Confederation To Constitution The United States of America is a free and independent nation. Now What!?

With newly gained independence comes new responsibilities

Woo Hoo, we are a free country! Yes, but now what do we do?

Each of the 13 states wanted to retain its sovereignty (they each wanted to be their own independent country) The states feared an all powerful National/Federal government….they just fought a war to get away from that. Soooo…..in 1777 the states agreed to create a national government that was weak. This “firm league of friendship” was called the Articles of Confederation.

Power reserved for the states Power reserved for the Feds Power reserved for the states

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 The Good Federal government was allowed to regulate the newly acquired lands west to the Mississippi River.

Articles of Confederation What the Federal government What the Federal government could NOT do: could do: The Bad Create an Executive Branch Raise Taxes Issue Common Money Regulate Trade Establish a Court System Declare War and Peace Maintain an Army Negotiate Treaties Borrow Money Establish a Postal Service

Shays Rebellion The Ugly Daniel Shays

Americans soon realized that they had created a government with no real authority, and their new nation was in danger of collapsing before it really began.

Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787

Issues To Be Solved Congress 2. Leadership 3. Slavery

Virginia Plan VS. New Jersey Plan Representation in Congress would be based on population. VS. James Madison New Jersey Plan All states represented equally

The Great Compromise Government would have a Bicameral legislature House of Representatives would be based on population Senate would have two representatives from each state

Elect a President 4 year term of service Elected through the Electoral College

Federalists Anti-Federalists Favored Ratification Wrote the “Federalists Papers” Wanted strong federal government VS. Feared a strong federal government but accepted it as long as the Bill of Rights was included. Anti-Federalists

3 Branches of Government Federalism 3 Branches of Government Executive (President) Legislative (Congress) Judicial (Courts) Separation of Powers = Checks and Balances

Lived in U.S. for the last 14 years Live in the State you represent Position Age Citizenship Residency President 35 Natural Born Lived in U.S. for the last 14 years Senator 30 9 years Live in the State you represent Representative 25 7 years Supreme Court Justice None U.S.