1. Chapter 5: Creating The Constitution
Chapter 5 Section 1: A Confederation of States

2. Chapter 5 Vocabulary (Part I)
Republic
Unicameral Legislature
Bicameral Legislature
Articles of Confederation
Federal
Shays’ Rebellion
Northwest Territory
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Land Ordinance Act of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787

3. Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
Ratification
Federalist
Antifederalist
Bill of Rights
Popular Sovereignty
Electoral College
John Jay
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
Chapter 5 Vocabulary
Part II

4. People
John Jay- Strong federal government to protect the Union from foreign force and influence
Alexander Hamilton- Believed the new government should have a mix of aristocracy and monarchy principles as well as republicanism
James Madison- A large republic would benefit the common good

5. Objectives
Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals.
Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.
Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands.
List the main weaknesses of the Articles.

6. Terms and People
republic – a government in which the people elect their representatives
unicameral legislature – a lawmaking body with a single house whose representatives are elected by the people
bicameral legislature – a lawmaking body with two houses, a Senate and a House of Representatives
Articles of Confederation – the original federal constitution drafted by the Continental Congress

7. Terms and People (continued)
John Dickinson – a member of the Continental Congress and leader of the committee that wrote The Articles of Confederation
federal – national
Northwest Territory – vast territory north of Ohio and west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River, which was key to expanding the republic
Land Ordinance of 1785 – plan to dispense and distribute public land in the Northwest Territory

8. Terms and People (continued)
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – plan for governing and creating new states carved out of the Northwest Territory
Shays’ Rebellion – an uprising of armed farmers marching on a federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts, in protest against higher taxes

9. What were the pros and cons of America’s earliest government?
The Patriots didn’t want Congress to have too much power. Most authority remained with the states.
But strong state governments and a weak national government led to problems.

10. Congress encouraged the former colonies to create state constitutions.
Each state constitution provided for a republic where people voted for their representatives.
Patriots feared too much power given to common people

11. Democratic Patriots like Thomas Paine wanted more power for common people.
They favored:
weak state governments
unicameral (1 house) legislature with a weak governor or none at all.
a large House of Representatives with small districts so that the people had more control.

12. Conservative Patriots like John Adams wanted less power for common people.
They favored:
a powerful governor.
bicameral legislature (2 houses).
an upper house or senate with wealthy, well-educated gentlemen and a lower house elected by the common people.

13. There was also debate over who should vote.
Democratic states like Pennsylvania allowed all male taxpayers over age 21 to vote.
Conservative states preserved colonial requirements of property ownership for voting.

14. Most new state constitutions guaranteed freedom of religion.
Previously, colonies collected taxes for religious institutions.
Now, religious freedom and pluralism became the norm.
The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom set the example. It allowed for religious liberty free of state influence.

15. The Articles of Confederation was created by the Continental Congress.
This 1st national constitution created a loose confederation or league of states.
Congress drafted the Articles under John Dickinson of Pennsylvania.
Congress’s power was limited to prevent the problems experienced under Britain.

16. With the Articles, government power was limited.
Congress implemented and enforced laws.
Executive power was shared by committees.
Each state had one vote in Congress.
Minor issues were passed by a simple majority. Major issues, like declaring war, required 9 states.
Amendments: all 13 states must agree.

17. Congress had a limited role.
Congress could:
Congress could not:
Declare war or conduct foreign policy.
Tax
Administer relations with Indian nations.
Regulate commerce between states or states and foreign nations
There was also no federal court system.

18. The Articles created a method to settle and govern the Northwest Territory.

19. The Land Ordinance of 1785 established a method to distribute public land.
Many farmers couldn’t afford the $1 an acre, and some land speculators got special deals.

20. Land Surveyors
Surveyors divided the territory into a N-S and E-W grid to establish hundreds of townships.
Each township was subdivided into one square mile (640 acre) squares to sell at $1 each.

21. The Land Ordinance of 1785 grid system is still evident today.

22. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set up a system to govern territories and create states.
Congress established a territorial government and appointed a governor.
Settlers were guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and rights of common law.

23. Once there were 5,000 men, an assembly could be elected
Once there were 5,000 men, an assembly could be elected. The appointed governor retained veto power.
Once there were 60,000 residents, a territory could apply for statehood.
It abandoned the British model of keeping colonies permanently subordinate.

24. The Northwest Ordinance:
barred slavery.
required a republican constitution.
promised settlers basic freedoms.
ignored the rights of Native Americans.
resulted in 5 new states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota.

25. European nations did not take the new nation seriously.
Britain denied American ships access to the British West Indies and the right to export goods to Britain on American ships.
Spain forbade American trade with New Orleans.
Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located in the Northwest Territory.

26. Spain threatened to forbid the shipment of goods through New Orleans.
Britain denied American ships access to the British West Indies and the right to export goods to Britain on American ships.
Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located in the Northwest Territory.

27. Articles of Confederation problems:
The nation’s debt was mounting.
The economic depression: debts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures grew.
Shays’ Rebellion demonstrated the Federal government’s weakness.
Foreign nations didn’t respect the U.S.

28. Section 1 Assessment
Why did people favor a bicameral legislature? (Pg )
What was the structure of the new government under the Articles? (Pg. 136)
What were plans for settling and governing the Northwest Territory under the Articles? (Pg )
What was the significance of Shays’ Rebellion? (Pg )

29. Power would be more fairly distributed between wealthy & common people
Each state kept its own sovereignty but worked together with other states
Land Ordinance of 1785 helped to distribute land
It showed weaknesses in the Articles and showed the need for change