The Articles of Confederation to Ratification of the Constitution

Essential Questions 1) What was the Articles of Confederation? What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? 2) What debates did the founders have when drafting the Constitution? 3) How was the Constitution finally ratified?

1) What was the Articles of Confederation? What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Articles of Confederation Need for new gov’t after Independence Need for new gov’t after Independence Every state had own constitution Every state had own constitution Necessary to create a central gov’t Necessary to create a central gov’t

Articles of Confederation cont. Congress adopted Articles of Confederation Nov 1777: first national constitution Congress adopted Articles of Confederation Nov 1777: first national constitution “League of Friendship” between states “League of Friendship” between states Congressional Powers included Congressional Powers included Make war and peace, send/receive ambassadors, enter into treaties, regulate Indian affairs Make war and peace, send/receive ambassadors, enter into treaties, regulate Indian affairs Maintain army/navy, appoint military officers Maintain army/navy, appoint military officers Establish post offices, coin money Establish post offices, coin money

Strengths Land Ordinance of 1785: plan for surveying, selling and settling western territory Land Ordinance of 1785: plan for surveying, selling and settling western territory Each township 36 sections, each section 1 square mile Each township 36 sections, each section 1 square mile 4 square miles – gov’t, 1 square mile – school 4 square miles – gov’t, 1 square mile – school Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Plan for how new states are admitted Plan for how new states are admitted

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation No power to enforce policies No power to enforce policies No executive No executive No power to tax No power to tax 9 of 13 states had to agree to pass laws 9 of 13 states had to agree to pass laws 13 had to agree to amend 13 had to agree to amend

Shay’s Rebellion Farmers went bankrupt after war Farmers went bankrupt after war Daniel Shays led a rebellion in Massachusetts in an attempt to shut down debtor courts Daniel Shays led a rebellion in Massachusetts in an attempt to shut down debtor courts Rebellion put down by Massachusetts militia Rebellion put down by Massachusetts militia Important question came up: what if the state can’t put down a rebellion? Important question came up: what if the state can’t put down a rebellion?

2) What debates did the founders have when drafting the Constitution?

Constitutional Convention Congress called for delegates to meet in Philadelphia 1787 Washington presided Madison is considered “the father” Heated debates about representation in Congress  compromises  creation of the Constitution

Representation Based on Population?

Big States: Virginia Plan states would get reps based on population. states would get reps based on population. Small states thought this was unfair because they would be overpowered by the larger states. Small states thought this was unfair because they would be overpowered by the larger states. Small States: New Jersey Plan Every state would get the same number of reps. Big states did not like this because thought they deserved more votes because they had more people to represent.

Virginia PlanNew Jersey Plan

Should Slaves Count in Population?

Northern States Low slave populations Low slave populations Wanted only white populations to count toward representation in Congress Wanted only white populations to count toward representation in Congress Northerners did not want the southerners to get more votes in Congress Northerners did not want the southerners to get more votes in Congress Southern States High slave populations Wanted slave populations to count because then southern states would get more votes in Congress

Three-Fifths Compromise Slaves would be counted as 3/5 of one person when calculating a state’s population Slaves would be counted as 3/5 of one person when calculating a state’s population

End Slavery? Another important debate was over the issue of slavery and the slave trade. Another important debate was over the issue of slavery and the slave trade. Northern states wanted to abolish it, Southern states did not. Northern states wanted to abolish it, Southern states did not. Founding fathers decided to keep slavery out of the Constitution. Founding fathers decided to keep slavery out of the Constitution. Left the issue for future generations to decide. Left the issue for future generations to decide.

3) How was the Constitution finally ratified?

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Feds: supporters of the Constitution Feds: supporters of the Constitution Favored strong national gov’t Favored strong national gov’t Believed separation of powers limited gov’t Believed separation of powers limited gov’t Anti-Feds: opponents of the Constitution Anti-Feds: opponents of the Constitution Opposed to strong national gov’t = lead to tyranny and abuse of individual/states rights! Opposed to strong national gov’t = lead to tyranny and abuse of individual/states rights!

Federalists Papers 85 essays in support of the Constitution 85 essays in support of the Constitution Published anonymously in a NY newspaper Published anonymously in a NY newspaper Eventually collected into a book called The Federalist Eventually collected into a book called The Federalist James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay were authors James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay were authors

The Bill of Rights Anti-Federalists wanted a Bill of Rights Anti-Federalists wanted a Bill of Rights States ratified with the promise of Bill of Rights States ratified with the promise of Bill of Rights In 1791 the first 10 amendments which protected individual and states rights were approved In 1791 the first 10 amendments which protected individual and states rights were approved DON’T FORGET YOUR SUMMARY!