Articles of Confederation and The Constitution P. 58 - 79

Military Strengths and Weaknesses United States Familiarity of home ground George Washington as leader Inspiring cause was independence Weaknesses Untrained and undisciplined soldiers Shortage of food and ammunition Inferior navy No central gov’t to enforce wartime policies

Military Strengths and Weaknesses Great Britain Strong, well-trained army and navy Strong central gov’t with available funds Support of colonial Loyalists and Indians Weaknesses Large distance separating Britain and battles Unfamiliar terrain for troops Weak military leaders Sympathy of certain British politicians for American cause

French Offer Help The Marquis de Lafayette arrive to help train Continental Army Lobbied for French reinforcements Led command in VA Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown Treaty of Paris Confirmed U.S. independence Set boundaries – Atlantic Ocean to Miss. River, Canada to Florida border

War is a Symbol of Liberty Rise in egalitarianism Belief in the equality of all people Ability, effort and virtue defined people, not wealth or family background Applied only to white males Uncertainty for Native Americans

Republic? Gov’t in which citizens rule through elected representatives Fear of giving power to uneducated masses

Articles of Confederation Set up by 2nd Continental Congress Articles = set of laws Established a confederation (alliance) among the 13 states Congress 1 vote per state regardless of population Powers divided between states and national gov’t Power to declare war, make peace, sign treaties Borrow money Set standards for coins, weights and measures Postal service Approved by all 13 states – March 1781 Northwest Ordinance 3-5 states in NW territory, requirements for admission

Weaknesses of Articles Shays’ Rebellion Congress could not enact and collect taxes Each state had only 1 vote 9 of 13 states in agreement to pass important laws Could amend Articles only if all states approved No executive branch to enforce laws of Congress No national court system to settle legal disputes 13 separate states lacking national unity

Need for a New Government Constitutional Convention called in Philadelphia, May 1787 Needed stronger central gov’t Decided to form an entirely new gov’t Major issue = representation

Virginia Plan V. New Jersey Plan Proposed by James Madison Bicameral (two-house) legislature Membership based on state population Gave more power to states with large population New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Paterson Single house congress Each state had equal vote

Great Compromise Deadlocked debate led to suggestion… Two house Congress to satisfy small and large states Senate (upper house) 2 reps regardless of population House of Representatives (lower house) # of reps determined by population Three-Fifths compromise for slaves

Division & Separation of Powers Federalism: power divided between nat’l and state gov’ts National powers – delegated and enumerated Foreign affairs, trade regulation State powers – reserved Education supervision Checks and Balances Legislative, executive, judicial branches Electoral college Constitution can be amended w/ ratification