A New Government for a New Nation

The Articles of Confederation When: 1777-1787 First government for the new country Confederation form of government Colonies would remain separate and independent Power held by the states Weak national government

The Articles of Confederation Only Branch of Government: Legislative # of Houses in Congress: Only one! Representation Based on: Equal representation Each state had one vote National Gov't States

Strengths of the Articles Could pass laws Could declare and fight wars Could sign peace treaties Only success was the Land Ordinances 1785: way of dividing and distributing lands in the Northwest Territory 1787: rules for setting up governments in territories and how those territories could becomes states

Weaknesses of the Articles No executive or judicial branches of gov’t Could not enforce laws (like taxes) Could not settle disputes between states Could not regulate commerce (trade) between the states No common currency – each state printed their own money Required 9 of 13 states to pass laws

Results of the Articles States had border disputes States levied heavy taxes on themselves to pay for war- did not send money to national government States created own currencies States levied tariffs on each others goods States refused to acknowledge any national law they did not like

Shays’ Rebellion What: Significance / Result: Uprising of farmers in Massachusetts protesting taxes Army called in to put down uprising Significance / Result: Highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles Many realize Articles need to be revised

Constitutional Convention

Key Facts When: 1787 Where: Philadelphia, PA Purpose: To REVISE the Articles of Confederation “Father of the Constitution” James Madison

The Members 55 delegates White Males Statesmen, lawyers, planters, bankers, businessmen Most under age 50

Out With the Old… National Gov't State State State Type of Government Create: Federal: power is shared by the national government and the states # of Branches: 3 Legislative: make laws Executive: enforce laws Judicial: interpret laws National Gov't State State State

Issues That Divided the Founders The power of the federal government. Would the states or the federal government have the most power? Representation in Congress How many members on Congress would each state get? small states wanted equal representation, large states wanted it to be determined by population of the states Slavery How would slaves be counted? Would the slave trade continue?

What’s the Fix?

Key Compromises: Representation in Congress Slavery Trade The Presidency

Representation in Congress Key Compromises at the Convention

Virginia Plan Proposed by: Number of Houses in Congress: James Madison Number of Houses in Congress: 2 Representation determined by: Population of the state Favored: Large states live Virginia and New York

New Jersey Plan Equal representation Small states like New Jersey Proposed by: William Patterson Number of Houses in Congress: 1 Representation determined by: Equal representation Favored: Small states like New Jersey

Connecticut Plan Roger Sherman The Great Compromise Who Proposed: Also Known as: The Great Compromise Number of Houses in Congress: 2

Connecticut Plan Senate: House of Representatives: Representation based on: equal representation Number per state: 2 Elected by: state legislatures House of Representatives: Representation based on: population Number per state: varied by state Elected by: the people in a state

Key Compromises at the Convention Do Slaves Count? Key Compromises at the Convention

Do Slaves Count as Population? North: NO (didn’t want South to get more votes/seats in new Congress) South: Yes Compromise: Three-Fifths Compromise Slaves would be counted as 3/5 of one person when counting the population of a state

Key Compromises at the Convention What about Trade? Key Compromises at the Convention

Who Controls Trade? Issue: Resolution: Can Congress tax exports and imports? What about the slave trade? Resolution: Congress could not tax exports. Slave trade will end in 1807.

What about the Presidency? Key Compromises at the Convention

Who Should Elect the President? Agreed only on the idea that it should not be “We the People!” Compromise: Electoral College Each state has a number of electors equal to the number of people they have in Congress Electors chosen by the state legislatures Electors vote for president and vice-president Whoever gets most votes is the Pres and next-most votes is VP 12th Amendment: choose Pres and VP separately