1. From Mediocre to Sublime The Transformation of America’s Central Power: Central Power: From the Articles to the Constitution

2. Now we return to our regularly scheduled program… The colonists are victorious in the Revolution giving them freedom from England The colonists are victorious in the Revolution giving them freedom from England YEEEAAAAYYYYYY…now what? YEEEAAAAYYYYYY…now what? The first constitution of the United States was not what we know today, but rather the Articles of Confederation The first constitution of the United States was not what we know today, but rather the Articles of Confederation The Articles aimed to set up an alliance between the 13 states rather than have one central authority figure or government The Articles aimed to set up an alliance between the 13 states rather than have one central authority figure or government Why would the newly formed U.S. want to avoid a strong central government? Why would the newly formed U.S. want to avoid a strong central government? Each state got 1 vote in Congress, regardless of population Each state got 1 vote in Congress, regardless of population Powers were divided between the states and national government Powers were divided between the states and national government The national government could declare war, make peace, sign treaties, borrow money, set standards for coins and weights and measures, and establish a postal service The national government could declare war, make peace, sign treaties, borrow money, set standards for coins and weights and measures, and establish a postal service

3. Head (North)West Young Man After the Revolutionary War, people settled west of the Appalachians, so Congress passed the Land Ordinance of 1785 to survey the land and, more importantly… After the Revolutionary War, people settled west of the Appalachians, so Congress passed the Land Ordinance of 1785 to survey the land and, more importantly… The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provided a procedure for dividing the land into no fewer than three and no more than five states The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provided a procedure for dividing the land into no fewer than three and no more than five states Requirements were also set for the admission of new states Requirements were also set for the admission of new states These ordinances were the best things the Articles of Confederation did These ordinances were the best things the Articles of Confederation did

4. Madness Weaknesses of Articles: Weaknesses of Articles: –No executive branch (blame King George III) –No federal courts (state courts only) –Federal legislative branch was intentionally weak (state sovereignty more important than federal control) –Each state had one vote (advantage: small states) –9 out of 13 states needed to approve a law –All amendments must be unanimously voted for by the states –There was no control of interstate trade and states levied tariffs against each other –No standing army; states contributed troops as they felt it was important –States overprinted money, making it worthless (and money in one state wasn’t necessarily useable in another state)

5. You’re My Greatest Mistake… So since there were all of these problems with the Articles, why did so many smart people argue that a stronger Articles of Confederation would have bad for the future of America? So since there were all of these problems with the Articles, why did so many smart people argue that a stronger Articles of Confederation would have bad for the future of America?

6. I Throw My Hands Up in the Air Sometimes…Saying Hey, NO! I WON’T LET IT GO! (sorry for the bad editorializing of a bad song) By 1786, there was a clear division of haves and have- nots By 1786, there was a clear division of haves and have- nots Some of the have-nots in Massachusetts decided it would be a good idea to try to burn Boston down… Some of the have-nots in Massachusetts decided it would be a good idea to try to burn Boston down… …I’ll let you guess how that turned out… …I’ll let you guess how that turned out… Daniel Shays, a veteran of the Revolution, led his fellow farmers to fight for their land that was foreclosed upon Daniel Shays, a veteran of the Revolution, led his fellow farmers to fight for their land that was foreclosed upon Shays demanded the state issue paper money, lighten taxes, and suspend property takeovers because they were broke and wanted to keep their land Shays demanded the state issue paper money, lighten taxes, and suspend property takeovers because they were broke and wanted to keep their land Massachusetts raised a small army (with wealthy help) and put down the revolt Massachusetts raised a small army (with wealthy help) and put down the revolt

7. Let the Bodies Hit the Floor… Why would the Massachusetts elite be willing to help put down Shays’s Rebellion? Why would the Massachusetts elite be willing to help put down Shays’s Rebellion?

8. It’s All About the Benjamins… The 1 st Constitutional Convention attempted to meet over the issue of commerce (that means money) but only 5 states showed up The 1 st Constitutional Convention attempted to meet over the issue of commerce (that means money) but only 5 states showed up Alexander Hamilton said a new convention should meet the next year in NY to deal with the Articles as a whole (not just money) Alexander Hamilton said a new convention should meet the next year in NY to deal with the Articles as a whole (not just money) Congress didn’t like Hamilton’s plan, but since 6 states had already appointed delegates, they called for the convention “for the sole and express purpose of revising” the Articles Congress didn’t like Hamilton’s plan, but since 6 states had already appointed delegates, they called for the convention “for the sole and express purpose of revising” the Articles

9. Help! I Need Somebody Help! Instead of revising the Articles, 55 conservative delegates from large and small states agreed to throw out the Articles and create a new constitution despite strict orders to revise it Instead of revising the Articles, 55 conservative delegates from large and small states agreed to throw out the Articles and create a new constitution despite strict orders to revise it

10. You Can’t Always Get What You Want Virginia Plan: Large state plan where congressional members based on state population in a bicameral (2 house) Congress Virginia Plan: Large state plan where congressional members based on state population in a bicameral (2 house) Congress New Jersey Plan: Small state plan where congressional members would be elected with equal representation per state in a unicameral (1 house) Congress New Jersey Plan: Small state plan where congressional members would be elected with equal representation per state in a unicameral (1 house) Congress Great Compromise: A bicameral Congress would exist with one body (House of Representatives) based on population and one body (Senate) based on equal representation Great Compromise: A bicameral Congress would exist with one body (House of Representatives) based on population and one body (Senate) based on equal representation We’ll get deeper into the Constitution tomorrow We’ll get deeper into the Constitution tomorrow