1. Articles of Confederation and The ConstitutionP

2. Military Strengths and Weaknesses United States
Familiarity of home
ground
George Washington
as leader
Inspiring cause was
independence
Weaknesses
Untrained and undisciplined soldiers
Shortage of food and ammunition
Inferior navy
No central gov’t to enforce wartime policies

3. Military Strengths and Weaknesses Great Britain
Strong, well-trained army
and navy
Strong central gov’t with available
funds
Support of colonial Loyalists and
Indians
Weaknesses
Large distance separating Britain and battles
Unfamiliar terrain for troops
Weak military leaders
Sympathy of certain British politicians for American cause

4. French Offer Help
The Marquis de Lafayette arrive to help train Continental Army
Lobbied for French reinforcements
Led command in VA
Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown
Treaty of Paris
Confirmed U.S. independence
Set boundaries – Atlantic
Ocean to Miss. River,
Canada to Florida border

5. War is a Symbol of Liberty
Rise in egalitarianism
Belief in the equality of all people
Ability, effort and virtue defined people, not wealth or family background
Applied only to
white males
Uncertainty for
Native Americans

6. Republic? Gov’t in which citizens rule through elected representatives
Fear of giving power to uneducated masses

7. Articles of Confederation
Set up by 2nd Continental Congress
Articles = set of laws
Established a confederation (alliance) among the 13 states
Congress
1 vote per state regardless of population
Powers divided between states and national gov’t
Power to declare war, make peace, sign treaties
Borrow money
Set standards for coins, weights and measures
Postal service
Approved by all 13 states – March 1781
Northwest Ordinance
3-5 states in NW territory, requirements for admission

8. Weaknesses of Articles
Shays’ Rebellion
Congress could not enact and collect taxes
Each state had only 1 vote
9 of 13 states in agreement to pass important laws
Could amend Articles only if all states approved
No executive branch to enforce laws of Congress
No national court system to settle legal disputes
13 separate states lacking national unity

9. Need for a New Government
Constitutional Convention called in Philadelphia, May 1787
Needed stronger central gov’t
Decided to form an entirely new gov’t
Major issue = representation

10. Virginia Plan V. New Jersey Plan
Proposed by James Madison
Bicameral (two-house)
legislature
Membership based on state
population
Gave more power to states with large population
New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Paterson
Single house congress
Each state had equal vote

11. Great Compromise Deadlocked debate led to suggestion…
Two house Congress to satisfy small and large states
Senate (upper house)
2 reps regardless of population
House of Representatives (lower house)
# of reps determined by population
Three-Fifths compromise for slaves

12. Division & Separation of Powers
Federalism: power divided between nat’l and state gov’ts
National powers – delegated and enumerated
Foreign affairs, trade regulation
State powers – reserved
Education supervision
Checks and Balances
Legislative, executive, judicial branches
Electoral college
Constitution can be amended w/ ratification