Transcript Unit I lesson 1 AP govt

Articles of Confederation
v.
The Constitution
AP Government
Unit I
Lesson 1
Objective:
What flaws existed in the Articles and
how were they addressed by the
Constitution?
I.

The Foundations of the
Articles of Confederation
Government structure
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Powers of Congress
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Congress was the sole body created
Delegates were chosen by the states in any manner they
wanted
Make war and peace
Send and receive ambassadors
Make treaties
Borrow money
State Obligations
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Would provide support and funding for congress
II. Weaknesses of the Articles
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One vote for each state, regardless of size
Congress was powerless to collect taxes or duties
Congress was unable to control foreign or interstate
commerce
No national court system
Amendments were only passed will 100% consent
of the states
A 9/13 or nearly a 70% majority was required to
pass laws
Articles were a “league of friendship among the
states”
III. Issues leading to conflict
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Shay’s Rebellion
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Western Massachusetts 1786
Local leaders led by Daniel Shays’ revolted and
attacked a federal arsenal in response to
economic chaos
Shays was ultimately pardoned in 1788
Trade Disputes
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Maryland and Virginia ignored the suggestions of
Congress and were entrenched in trade disputes
This was common for many of the state issues
IV. The Revision
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The Miracle in Philadelphia
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Virginia Plan
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Bicameral Legislature; House representation was to be based on population;
Senate representation was to be equal; Congress would have power to lay and
collect taxes
3/5’s Compromise
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Small state plan; representation was to be equal; unicameral legislature; limited the
power of Congress to tax; more than one executive
Connecticut “Great” Compromise
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large state plan; representation based on population; bicameral legislature; three
branch government; House is popularly elected, Senators were to be chosen by
the House
New Jersey Plan
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Summer of 1787
Dealt with the debate over whether slaves, who were not considered citizens,
should be counted towards population in determining representation in the House
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
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Slave trade would not be discussed for 20 years
Congress could not tax the export of goods from any state
V. The Constitution compared to the
Articles of Confederation
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Formal name of the nation
Articles: The United States of America
Constitution: (not specified, but referred to in the Preamble as "the United States of
America")
Legislature
Articles: Unicameral, called Congress
Constitution: Bicameral, called Congress, divided into the House of Representatives and
the Senate
Members of Congress
Articles: Between two and seven members per state
Constitution: Two Senators per state, Representatives apportioned according to
population of each state
Voting in Congress
Articles: One vote per state
Constitution: One vote per Representative or Senator
Appointment of members
Articles: All appointed by state legislatures, in the manner each legislature directed
Constitution: Representatives elected by popular vote, Senators appointed by state
legislatures
Term of legislative office
Articles: One year
Constitution: Two years for Representatives, six for Senators
V. The Constitution compared to the
Articles of Confederation cont…
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Term limit for legislative office
Articles: No more than three out of every six years
Constitution: None
Executive
Articles: None
Constitution: President
Adjudicator of disputes between states
Articles: Congress
Constitution: Supreme Court
Taxes
Articles: Apportioned by Congress, collected by the states
Constitution: Laid and collected by Congress
Ratification
Articles: Unanimous consent required
Constitution: Consent of nine states required