the articles of confederation and the constitutional convention 1781 - 1788

The Articles of Confederation

andthe

Constitutional Convention

1781 - 1788

Weaknesses of the Articles

• No power to tax• No regulation of trade• No executive branch• No national courts• Unanimous vote for amendments• Only one vote per state (equal power)• 9/13 to pass laws• “league of friendship”• States too powerful

Shays’ Rebellion 1786-87

• Farmers losing homes• Unresponsive Mass. Legis.• High property taxes• High interest rates• Foreclosure sales• Farmers closed down courts• Plans to take weapons arsenal• Guilty of TREASON ..• Pardoned• Need for stronger (new) govt.

Successes of the Articles

• LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785– TOWNSHIPS 6 x 6 MILES– $1 PER ACRE– MONEY FOR EDUCATION

• NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787– ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT– 5 STATES (INCLUDING ILLINOIS)– NO SLAVERY ALLOWED

Land Ordinance of 1785

Northwest Territory of 1787

The Constitutional Convention

• To REVISE the Articles• Summer of 1787 (Philadelphia)• Secret meetings• George Washington- President• James Madison- main writer• Ben Franklin- oldest – glue – wit and humor• John Adams and T. Jeffferson absent

• "Remember, that time is money.”

"If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty."

"Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

"A penny saved is a penny earned."

"Fish and visitors smell in three days."

"Genius without education is like silver in the mine."

"Haste makes waste."

"He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing."

Virginia Plan

• Madison’s proposal• Large state plan• Bicameral legislature

–Representation based on population–Assembly elected by people–Senate chosen by Assembly

more on the VA Plan

• The legislature was very powerful • An executive to ensure the will of the legislature

was carried out, and was so chosen by the legislature

• Formation of a judiciary, with life-terms of service • The executive and some of the national judiciary

would have the power to veto legislation, subject to override

• National veto power over any state legislation

New Jersey Plan• Small state plan• Unicameral legislature• Equal representation for

states

Hamilton’s Plan• A bicameral legislature • The lower house, the Assembly, was elected by the people

for three year terms • The upper house, the Senate, elected by electors chosen by

the people, and with a life-term of service • An executive called the Governor, elected by electors and

with a life-term of service • The Governor had an absolute veto over bills • A judiciary, with life-terms of service • State governors appointed by the national legislature • National veto power over any state legislation

Great Compromise

• BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE• SENATE – 2 PER STATE• HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES–# Reps. based on population–Minimum of 1 Rep.

Three-fifths Compromise• How should slaves be counted for

population purposes?– SOUTH: count all– NORTH: don’t count

• 5 slaves = 3 people• DO THE MATH:

– 1000 SLAVES = ???? PEOPLE

– 25,000 SLAVES = ???? PEOPLE

The debate begins• 9 states had to approve Constitution • Two opposing groups:

– Federalists (supporters of strong Constitution)– Anti-Federalists (against ratification)

• NOT ENOUGH POWER FOR STATES• FED. GOVT. TOO STRONG• FEARED TAXATION POWER OF FED. GOVT.• NO “BILL OF RIGHTS”• WRITTEN BY THE WELL-TO-DO• FAVORED NORTHEASTERN STATES (TARIFFS)

• 9 states ratified by 1788• All states by 1790