Articles of Confederation

Adopted in 1777 Peace in 1783 One-House Congress (unicameral) One vote per state

◦ 9/13 majority to pass a law◦ Unanimous to amend Articles

No Executive No Judicial

Articles of Confederation 1781-1787

War Treaties Send Diplomats Borrow $

Not to tax, regulate commerce, enforce laws

Articles of Confederation Powers

Won the War Land Ordinance of 1785

◦ Survey and Settle west◦ Public Education

Northwest Ordinance of 1787◦ Rule for creating new states◦ Self-government of territories

Accomplishments

States didn’t obey Treaty of Paris – bad European relations

Britain on the frontier Nonpayment of war debts No taxes Worthless currency States competed over trade and boundaries

Problems

Shays’ Rebellion - Mass. Farmers/Veterans demanded cheap paper

money, lower taxes, no property takeover Wealthy citizens raised an army Multiple skirmishes Leaders sentenced to death Shays pardoned

Rebellions ‘R’ U.S.

"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing.... It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government.... God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion.. . . The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

Who Said It?

55 White Males Most were lawyers or manufacturers, wealthy,

owned land and slaves, 50% were lenders, 40 held government bonds

Most had interest in strong central government◦ manufacturers needed protective tariffs; ◦ lenders wanted no paper money to pay off debts; ◦ land speculators wanted protection; as they invaded

Indian lands ◦ Slave owners needed federal security against slave

revolts◦ bondholders wanted a government able to raise money

by nationwide taxation

Constitutional Convention

George Washington was chairperson Ben Franklin was eldest Specific articles by James Madison,

Alexander Hamilton

Not there: John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine.

Not invited: Samuel Adams, John Hancock Refused invite: Patrick Henry

Household Names

Representation◦ Per state or Per Person?◦ Great Comprimise

Slavery◦ Not legality for 20 years, but population◦ 3/5 compromise

Trade◦ North – Central gov. should regulate interstate

and foreign trade◦ South – Export taxes would hurt agriculture◦ Commercial Compromise – Could tax imports but

not exports

Issues Overview

“The people should have as little to do as may be about the government, they [lack] information and are constantly liable to be mislead” – Mr. Sherman

“The true question at present is whether the Southern states shall or shall not be parties to the Union” – Mr. Rutledge

“Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors I sacrifice to the public good” – Ben Franklin

Notable Quotables

In Federalist Paper #10 - James Madison argued that representative government was needed to maintain peace in a society ridden by factional disputes. ◦ The problem was how to control the struggles that came from inequalities in

wealth. So the real problem, according to Madison, was a majority faction

◦ Solution was offered by the Constitution, to have "an extensive republic," that is, a large nation ranging over thirteen states, for then "it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other.... The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States."

Is it the aim of government simply to maintain order, as a referee, between two equally matched fighters?

Is it that government has some special interest in maintaining a certain kind of order, a certain distribution of power and wealth, a distribution in which government officials are not neutral referees but participants?

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

For◦ Americans fought to escape tyranny

Against ◦ People were representatives◦ Better to assume all rights than specific rights

Arguments For and Against the Bill of Rights