Transcript Day 6 and 7
Warm-Up The English constitution was not a written document—it was more informal. When the time came for the Americans to draft their own constitution, they decided they needed a written constitution. Why do you think a written constitution seemed like a good idea? Articles of Confederation Finding an Identity American Identity The former colonist were now Americans. A sense of nationalism swept through the country after the American Revolution. – Americans were now face with creating a lasting society. Public Schooling Public Schooling was prominently in the North. – Originally students were taught to read the Bible, now this expanded to many subjects In South, only the rich could read and write. – For impoverished people, it was not important to read and write since their lives revolved around working and hunting. Birth of a Nation 13 colonies were now the 13 states. – Favored strong state rights with weak federal government. • Fear of a possible monarchy • Continental Congress created the Articles of Confederation in 1781. Articles of Confederation Confederation- group of individual states, who band together for a common purpose. Articles of Confederation became the United States’ first constitution. – Created a system of cooperation between the 13 states. Division of Powers One-house-legislature – Each state had one vote • Could control military • And deal with foreign countries No courts or figurehead Federal Government could not: – Enforce laws • Had to have 9 state votes to create laws • Amendment of laws took 13 state votes – Impose taxes • Could only ask states for money We’re for Real The Declaration of Independence didn’t make the Americans independent of Britain—they had to fight a war to gain independence. And after the war was over the Declaration of Independence didn’t earn United States automatic respect in the eyes of other nations. To become an official nation, the United States needed other countries to recognize it formally. What do you think were some of the obstacles the United States might have had to overcome in order to convince other countries that the new nation was for real? The Success of the Articles Northwest Ordinance – Ohio River Valley land gained in the Treaty of Paris 1783. – United States could now legally expand westward by the addition of new states, rather than extending old states. – Ohio River was the dividing line for slavery • Northwest Ordinance was the only success of the Articles of Confederation. Map of the Northwest Territory 1787 Testing the Articles…… The Revolutionary War left the country/states in serious debt. State governments taxed citizens heavily. – Forced farmers out of business • Caused resentment – Riots erupted in most states – Shays’ Rebellion in Massachusetts • Created a sense of urgency throughout the states for a tougher government. 6.) Shay’s Rebellion A.) In 1786, a Massachusetts farmer led a revolt to protest unfair state taxes. B.) Heavy state taxes impoverished many farmers and businesses which led to general public unrest. C.) 1,200 farmers participated in Shay’s Rebellion. The Governor had to call out the state militia to stop the rebellion. D.) Many feared that more violence would follow. E.) In 1787, the Constitutional Convention met to change or amend the Articles. Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 12 states sent delegates to Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. Two opposing views – Virginia Plan – New Jersey Plan Agreement among Delegates A strong central government with – Power to tax – Power to regulate commerce – Power to raise an army and require military service – A strong executive to lead the government – An easier amendment process Disagreement among Delegates Means for determining representation Slavery and Slave Trade Nature of the Executive Branch Virginia Plan Created by James Madison – Virginia Plan called for three branches of governments. • Legislative • Executive • Judicial – believed the larger (population) states should have more representatives. • Becomes House of Representatives New Jersey Plan June 15, 1787 Proposed by William Paterson Wanted 1 branch of Congress with equal representation. – Becomes model for US Senate. Connecticut Compromise Aka “The Great Compromise” A combination of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. – Issued by Roger Sherman – Created the bi-cameral legislature. DIAGRAM Compromise Leads to a Plan of Government PM TRANSPARENCY Progress Monitoring Transparency Three-Fifths Compromise More than 55,000 slaves in America (mostly in the south) – South wanted to include the slaves as people to increase power in the House of Representatives. – North opposed this idea because slaves were property and could not vote. They compromised – Said every 5 slaves would count as 3 free persons. • Thus the 3/5 Compromise More Compromises Commerce Compromise – Southern States feared Congress would tax on exports to foreign countries and within the states. • Southern economy depended heavily on the export of rice and tobacco. – The Compromise was: • Congress could regulate trade between states and other countries. In exchange, Congress could not tax exports. Slave Trade Compromise – Southern economy also depended heavily on slave trade. – South feared Congress would stop the slave trade. • Compromise: – Congress could not deal with the issue of slavery until 1808. • 1808, no more slaves could be imported into America. Slave auction in Md. Selecting the President: – Many delegates felt Congressman should pick the President. – Others felt, people should vote. The Solution: – The Electoral College • A group of people selected by the legislature to select the President and the Vice President. – Still used today, but the people select the legislatures. National Supremacy Established Elastic Clause ALLOWS CONGRESS TO PASS LAWS THAT ARE “NECESSARY AND PROPER” TO CARRY OUT POWERS ENUMERATED IN THE CONSTITUTION Supremacy Clause STATES THAT IN CONFLICTS BETWEEN NATIONAL AND STATE LAWS, NATIONAL LAW IS THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND Ratification Debate Federalists Supported Need for central government that was stronger than the states Belief that checks and balances would prevent abuses of power Anti Federalists Opposed Feared central government would take away all powers of states Feared central government would use power to abuse rights of people QUICK STUDY Principles of the Constitution