u.s. history and constitution

Christian Hice

EQ: How did the U.S. Constitution address the weaknesses of our government under the Articles of Confederation?

Land Ordinance of 1785- organized and sold federal lands for much needed revenue. It also set aside land for education.

Northwest Ordinance- set the procedure for territories becoming states.

Virginia Plan- proposed a bicameral (two house) legislature based on population.

New Jersey Plan- proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation.

Great Compromise- set up the legislative system we have today.

Three-Fifths Compromise- counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation.

Bill of Rights- first ten Constitutional amendments

• Setup our nation’s first central government

• A loose union of independent states

• National government had limited powers

• Each state largely retained their independence

• National government had little power

• Government could not…1) tax 2) raise an army3) regulate commerce

• No executive branch or judicial system

• Weak government caused internal dissent

• Congress had the power to…1) Make treaties2) Coin money3) Appoint army officers4) Establish a post office

• Overall, Congressional power was very limited.

• People remembered the tyranny of Britain

• Made them fear a strong government

• Winning the Revolutionary War

• Land Ordinance of 1785

• Northwest Ordinance of 1787

• Common cause kept the government together.

• Problems arose after the Revolution ended.

Lieutenant Daniel Shays, leader of Shays’ Rebellion

• Rebellion began in Massachusetts in 1787.

• Led by Lieutenant Daniel Shays

• Rebels were mostly farmers or ex-soldiers.

• Protested high taxes and high debt

• Took one year to stop the rebellion

• People realized weaknesses of the Articles

Washington addresses the delegates at the Constitutional Convention

• Met in Philadelphia to revise Articles

• Ended up drafting a new Constitution

• Created a strong executive branch

• Created an independent federal judiciary• Gave Congress the

power to…1) tax2) raise an army3) regulate trade

Roger Sherman, the architect of the Great Compromise

• Delegates fought over representation in Congress

• Virginia vs. New Jersey Plan

• Virginia Plan favored large populous states

• New Jersey Plan favored small states

• Roger Sherman devises the Great Compromise

• Blended Virginia and New Jersey Plans

• Three-Fifths Compromise deals with slavery

Alexander Hamilton, a prominent Federalist

• Federalists supported the new Constitution.

• Favored a strong central (national) government

• Madison and Hamilton were prominent Federalists.

• Opposed the new Constitution

• Feared a strong government

• Favored a Bill of Rights• Wanted protection of

individual liberties

• Approval was an uphill battle.

• Required 9 out of 13 states

• New York and Virginia held out

• Also wanted a Bill of RightsThe U.S. Constitution

• Federalists eventually agreed to their demands.

• Constitution was finally ratified in 1791.

http://reviewgamezone.com/games/supershooter/index.php?5627&title=Articles%20Of%20Confederation&id=5627

Standard USHC-1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the conflicts between regional and national interest in the development of democracy in the United States.

USHC-1.4: Analyze how dissatisfactions with the government under the Articles of Confederation were addressed with the writing of the Constitution of 1787, including the debates and compromises reached at the Philadelphia Convention and the ratification of the Constitution.

1) Articles of Confederation Picture: http://journal.borderlands.com/ 2) Articles Political Cartoon: http://www.milanareaschools.org/3) Land Ordinance Picture: http://www.earnst.net/ 4) Daniel Shay’s Picture: http://campbell-hist.wikispaces.com/ 5) Constitutional Convention Picture: http://www.weeklystandard.com/

6) Roger Sherman Picture: http://noliesradio.org/ 7) Picture of Alexander Hamilton: http://viciously-sweet.com/ 8) Bill of Rights Picture: http://teapartywpbfl.wordpress.com/ 9) Ratification Picture: http://www.theculturewatch.com/