Chapter 2.3 The First National Government  Once independence is declared in America We have to set up governments for our 13 new ‘states’

August, 1776  Each new state signed new state constitutions for their people. Constitution  Basic set of laws and principles establishing a government

Structure of New State Constitutions  State governments were very limited in power No strong figure head as an executive Most of the power was given to the legislative branch of the government  Elections were to be held every year  Why do you think they were set up this way?

Structure of Legislative Body in State Governments  Most were bicameral Had two houses in legislative bodies.  Senate  House of Representatives Only Pennsylvania had a unicameral  Had only 1 house in legislative body.

Rights given in State Constitutions  Most had a list of citizens rights outlined in their state constitutions. Included voting rights for…  White men only

American Revolution ends in 1781…now what??  In the same year the war ended, the 13 states ratified the Articles of Confederation Document bonding the 13 states together in order to maintain sovereignty

Powers listed in the Art. Of Confederation (AOC)  The legislative body (Congress) is most powerful! Why?  There is no executive or judicial branches! Each state had 1 vote in Congress  Majority vote decided action (7 votes)  For serious decisions, 9 votes are needed  Waging war  Sign treaties  For an amendment to the AOC  All 13 states had to agree

All Powers given to Congress…  Declare war  Conduct foreign policy  Borrow money  Establish state militias (military forces)  Settle arguments between states  Manage relations with Native Americans.

Limits on Power of Congress by AOC  No Executive branch No President  No federal Judicial branch Had to rely on state courts to punish citizens for federal laws  No federal officials to enforce law  No power to tax citizens How do they make money?  No power to establish national armed forces had to get consent from each state’s militias  Major laws needed approval of 9 of 13 states!

1787 First and Only Big Accomplishment for AOC  Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Signed by Congress to set procedures for granting statehood to territories within the ‘northwest territory’  No slavery allowed!  Included guaranteed rights for people that migrated there!

Cultural obstacles AOC could not fix  Religious differences North  Protestants (New Jersey and Delaware) South  Baptists (Georgia and North Carolina)  Would they work together?

Other Cultural obstacles AOC could not fix  Slavery in States North  No slaves  Blacks were free! South  Slaves were necessary for economic survival!  Helped keep price of cotton and tobacco low.

By 1786, we are looking for change…  Sept Representatives from Virginia tried to organize a convention in Annapolis, MD for states to talk about issues  Convention  Meeting held by governments Problem…  Only 5 states showed up!  What do you do?

Call for another convention for following year!  Next meeting was to be in Philadelphia, PA in May Start thinking of changes to the AOC  Make a strong federal government to force states to work together  Might want to include:  Executive branches  Judicial branches  How do you get states to come to this meeting?  You need something bad to happen!

Shays' Rebellion August 1786-January 1787  Daniel Shays leads armed rebellion against state officials What is the issue?  Farmers were being kicked off their land for not paying off their debts to state governments! What happens?  Farmers start killing state officials.

What did Shay’s Rebellion prove?  Nothing.. However, people are beginning to ask  “How were we able to beat the world’s largest empire to gain independence but could not keep order in peacetime???”  We need a new government!! A strong government!!  This gets the states to go to Philly, PA in 1787

Onward to Philly…