1. Confederation and Constitution

2. New Government Articles of Confederation- ratified in 1781
Only after VA and NY ceded some of their land to the federal government did MD ratify
State constitutions were revived and recreated
Most included a bill of rights
Most included annual election of legislators
All created weak executive and judicial branch

3. Articles of Confusion? No executive or judicial branch
"Article III.  The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defence, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever.”
No executive or judicial branch
Congress- one vote per state
No power to regulate commerce
Couldn’t enforce tax-collection program

4. Desperate State of Affairs
Continentals disaster
Newburgh Conspiracy led by Robert Morris the head of finance

5. Any Good News? Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Stepping Stone

6. Anarchy? States refuse to pay Conflicts breaking out between states
Shay’s Rebellion - the last straw

7. Constitutional “Demigods”
Demographics of group
Conservative
Well-to-do
Lawyers, merchants, shippers, etc.
19 of 55 owned slaves
Average age: 42

8. Compromise!!!

9. Great Compromise
VA Plan (large-state plan)
NJ Plan (small-state plan)

10. Three-Fifths Compromise
Three out of every five slaves would count towards population for representation

11. Other Compromises Office of President Slave Trade Compromise
Federal System

12. The Hard Part is Done….Right?
Needed Nine states approval
Federalists v. Antifederalists

13. “The vast Continent of America cannot be long subjected to a Democracy if consolidated into one Government. You might as well attempt to rule Hell by Prayer.”
Federalist or Antifederalist?
Why might someone think this?

14. Success!!! VA and NY were the swing votes
RI and NC rejected the Constitution and refused to join the new United States