1. Chapter 7
A More Perfect Union

2. New Government
Republic – citizens rule through elected representatives
Most Americans wanted a WEAK National government
Only wanted to rely on central gov’t for war and foreign affairs

3. Articles of Confederation
What powers did Congress have under the Articles of Confederation?
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

4. Articles of Confederation
1777 – Congress adopts Articles of Confederation
Weak Central gov’t
Gave Congress limited power
Congress conducts foreign affairs, maintain armed forces, borrow money, issue currency
Congress could NOT regulate trade, force citizens to join the army, or impose taxes
No Chief Executive
All business done through Congressional Committees
ALL 13 states had to agree to any amendments – nearly impossible to correct problems

5. Western Settlers
Ordinance of 1785 – set up the process to survey and sell lands north of Ohio River
Northwest Ordinance 1787 – created NW territory, North of Ohio River and east of Mississippi River
What was unique to the Northwest Ordinance?
Bill of Rights – freedom of religion and trial by jury
Slavery – first attempt to stop spread of slavery

6. Economic Problems and Foreign Relations
How did the Articles of Confederation Contribute to financial struggles?
Britain and Spain?
Britain unwilling to leave Great Lakes Region
Spain closed Mississippi River to American shipping
How did the Articles of Confederation contribute problems with foreign countries?

7. Shay’s Rebellion Economic depression
State officials took farmer’s land; jail
Rebellion in Massachusetts – 1787
4 farmers killed
Fear
Should people be left to govern themselves?

8. The Constitutional Convention
1787 – Philadelphia, called by Hamilton
55 delegates to revise the Articles
George Washington led the meetings
”Father of the Constitution” – James Madison
Articles of Confederation

9. Two Plans Comparison Chart: p.195 Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan
Edmund Randolph
Strong National Government
William Paterson
Limited National Government
Comparison Chart: p.195

10. The Great Compromise and Three-Fifths Compromise
Roger Sherman – Connecticut
Senate and House
Senate - equal representation (NJ Plan, smaller states)
House – representation based on population (VA Plan, larger states)
Three-Fifths Compromise
North – more enslaved people in South giving those states higher population and bigger seat in Congress
South – Larger population = higher taxes
Every 5 enslaved persons counted as 3 in states population total

12. Debate and Adoption P. 197 Why are Bill of Rights important?
9 of 13 states for approval (ratify) of Constitution
Federalism – sharing of power between state and federal gov’t
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
December 7, 1787 – Constitution adopted