Independent Now what?

Vocabulary Constitution Executive Amendment Judicial Legislative Impeachment Separation of powers Checks and balances Bicameral Ratification Bill of Rights

Create our own new Government After Independence was declared each state had create state governments by creating constitutions In these constitutions, Governors were the chief executive who appointed key state officials. But most of the power was in the hands of the state legislators New Jersey the only state who gave women the right to vote. Rescinded in1807

Virginia’s State Constitution Virginia Bill of Rights • Freedom of Religion • Freedom of the Press • Trial by Jury • Limits on Searches • Limits on Arrests • No Cruel and Unusual Punishment Declaration of Independence listed the rights the King violate State wanted to insure rights were protected by including them in their Constitution

Articles of Confederation 1777 The Document that created the government for the new United States! One branch government…Legislature only…………Congress All states = had 1 vote Most power was in the hands of the states Congress couldn’t collect taxes, or regulate trade Congress could deal with foreign nations and with Native Americans outside the 13 states. It could make laws, declare war, coin or borrow money, and run a postal service. The national government had no power to enforce the laws that it made.

Growing Problems-Shay’s Rebellion Americans concluded the Articles did not give the government enough power to solve problems. Economic Problems: Each state set it own trading laws. Congress couldn’t tax Foreign affairs: America seemed week to other countries Shay’s Rebellion: Economic depression in country. Mass.farmers hit hard. State gov.seized farmers to not paying taxes 1000 farmers lead by Daniel Shay, Mass militia stopped rebellion, people wanted central Gov. to protect from unrests

Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak? What we didn’t like about the British. . Taxation without representation Large central government (monarchy) had all the power States always had to listen to the king All power was in the King’s hands. King could change the rules/laws any time So the Articles of Confederation… Federal government could not tax States didn’t have to follow laws and treaties. States had their own laws and didn’t have to follow any other states’ laws No executive branch or national court system. Any amendment required all 13 states

What’s the Problem? Federal government could not tax; very difficult to raise money. States didn’t have to follow laws and treaties. Each State had its own laws. No executive branch or national court system. Any amendment required all 13 states, so very difficult to modify.

Convention Called Congress asked the states to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Their task was to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention 1787 55 Delegates from 12 States George Washington was President of the Convention 3rd day Virginia introduces a plan for a government with three separate parts or branches. an Executive branch and a Judicial branch. Legislature should have two parts, Upper and lower house. Virginia Plan caused great controversy!!!

Great Compromise Virginia Plan – more population the more representatives a state has in the government, therefore more say. Large states approved of the plan New Jersey proposed, one house of Congress with equal representation from each state. Much Arguing Connecticut creates a compromise. One house has equal representation One house representation is based on population. CALLED THE GREAT COMPROMISE

How do we count Slaves Are they citizens, that would give the South great advantage in the numbers represented! South wanted slaves counted or would leave the Union Three-Fifths Compromise. Each slave would be counted as three fifths of a person. 50 slaves 30 would be counted. In Constitution, there are “Free Persons” and “all other persons”. Slave Trade was allowed for a 20 year period. After 1808 the importation of enslaved was illegal, but the slave trade between states was still legal and allowed.

Settling Western Lands Congress devise system for land sales and settlement. Investors want land in Northwest Territory. They pressed Congress to determine how N.W. Territory governed. Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Guaranteed basic rights for settlers and banned slavery there.

Review Write out vocabulary words. Independence required new government! States primary concern government would not have too much power Gov. couldn’t: tax, regulate trade, no executive and judicial branch, or enforce laws that Congress pass. Weak government didn’t work, poor economy, Shay’s rebellion, seen as weak! Need new government