CH.5 – FOUNDATIONS OF U.S. GOVERNMENT

Articles of Confederation An Alliance of Independent States 1. Considered the US’s first constitution 2. set up a confederation where states held most of the power Some positive achievements of the Confederation Congress: 1. concluded and won Revolutionary War 2. negotiated Treaty of Paris 3. Passed Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 a. set precedent for new states joining union b. prohibited slavery in Northwest Territory

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation 1.no single national currency 2.no power to tax people directly (had to ask states) 3.no Executive (president) or Judicial Branches 4.no money for national army 5.could not be changed without consent of all 13 states 6.Shays’ Rebellion in 1786 highlighted weaknesses

Writing the Constitution Constitutional Convention reps met in Philadelphia in 1787 all wealthier, landed white men intention was to reform not abolish Articles soon decided to scrap Articles and write new Constitution

Key Compromises of the Convention Great Compromise a. Virginia Plan proposed bicameral legislature with representation based on population b. New Jersey Plan wanted unicameral legislature with representation equal for each state c. Compromise was a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state Three-Fifths Compromise a. slaves count for three-fifths of a vote b. South gains heavily representation in House of Reps.

Debating the Constitution Federalists generally supported Constitution liked a strong central government Federalist Papers: written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison to convince citizens to ratify the Constitution.Alexander Hamilton Anti-Federalists did not support Constitution feared strong central government Wanted more power to states wanted a bill of rights to protect the people

Elements of the Constitution Seven Articles Legislative Branch: Congress (Senate & House of Representatives) Executive Branch: President Judicial Branch: Supreme Court Relationship between states and national government (federalism) Process for Amending Constitution Supremacy of National Law Ratification Process Bill of Rights: limits powers of the Federal government by providing basic rights for all citizens.

Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty: power to the people Limited Government: powers limited by Constitution Separation of Powers: legislative, executive, and judicial branch Checks and Balances: each branch has some control of the others Federalism: power shared by federal and state governments delegated: powers of national government reserved: powers of states governments concurrent: shared by state and national government implied: federal powers that can be inferred or interpreted through the “Elastic Clause” Flexibility: Constitution can be changed through amendments or Judicial Review via Supreme Court interpretation

Washington’s Presidency Set precedents for future administrations Balance: ‘Washington’s Court’ with democratic ideals Washington’s Farewell Address: advice for the future of U.S.A.