Unit 2 Review Topics: Articles of Confederation Federalists and Antifederalists Principles of the Constitution *this is a brief overview of the content

How the Central Government under the Articles handled the following: (1) Disputes between states over land claims in the west Land claimed by various states was ceded to the confederation government , creating a national domain Confederation government created a method for distributing land through Land Ordinances

And Confederation government created new states through Northwest Ordinance (declared slavery illegal in old west NW territory) Land and NW ordinances 1st acts of Congress (2) Treaty of Paris: During revolutionary war, confederation government was effective in negotiating Treaty of Paris

A. Economic Problems Under the Articles During the war, trade with Great Britain was interrupted; as a result the nation experienced a depression People had trouble paying mortgages and state taxes Lead to a rebellion in Massachusetts Shay’s rebellion http://shaysrebellion.stcc.edu/shaysapp/map.do?shortName=events

Farmers in MA suffered from high debt as they tried to start new farms The MA government did not help farmers and instead local sheriffs seized farms and some farmers who couldn’t pay their debts were put in prison Conditions led to 1st major armed rebellion since the Revolution Farmers in western MA organized resistance: Called meeting to protest conditions; Rebels forced courts to close and freed imprisoned debtors from jail Events soon erupted into a full-scale revolt when the resistors came under the leadership of Daniel Shays, a former captain in the Continental Army.

Farmers in MA suffered from high debt as they tried to start new farms The MA government did not help farmers and instead local sheriffs seized farms and some farmers who couldn’t pay their debts were put in prison Conditions led to 1st major armed rebellion since the Revolution Farmers in western MA organized resistance: Called meeting to protest conditions; Rebels forced courts to close and freed imprisoned debtors from jail Events soon erupted into a full-scale revolt when the resistors came under the leadership of Daniel Shays, a former captain in the Continental Army.

B. Diplomatic Problems under the Articles Confederation government could not force the British troops to follow the provisions (agreements) of the Treaty of Paris such as: Required removal of British troops stationed at frontier forts on US soil Not able to persuade the British government to allow the continuation of trade between British merchants and former colonies

As a result: states were negotiating on their own with other nations With Spain: Confederation government could not persuade Spain to allow Americans access through New Orleans to the sea As a result: states were negotiating on their own with other nations

C. Political Problems The confederation government could not levy taxes, but only borrow money Many states refused to give money to support national government As a result: national government could not support an army to give national government diplomatic power with other nations

HOW Constitution fixed problems Economic: National gov & states can tax Only national gov. coin $$ National gov. regulates interstate commerce Trade b/n states Create stronger national gov. to preserve peace

HOW Constitution fixed problems Diplomatic: National government given right to make treaties with foreign powers Able to protect US interests

How Constitution fixed problems Political: Created 3 branches of gov. Created bicameral congress 2 houses based on population size and equal representation In Senate: 2 reps per state In House of Rep: based on population To pass a law Need majority to pass in House 60% to pass in Senate

Views of the Federalists and Antifederalists

Federalists Anti-Federalists Key Figures Alexander Hamilton James Madison Wrote Federalists papers Thomas Jefferson Supporters Property owners, land rich merchants in Northern states Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers

Federalists Anti-Federalists Beliefs Believed in elitism; saw themselves and those in their class as most fit to govern Believed in decency of the common man and participation in democracy. Viewed elites as corrupt. Wanted great protection of individual rights

Federalists Anti-Federalists How they wanted to structure the government Powerful central government 2 house legislature With Senate Wanted stronger state governments Frequent elections Smaller districts More direct democracy

Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty Power and authority of the government comes from the American people Limited Government Goal: create a gov that was not too powerful: 1. National gov. does have not absolute authority 2. Government may only do those things that people have given it the power to do 3. Government must obey its own laws 4. Gov must be conducted according to constitutional principles Checks and balances Check system by each Example: Congress passes a bill, the President can veto the bill or sign it into law Federalism Division of powers between national and state governments Federal system enables national gov to act for nation as a whole, while granting authority to states to deal with local issues Judicial Review Separation of Powers 3 branches 1. Congress (HR and Senate) 2. President 3. Judiciary Power of the courts to interpret laws and determine whether Congressional legislation as Constitutional or unconstitutional

Sections of the U.S. Constitution THE BILL OF RIGHTS Congress passed the Bill of Rights in 1789 for the purpose of protecting civil liberties. Greatly influenced by the English Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence, these ten amendments are known as the U.S. Bill of Rights.