D. “Weaknesses” of the A. of C. (Articles of Confederation)

Timeline of the Revolution 1763 – Seven Years’ War ends – War for Independence begins – D of I signed – A of C completed. – Battles of Saratoga – Treaty of Alliance w/ France.

Timeline of the Revolution (cont.) 1781 – Battle of Yorktown. – A of C goes into effect – Treaty of Paris signed – Philadelphia Convention – Constitution goes into effect.

What to know about each weakness of the A of C: a) Why was it included in the A of C in the first place? b) How did it turn out to be a mistake?

1) 1 vote/state in Congress. a)  Confederation. b) Unitary “Big Three”:VA MASS PENN 50%+ pop. 3 / 13 >25% POWER!

2) 9/13 required in Congress to pass a law. a) b) Parliament =Simple Majority. 2/3 Congress passed very few laws.

3) No power to tax. a) Distant central govt.  States. b)Congress was broke. IOUs

4) No standing army/navy. a) REDCOATS! b) Pirates. Indians. Shays’ Rebellion.  State militias.

5) No power to regulate trade. a) Mercantilism.  States. b) Trade wars. Separate currencies.

6) No president to enforce laws. a)KING!  State Governors. b) Not all laws enforced by all governors.

7) No national court system. a) Distant courts.  State courts. b) Different states = Different punishments. No way to resolve conflicts between states.

8) 13/13 to make an Amendment. b)Amendments. a)All 13 agreed to A of C willingly.

ANARCHY!

E. The Philadelphia Convention 1780s = “Critical Decade” A of C allowed 13 states to act like 13 independent countries. Anarchy among the states was the result: – Trade wars. – Boundary disputes. – Armed Rebellion.

E. The Philadelphia Convention (cont.) James MadisonAlexander Hamilton

E. The Philadelphia Convention (cont.) Sept – Annapolis Convention. Called to discuss trade disputes. Only 5 states showed up. Unanimous statement calling for a convention in Philadelphia. Shay’s Rebellion!

E. The Philadelphia Convention (cont.) Thomas JeffersonJohn Adams France England

E. The Philadelphia Convention (cont.) George WashingtonBen Franklin

E. The Philadelphia Convention (cont.) May – Sept, delegates. 12 states. no Rhode Island. REVISE the A of C.

E. The Philadelphia Convention (cont.) 3 key decisions: 1) GW = President. 2) Secrecy Oath. 3) ABOLISH the A of C. 1 vote/state. simple majority vote of states present

F. The Virginia Plan James Madison Author of the Virginia Plan. “Father of the Constitution.”

F. The Virginia Plan Congress House of Reps House of Reps Senate New Powers for Congress: People 2 years 6 years President Supreme Court Supreme Court 7 years Life Terms 1-term limit 1) Tax 2) Regulate Trade 3) Army & Navy 4) Nullify state laws 5) Invade the states New Rules: 1) Simple Majority 2) Proportional Representation PARLIAMENTARY UNITARY BICAMERAL BRITISH!

G. The Great Compromise The great issue of the Convention: How will the states be represented in the new Congress? NJ Plan = unicameral with 1 vote/state. VA Plan = bicameral with Proportional Representation. (Big states) (Small states) Madison William Paterson

G. The Great Compromise (cont.) Large States: Virginia Massachusetts Pennsylvania N. Carolina S. Carolina Georgia Small States: Delaware New Jersey Connecticut Maryland New York Rhode Island New Hampshire

G. The Great Compromise (cont.) Roger Sherman Creator of Great Compromise. Delegate from Connecticut.

G. The Great Compromise (cont.) House of Reps House of Reps Senate Congress Based on population 1 vote/state2 votes/state

G. The Great Compromise (cont.) James Madison: The Senate is a non-democratic body and “confessedly unjust.” CA WY H of R Senate Yes No

H. Other Compromises Congress House of Reps House of Reps Senate New Powers: People 2 years 6 years President Supreme Court Supreme Court 7 years Life Terms 1-term limit 1) Tax 2) Regulate Trade 3) Army & Navy 4) Nullify state laws 5) Invade the states New Rules: 1) Simple Majority 2) Proportional Representation Madison’s Virginia Plan Population 2 per state Great Compromise

H. Other Compromises (cont.) 1) President’s Term Compromise. How long can the president serve? Too long? Too short? Solution:4-year term;no limit. VA Plan: 7-year term, 1-term limit.

H. Other Compromises (cont.) 2) Electoral College Compromise. Who should choose the President? 1) Congress 2) People 3) State Leg. Nov: Vote Dec: Choose electors. Jan: No majority? Same # as seats in Congress (H+S). H  Pres. S  V.P. (non-binding) Simple Majority wins!

H. Other Compromises (cont.) 3) Commerce & Slave Trade Comp. What limits should be put on the power to regulate trade? 1) Export taxes. 2) Import taxes. No. Yes Southern fears: 3) End of Slave trade?

H. Other Compromises (cont.) 4) 3/5 Compromise Look it up! I. Appeasing the States Download from my webpage and add to your notes!

I. Appeasing the States Congress House of Reps House of Reps Senate New Powers: People President Supreme Court Supreme Court 1) Tax 2) Regulate Trade 3) Army & Navy 4) Nullify state laws 5) Invade the states Madison’s Virginia Plan State Leg. State Leg. State Leg. State Leg. Electors Federalism