1. 1781-1850 A NEW NATION

2. COLONIES BECOME STATES Republicanism- govt. by the people State constitutions- guaranteed rights Voting rights expand- most eliminated property ownership as requirement

3. SHAPING A NEW NATION Separation of church and state Women- no voting rights African Americans- not allowed to vote

4. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION power to declare war, raise armies, & sign treaties Weaknesses: no power to tax

5. WEAKNESSES OF ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Congress could not collect taxes Could not regulate trade Regardless of population, each state had only 1 vote in Congress 2/3 majority (9 of 13) states needed to agree to pass any law Articles could only be amended if all states approved There was no executive branch to enforce laws There was no national court system to settle legal disputes There were 13 separate states that lacked national unity

6. NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787 created new territory north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi

7. SHAY’S REBELLION farmers’ protest, caused panic and dismay throughout the nation convinced Congress to call a convention of the states to revise the Articles of Confederation.

8. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION Held May-Sept. 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Closed to public to ensure honest discussion free from outside political pressure

9. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION James Madison: Father of the Constitution

10. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION Virginia Plan: bicameral legislature, membership based on population (benefits large states w/many people) New Jersey Plan: single-house congress where each state has equal vote

11. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION a.Connecticut or Great Compromise: Two-house congress, to satisfy both large & small states- equal representation in Senate, population determines number in House of Reps.

12. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 3/5 Compromise: 3/5 of state’s slaves would be counted towards population

13. ISSUE The real issue for opponents of the Constitution was whether the national government or state governments would be supreme

14. FRAMEWORK Checks and Balances 3 branches of gov’t: Executive, Legislative, Judicial

15. FRAMEWORK Electoral College: the group of electors chosen by the states would cast ballots for the candidates

16. FRAMEWORK Amendments: written change to Constitution

17. FRAMEWORK Federalist Papers a collection of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay explaining how the Constitution worked & why it was needed.

18. FRAMEWORK Bill of Rights States would not ratify Constitution without a bill of rights

19. BILL OF RIGHTS 1.Religious & political freedom 2.Right to bear arms 3.Freedom from quartering of troops 4.Freedom against unreasonable search & seizure 5.Right of accused persons 6.Right to a speedy, public trial 7.Right to trial by jury 8.Limits on fines & punishments 9.Natural rights of the people 10.Powers of states & the people

20. RATIFICATION May 1790