Government Chapter 2 Sections 3 & 4
Objectives 1. What were the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? 2. What led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787? 3. Who wrote the Constitution? 4. What were some of the compromises made at the Constitutional Convention? 5. Who were the Federalists and Anti-Federalist? 6. How was the Constitution ratified?
A Nation Begins ► The United States gained its independence from England with a victory in the Revolutionary War and with the drafting of the Declaration of Independence in ► The thirteen new states joined together in a system of government called a Confederation- which is a loose alliance of states. ► The states adopted a constitution called the Articles of Confederation.
Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation ► Although it was not a bad first attempt at a constitution, the A.O.C had several glaring weaknesses. ► Weaknesses: 1. Congress did not have the power to collect taxes. 2. The government only consisted of Congress, there was no executive branch (president) or national judicial system. 3. There was no standing army. States had to send troops in order to defend the country. 4. It was very hard to amend or change the A.O.C. There had to be unanimous agreement from the states to make changes.
A Need For Change ► States began to bicker with one another and started to tax each other’s goods. ► Events such as Shay’s Rebellion led for a need to change the A.O.C. ► A Constitutional Convention was called to take place in Philadelphia in ► The original purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to make changes to the A.O.C, but some people went there to create a whole new constitution. ► These people would be known as the Framers of the Constitution or our founding fathers.
Framers ► Twelve of the 13 states sent delegates to Philadelphia-all except Rhode Island. ► 74 delegates were chosen, but only 55 actually attended. ► Notable people who attended were George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton. ► The two from South Carolina who went were John Rutledge and Charles Pinckney.
Framers ► Most of the people in attendance were young in terms of leadership age. ► The average age was 42 and the most important contributors were in their 30’s. ► Ben Franklin was the oldest at 81. ► Some noticeable influential people missing were Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
Organization and Procedures. ► Meetings were secretive as to limit outside influence. Doors were locked and windows were shut. ► Meeting was held during the summer, so the condition were not the most comfortable. ► Discussion was mainly held as an open floor debate, with some work being done in committees. ► Each state only had one vote and majority vote would win.
Plans and Compromises ► The two plans for government offered at the Convention were the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan. ► Compromises made at the Convention were the Connecticut Compromise, 3/5 Compromise, and the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise. ► The Constitution was finished on September 17, 1787.
Ratifying the Constitution ► In order to Ratify or accept the Constitution, nine of the thirteen states had to agree to this new document. ► The Federalist, led by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, favored the new constitution. ► The Anti-Federalist, led by Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams, disliked the new constitution and its strong central government. ► The Federalist wrote a series of essays, called the Federalist Papers, that explained the new government. ► The Anti-Federalist agreed to the new constitution if a Bill of Rights was included. ► The Constitution was finally ratified in 1788 with New Hampshire becoming the ninth state to ratify. ► Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the new Constitution in 1790.