Congress Creates the Articles of Confederation

 Articles of Confederation - drafted by the Continental Congress in confederation of 13 states - a league or alliance of states that agree to work together

 National (Federal) Government -congress of delegates (chosen by state legislatures) -powers to make, implement, and enforce the law

 Articles of Confederation (1777) - alliance of independent states - national legislature (Congress) - power to declare war - trade agreements between states - no executive or judicial - no power to tax - no power to enforce laws made *most power remained with states *ratified in 1781 (by all 13 states)

 Shay’s Rebellion

Northwest Territory -land north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River.

Land Ordinance of a system for distributing public lands in the Northwest territory

Northwest Ordinance of provided a government for western territory -governor, secretary, three judges -5,000 men – establish an elected assembly -60,000 men – request admission to the Union as a state and adopt a republican constitution *Territory later formed mid-western states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota *states would enter union as free states rather than slave states

Drafting the Constitution

 Agree - need national government (regulate commerce and power to tax) - guard against abuse of power (separation of power) - limit government powers (state and national)  Disagree - number of representatives for each state - power of national government

 Constitutional Convention (May 25 th 1787) - PA State House (Philadelphia) - presiding officer- George Washington

 Alexander Hamilton - praised the British constitution - advocated a strong national government – with elements of aristocracy, monarchy, and republicanism.  James Madison - favored republicanism over British model - a large republic with diverse interests would best preserve the common good

 Madison’s Plan - James Madison (Virginia) - strong national government - with separation of powers - Legislature – House of Representative - people elect directly - seats based on population Senate - House would choose - seats based on population *What powers did Madison’s Plan give the President?

 Virginia - state’s population - Problem: larger states would out-vote them  New Jersey - William Paterson (N.J.) - one-house legislature - each state have equal number of voters - executive committee rather than President *remain a loose confederation *What was the problem with this plan?

 The Great Compromise - Roger Sherman (Connecticut) - Bicameral Legislature - House of Representatives: elected based on population - Senate: each state would have two senators (regardless of population)

 What three forms did the Constitution take in assuring constituents that slavery would remain?

 September 17 th delegates signed the Constitution  To go into effect, the Constitution had to be ratified, or approved, by at least nine state conventions.