1. American Government:

2. We Won the Revolution!!!
Now What?

3. The Colonies After the War
13 independent states
Loosely connected by Continental Congress
Need to organize all states as one nation
What the states feared
high taxes
A strong central government (a king or Parliament that can boss them around)
Losing freedoms and rights
Mob rule

4. The Articles of Confederation
How the Articles of Confederation worked
Loose connection of States, weak federal gov.
Congress can not tax; can only ask for funds
The President of Congress only served for one year- very limited power
No federal court system

5. Problems with the Articles of Confederation
Lack of funds and poorly supplied army (high debt from war)
States could make their own trade agreements
France and Spain stopped trading with us because it was too chaotic
Continental Congress money was worthless; states begin printing their own worthless money
Inflation and depression

6. Shay’s Rebellion Massachusetts raises taxes on farmers to pay war debt
Courts and banks seize land, farmers are put in debtors prison
Daniel Shay’s (former soldier and farmer) leads hundreds to attack Supreme Court of Massachusetts.
Mass. Called on Congress for help putting down revolt, Congress could do nothing.

7. We need a New Government!
Delegates met in Philadelphia 1787 to change the articles of Confederation.
It becomes obvious a new constitution must be created.

8. Debates of the Constitution Convention!
Federalists
Alexander Hamilton, John Adams
want a strong central government
Favored by businesses and merchants
Anti-Federalists
George Mason, Thomas Jefferson
Wanted weak central government- states should have more power
Demanded a Bill of Rights included to constitution
Favored by farmers

9. Constitution Convention debates
The Great Compromise
2 Houses of Congress
Senate and House of Representatives
Senate = 2 reps. Per state
House= reps. Based on population
New Jersey Plan
Congress should have 1 house
All states will have equal representation
Virginia Plan
Congress should have 2 houses
Larger states will have larger representation

10. The Not so Great Compromise
The 3/5 Compromise
Southern States
Slaves should count as representative population- gives south more power
Northern States
Slaves cannot vote and do not have rights- why should slave owners have more representation than others?
Each slave counts as 3/5 of a person when calculating representation.
This compromise was necessary to sign constitution but the slavery issue is not over

11. The Electoral College Debate
Big States
Small States
Want a direct popular vote to decide president
Fear large states will dominate presidential elections
Electoral College compromise
Each state is worth a number of votes based on population
NJ is worth 15 votes, CA is worth 55

12. Electoral College- 2008 election

13. Stop and Think
4 times in American history a president has lost the popular vote but won a presidential election- do you think this is fair or not? Give reasons

14. Keeping Things in Check: checks and balances

16. Lets Get the Deal Signed!
Federalists
Alexander Hamilton, John Adams
want a strong central government
Favored by businesses and merchants
Anti-Federalists
George Mason, Thomas Jefferson
Wanted weak central government- states should have more power
Demanded a Bill of Rights included to constitution
Favored by farmers

17. The Bill of Rights

18. Responsibilities of Citizenship
You Must…
Pay taxes
Know and obey all laws
Males 18 and older must make themselves eligible for selective service (military draft)
You Should…
Vote
Participate in community service
Participate in local, state, or national politics

19. Nothing is Perfect
Problems with Constitution and Bill of Rights- hypocrisy
Excludes the rights of slaves, natives, and women
Anti-slavery north know South will not join union if slavery is outlawed- don’t force the issue
Young nation is looking to expand into native lands to the west- by force if necessary
Women cannot vote or own property in most states