1. Starter New Government for the new America. What do you think influenced the writers of the new government?

2. Early American Government 1.4-1.5 State and national governments and problems of the early government

3. State Constitutions The 1st state to develop a written plan of government or constitution was New Hampshire in January 1776. All the states set up similar systems of government with a legislature to create laws, a governor to carry out laws, and judges and courts to decide what laws meant and how to apply them. Most state constitutions included a Bill of Rights. Massachusetts Constitution was created in 1780 and still in use today. Used as a model for the U.S. constitution.

4. Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation established a system of cooperation among the 13 states. A Confederation is a group of individual state governments banded together for a common purpose. Wrote in 1777 and ratified (approved) by all 13 states in 1781. It established the name of the confederation as the United States of America.

5. Articles of Confederation (con.) Organization -strong independent states with a weak central government -one house legislature with equal representation for each state Powers of New Government -declare war -make treaties -coin and borrow money -make laws (but could not enforce them) Procedure -no law could be passed unless 9 of the 13 states approved it -no article could be amended unless all 13 states approved it

6. Problems with the Articles The Articles of Confederation proved to be ineffective in governing the new confederation. *no power to tax *no chief executive (president) *regulate trade *No way to enforce laws *Could not raise an army. *No separate executive branch *no federal court system, each state had its own court system.

7. Problems in America Debt from war, led to states taxing farms, farmers could not pay and lost farms causing resentment. Americans feared gov’t could not protect them or their property Between 1786-87 riots in several states Mass. Courts threatened to take Daniel Shay’s farm from him for lack of payment for debt. Shay’s and others rebelled and attacked a arsenal. Merchants, political leaders, and others arguing for a new stronger national gov’t