Transcript New Governments

Urge for Self Government
Urge for Self Government
• New Hampshire will
become the colony to
organize as a “state”.
• They created a
“constitution” for
their new state
months before
independence was
declared.
Urge for Self Government
• A “constitution” is
a detailed, written
plan for government.
• By 1780, the
remaining colonies
also followed their
lead.
New Governments
• These early governments
created legislatures to
create laws.
• Ex: House of Burgesses
• Most were “bicameral”,
meaning they were
divided into TWO
houses or parts.
New Governments
• Each state had a
governor who was
elected by the
legislature or the
people.
• The governors were
to carry out the laws.
New Governments
• Finally, a system
of judges and
courts were
created.
• The courts were to
interpret the laws
and decide how
they should be
applied.
Massachusetts???
• Split power among 3
branches. (Legislative,
Executive, and Judicial.)
• Governor could “check”
power of legislature.
• State constitution created
by elected delegates, then
approved by citizens.
Revolutionary War
Revolutionary War
• In 1783, the “United
States” defeats Great
Britain after 7 years
of war.
• The “Treaty of
Paris” ends the
conflict.
• The new Congress
found itself deep in
debt (as did the
states).
Need for Unity
Need for Unity
• If the colonies were to
be successful against
Great Britain, it was
imperative that they
stand united.
• 13 separate states
would be easily
conquered by Britain.
“Articles of Confederation”
“Articles of Confederation”
• The “Articles of
Confederation” was
the first attempt at a
constitution for the
United States.
• A “confederation” is
a group of individuals
(or governments) who
band together for a
common purpose.
Problems Quickly Begin!
Where to Start?
• Colonial experiences
under Great Britain
had created a fear of
unlimited
government.
• They knew that had to
create a limited
government.
Problems Quickly Begin!
• The “Articles of
Confederation”
created a one house
legislature, with each
state having one vote.
• BUT, it had no power
to enforce laws or
collect taxes!
Problems Quickly Begin!
• 1781, all 13 states had
“ratified”, or
approved, the
constitution.
• But to pass any laws,
9 of the 13 states had
to agree.
• To “amend”, or
change, any parts
required a unanimous
vote!
More Problems!
• The states began
having more power
than the central
government.
• The main criticism of
the Articles of
Confederation was
that it failed to
provide adequate
powers for the central
gov’t
Shay’s Rebellion (1786-1787)
Shay’s Rebellion (1786-1787)
• In Massachusetts, a
farmer named Daniel
Shay led over 1,200
farmers on a raid
against a federal
arsenal.
• Shay was protesting
the seizure of his
farm by the
government.
Return to Philadelphia
• After the rebellion,
12 states agreed to
return to Philadelphia
to revise the “Articles
of Confederation”.
• Their goal was to
create a stronger
central government.