How do you form a government? The Articles of Confederation

Moving West People moved west because of many rich, river valleys (Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio areas) They had many problems with the Native Americans that lived there. Lots of fights broke out.

New State Governments Each state began creating their own government after the Declaration The states wanted to keep the same political system that they had as colonies but just make them more democratic. The one thing that every state had was a republican form of government

Articles of Confederation “ United we stand, divided we fall ” Our first constitution Created by the Continental Congress in 1776 The national government had few powers under this plan because Americans were afraid that a strong government would lead to tyranny The national government was run by a Confederation Congress Each state had only one vote in Congress The national government could wage war, make peace, sign treaties and issue money The states could set taxes and enforce national laws

Northwest Ordinance In the Treaty of Paris, the colonies won the lands to the west, all the way to the Mississippi River They made this land into townships which were six-mile square plots of land This territory formed the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota When there were 5000 free males in an area, an assembly could be elected and when there were 60,000 people, they could apply to become a new state Slavery was outlawed, freedom of religion and trial by jury were guaranteed This ordinance was important because it set a pattern for orderly growth of the United States.

Shay ’ s Rebellion Under the Articles of Confederation, the Congress (the national government) could not make money (didn ’ t have the power to tax) so they depended on the states to send them money (but they didn ’ t) In Massachusetts, people had little money but the state kept charging high taxes. The average family owed $200 a year in taxes which is more than most farmers made. So, many farmers fell deep into debt. Debt laws were harsh so if you couldn ’ t pay your taxes, your property would be auctioned off and if that didn ’ t raise enough money, you would be jailed. A Revolutionary War veteran named Daniel Shays led a rebellion of farmers. In January 1787, Shays and his men marched on a federal arsenal (where they store weapons). The arsenal was guarded by 900 soldiers from the state militia. The farmers were defeated but they gained sympathy from many people. This led to many leaders to believe that we needed a stronger national government

The Convention There were 55 delegates to the Philadelphia Convention The convention was held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA (the same place that the Declaration was signed) 12 states sent delegates (Rhode Island did not send delegates)

The People George Washington was named the President of the convention James Madison took very detailed notes of every thing that took place at the convention. Many of the ideas that became the constitution were his ideas. He is called the “ father of the Constitution All delegates were male, white and ranged in age from 26 years old to 82 years old!

The Rules of the Convention The single, most important rule of the convention was SECRECY!!!! They were not to talk about any of the issues or discussions outside of room they were in!!!! The convention took place in May through September of These men spent all day in a hot room with the windows shut, no air conditioning and candles burning for light. Not to mention that they were all wearing heavy, fancy suits!

Virginia Plan Proposed by Edmund Randolph (on behalf of James Madison and George Washington) 3 Branches of Government Legislative- make the laws Executive- execute the laws Judicial- interpret the laws Bicameral Legislature- both houses’ representation determined by a state’s population Upper House- Senate Lower House- House of Representatives

New Jersey Plan William Paterson proposed it 3 Branches of government Legislative Executive Judicial One House Legislature- Unicameral Each state would have an equal number of representatives

The Great Compromise Roger Sherman constructed the compromise 3 Branch Government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) 2 House Legislature House of Representatives- number of representatives that a state gets is dependent on their population Senate- each state gets 2 Senators

Slavery South Wanted slaves counted the same as any other people when determining a state’s population North Slaves should be counted only as property that could be taxed like any other property someone owns.

3/5 Compromise James Madison (a Virginia slave owner) proposed the compromise It was the only way to keep the convention moving and not fall apart For every 5 slaves in a state, only 3 would count for determining a state’s population for the number of representatives that they get in the House of Representatives

Slave Trade and Run-aways Congress could not tax exports to other countries Congress could not make laws on the slave trade for 20 years (1808) If a slave ran away, they could be returned to their owner, even if they were caught in a free state

The Chief Executive James Wilson proposed a single executive (chief executive) The Chief Executive= The President Electing this person= The Electoral College A group of people that cast votes for the President on behalf of their state based on the number of representatives and senators their state has in Congress. This is how we elect the President of the United States.

Federalism A system of government in which power is shared between the central (federal) government and the states

Federalists v. Anti-Federalists Anti-Federalists- believed the Constitution took too much power away from the states and did not guarantee rights for the people Anti-Federalists also believed a President might be declared a King.

Federalists v. Anti-Federalists Federalists Supported removing some powers from the states and giving more powers to the National government Favored giving powers among different branches of governent Proposed a single person to lead the Executive Branch Anti-Federalists Wanted important political powers to remain with the states Wanted the Legislative Branch to have more power than the Executive Branch Feared a strong Executive might become a King or tyrant Believed a Bill of Rights MUST be added to the constitution to protect people’s rights

Federalists v. Anti-Federalists

Bill of Rights When they were British citizens they had the English Bill of Rights and they expected the same rights and protections as American citizens. Anti-Federalists believed a Bill of Rights was necessary to protect people against the power of the National Government.

The Law of the Land 55 men attended the Constitutional Convention 39 men signed the Constitution Once it was signed it had to be approved by the state conventions. For it to officially become the “Law of the Land” 9 out of 13 states had to approve it. By the end of 1788 it was official. All 13 states did finally adopt it. George Washington was elected the 1 st President of the United States in John Adams became the Vice President. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1791 (the first 10 amendments, or changes, to the Constitution)