1. 1 State Constitutions and the Articles of Confederation

2. 2 The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. It created a loose confederation of independent states that gave limited powers to a central government. It created a loose confederation of independent states that gave limited powers to a central government. The national government would consist of a single house of Congress, where each state would have one vote. The national government would consist of a single house of Congress, where each state would have one vote. There was no independent executive and no veto of legislation. There was no independent executive and no veto of legislation. Judicial proceedings in each state were to be honored by all other states. Judicial proceedings in each state were to be honored by all other states. The federal government was plagued by several inherent defects with the Articles of Confederation, the biggest issue was the inability to regulate trade and levy taxes. The federal government was plagued by several inherent defects with the Articles of Confederation, the biggest issue was the inability to regulate trade and levy taxes.

3. 3 Annapolis Convention Some Americans began contemplating radical changes because they were unhappy with the impotence of the Articles of Confederation. Some Americans began contemplating radical changes because they were unhappy with the impotence of the Articles of Confederation. The Annapolis Convention was organized to address issues related to commerce. The Annapolis Convention was organized to address issues related to commerce. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton used the meeting to advocate a new form of federal government. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton used the meeting to advocate a new form of federal government. The Maryland State House above was the site of the Annapolis Convention

4. 4 The Federalist Papers The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 articles arguing for the ratification of the United States Constitution. The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 articles arguing for the ratification of the United States Constitution. They were first published serially from October 1787 to August 1788 in New York City newspapers. They were first published serially from October 1787 to August 1788 in New York City newspapers. Alexander Hamilton was their principle author, with assistance from James Madison and John Jay. Alexander Hamilton was their principle author, with assistance from James Madison and John Jay. Federalist No. 10 and Federalist No. 51 are generally regarded as the most influential of the 85 articles; Federalist No. 10 and Federalist No. 51 are generally regarded as the most influential of the 85 articles; 10 advocates for a large, strong republic and includes discussion on factions, 10 advocates for a large, strong republic and includes discussion on factions, 51 explains the need for separation of powers. 51 explains the need for separation of powers.

5. 5 The Virginia Plan James Madison argued that no confederacy could endure if it acted upon states only and not directly upon individuals. James Madison argued that no confederacy could endure if it acted upon states only and not directly upon individuals. He outlined a new system of government, the basis of the "Virginia Plan" presented in the convention by Edmund Jennings Randolph. He outlined a new system of government, the basis of the "Virginia Plan" presented in the convention by Edmund Jennings Randolph. That Madison and Randolph were able to enter the Constitutional Convention with a plan of government conferred an enormous political advantage. That Madison and Randolph were able to enter the Constitutional Convention with a plan of government conferred an enormous political advantage. The Virginia Plan became the basis for the early debate on a new structure of government. The Virginia Plan became the basis for the early debate on a new structure of government. James Madison

6. 6 Original 13 States

7. 7 Media Citations Slide 2: http://www.lewrockwell.com/jarvis/signing.jpg Slide 2: http://www.lewrockwell.com/jarvis/signing.jpg http://www.lewrockwell.com/jarvis/signing.jpg Slide 3: http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/consti tution/images/fig7.jpg Slide 3: http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/consti tution/images/fig7.jpg http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/consti tution/images/fig7.jpg http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/consti tution/images/fig7.jpg Slide 4: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Image s/federalist.jpg Slide 4: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Image s/federalist.jpg http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Image s/federalist.jpg http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Image s/federalist.jpg Slide 5: http://www.columbia.edu/itc/law/witt/images/lect9/ fx04_james_madison_2.jpg Slide 5: http://www.columbia.edu/itc/law/witt/images/lect9/ fx04_james_madison_2.jpg http://www.columbia.edu/itc/law/witt/images/lect9/ fx04_james_madison_2.jpg http://www.columbia.edu/itc/law/witt/images/lect9/ fx04_james_madison_2.jpg Slide 6: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepher d/united_states_1783_1803.jpg Slide 6: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepher d/united_states_1783_1803.jpg http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepher d/united_states_1783_1803.jpg http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepher d/united_states_1783_1803.jpg