with a substantial majority. Section: 1 2 3 4 Chapter 2, Section