Formation of the United States Government
Developed idea of democracy, direct democracy, citizenship, and republic
First European nation to experiment with democracy Developed common law, Magna Carta, Parliament, limited monarchy, Bill of Rights
Locke Rousseau Montesquieu
How to fight and win Revolution How to organize new state governments How to develop a national government
Took effect March 1, 1781 America’s first form of government Set up a unicameral legislature No executive or judicial branch
Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Enter into treaties Set up monetary system Borrow money Set uniform weights and measures Settle disputes among states Raise and army and navy
No power to tax Not power to regulate commerce No power to enforce the laws No court system No executive branch 9/13 states had to approve laws 13/13 had to approve amendments
Led country through the American Revolution Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Home of George Washington Representatives from Virginia and Maryland met Discuss difficulties over trade
Only 5 of 13 states attended Called for another meeting in May 1787
Led by Daniel Shay Massachusetts farmer Caused by depression after the American Revolution 2,000 farmers rioted Attacked courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts
Demonstrated that steps had to be taken to strengthen the national government Lacked powerful authority to provide order
Called the Federal Convention Philadelphia 55 of 74 delegates attended Every state sent delegates except Rhode Island Purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation
Proposed by Edmund Randolph of Virginia Created 3 branches of government Legislative branch made up of 2 houses Lower house elected by popular vote Lower house appoint the upper house Number in each house based on population Supported by the larger states
Proposed by William Patterson Called for a unicameral legislature Each state would have an equal number of representatives Called for a dual executive branch
How each state would be represented Large state vs. Small state
Also called the Great Compromise Combination of two plans Called for a bicameral legislature Consist of Senate and House of Representative Senate – equal representation House – based on population
Southern states were allowed to count three-fifths of their slaves in the population figures for representation
Congress could not abolish the slave trade for 20 years after the Constitution went into effect
Congress could not tax the exports of any goods from a state
Established the electoral college
9 out of 13 states had to approve the new Constitution
Supporters of Constitution Led by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay Federalists Papers – series of 85 essays
Shays’ Rebellion They were united with a specific Plan “the Constitution” They were well organized They had George Washington
Opposed ratification of the Constitution Arguments o 1. gave too much power to central gov’t o 2. had no bill of rights o 3. denial of states to print money
1 st state was Delaware 9 th was New Hampshire Last was Rhode Island
Establish Legitimacy Create Appropriate Structures Describe and Distribute Power Limit Government Powers Allow for Change
Popular Sovereignty Republicanism Limited Government Federalism Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Individual Rights
Convened in New York on March 4, 1789 George Washington – President John Adams – Vice President April 30, 1789 inaugurated in New York City
Body of advisors to the president who head the various departments in the executive branch
Attorney General – Edmond Randolph Secretary of War – Henry Knox Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson Secretary of Treasury – Alexander Hamilton
New York Philadelphia Washington D.C Present
French artist and architect Designed Washington D.C. and layout for the White House and Capitol