Founding a Government

Problems with the Articles of Confederation  States formed new governments after the Declaration of Independence, had trouble with central government principles.  Americans wanted a republic that ruled “with consent of the governed”  America still worked under the Articles of Confederation, which established an association of independent states.  Under the Articles, the central government had power to set national policies and carry on foreign relations.

Articles of Confederation  The Articles also had several weaknesses: Congress could not impose taxes to repay war debts. Congress could not regulate trade. 9 of 13 states needed to agree in order to pass laws. All states had to agree to amend the Articles No executive branch to enforce laws passed by Congress No judicial branch to interpret laws passed by Congress

The Pros and Cons of Independence Struggles  Economic problems in the states: New England’s valuable trade with Britain was ruined. New England’s valuable trade with Britain was ruined. Paper money was not valuable, led to inflation Paper money was not valuable, led to inflation The states collected taxes in “hard currency” instead of paper money. The states collected taxes in “hard currency” instead of paper money.

The Constitutional Convention Many did not like the Articles of Confederation Many did not like the Articles of Confederation 1786 George Washington and James Madison convened a meeting of the states in Maryland, but delegates from only five showed up George Washington and James Madison convened a meeting of the states in Maryland, but delegates from only five showed up. Congress then called the states to meet in Philadelphia in 1787 for a Constitutional Convention. Congress then called the states to meet in Philadelphia in 1787 for a Constitutional Convention. James Madison is often called the Father of the Constitution. James Madison is often called the Father of the Constitution. The convention unanimously chose George Washington as its president. The convention unanimously chose George Washington as its president.

Plans for Representation in Government   Virginia Plan Proposed a new form of government with three branches: executive, judicial, legislative The legislature would be bicameral, with an upper and lower house. Members would be chosen in proportion to each state’s population. Disliked by small states that would have less power

Plans for Representation in Government   New Jersey Plan Retained many of the features of the Confederation Gave Congress additional powers Suggested a one-house legislature with equal representation for each state Tried to equalize power for states

Plans for Representation in Government   The Great Compromise A Connecticut plan to balance state powers Two-house legislature: upper house Senate represented the state, the lower house the population. The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed only part of the slave population to be counted

Providing Check and Balances   Needed a balance of power between the Congress and the president. The delegates set up a system of checks and balances.

Three Branches of Government   Legislative Branch   Judicial Branch   Executive Branch

Three Branches of Government   Legislative Branch Makes the laws Gives advice and consent to president Can pass over vetoes with two-thirds vote

Three Branches of Government   Executive Branch President and cabinet Carries out laws Makes treaties and nominates judges Vetoes laws

Three Branches of Government   Judicial Branch Supreme Court and lower courts Interprets laws as they relate to the Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution   Federalists Wanted to ratify, or accept, the Constitution Believed in a strong national government Believed the separation of powers in the Constitution limited government power Popular with the wealthy Inspired the Federalist Papers, essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, which offered practical arguments for strong government

Ratifying the Constitution   Anti-federalists Feared a strong national government would lead to tyranny and abuse of states’ rights and individual liberties Did not trust government to protect people’s rights Popular with farmers and planters Thought the new government favored the wealthy and educated over ordinary people

The Bill of Rights  The Bill of Rights protected individual rights. The first eight amendments dealt with individual civil liberties. The first eight amendments dealt with individual civil liberties. The Ninth Amendment stated that listing certain rights in this document did not mean that other unlisted rights did not exist. The Ninth Amendment stated that listing certain rights in this document did not mean that other unlisted rights did not exist. The Tenth Amendment defined two types of government powers: delegated and reserved powers. The Tenth Amendment defined two types of government powers: delegated and reserved powers. – Delegated powers are those given out to the three branches of government. – Reserved powers belonged to the states or the people.