A R T I C L E S O F C O N F E D E R AT I O N & T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N

THE CRITICAL PERIOD

OVERVIEW

During the Constitutional Era, the Americans made two attempts to establish a workable government based on republican principles. 1) The Articles of Confederation

2) The Constitution When the Colonies achieved their independence, the

question that everyone was asking was, “What kind of government should we have?”

 Most people still referred to their states when asked what country they were from.

 Some people suggested that Washington become King of the US, but Washington refused to be seen as another monarch.

Few people wanted a strong National government. They did not want a government like Parliament.

THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

In 1777, the Continental Congress created the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (which was approved in 1781) which created a Central National (or Federal) Government

The ARTICLES OF CONFEDERARTION would be the predecessor to the Constitution and the US would be governed by these for the first few years of existence.

 

WHAT THE AOC SAID

legislative

tax

war

representatives(to

Congress) one

PROBLEMS WITH THE AOC

Size or population

taxes(between the states)enforc

e

judicial

alliance

• Biggest Problem: States had more power than the national government

SHAYS’ REBELLION“Common” (poor)Paper money

stronger

taxes

Coin money

Causes of the Revolution

Boston

Articles of Confederation

State of MA

strong

by Alexander Hamilton & James Madison

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Philadelphia

55 12 Rhode Island

fatherJames Madison

George Washington

keepRewrite the ArticlesVirginia Plan

THE CONSTITUTION IS BUILT ON COMPROMISE

Two (bicameral)

One (unicameral)

bicameral

Based on a state’s population

Equal representation

One house= equalOne House= populationPeople have

a popular vote

State gov’ts choose

House of Reps= popular vote; Senate= state gov’ts chooseJames Madison

(VA)William Patterson(NJ)

This plan was supposed to benefit BIG states with lots of people like Virginia

This plan was just like the AOC and was supposed to benefit SMALL states like NJ

It balanced the interests of big and small states, creating a strong national government with more power than the states

THE GREAT COMPROMISE

Roger Sherman

Ben Franklin

Each state got equal representation (2 people& 2 votes. Senators were chosen by state legislatures.

Each state gets representation based on itsPopulation. The people popularly elect members of the

House 9/01/1787

THE 3/5 COMPROMISE

3/5 (60%)

Freedom or the right to vote

1) They worried the North would end slavery2) Counting slaves in their population gave them more power

in Congress

9/17/1787

FEDERALISM: POWER TO GOVERN IS DIVIDED BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AND STATE GOV’TS

SEPARATION OF POWERS/CHECKS & BALANCES

Divisions/Separation of power

3

checks & balances

elections

upper

lower

Electoral College

electors

RATIFICATION DEBATE

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

James Madison

Creates idea of “judicial review” = only the Supreme Court (national gov’t) can declare laws to be unconstitutional

The Supreme Court said that states can’t tax the national gov’t because the “power to tax is the power to destroy”

States cannot regulate trade between the states. Only the national gov’t can deal with interstate trade.