American Revolution

8.1 The Articles of Confederation

The Constitution

• CONSTITUTION– Set of basic principles and laws that give the

government authority

• REPUBLICANISM– Citizens elect representatives who are

responsible to the people

• LIMITED GOVERNMENT– Leaders obey laws with no one having total

power.

• Most state constitutions protected the people’s rights

• These rights included freedom of the press and private ownership of land.

• SUFFRAGE– Voting rights– Most states had different laws on voting– Some allowed free African Americans to votes.

Forming a Union• A national government was

needed to hold the country together

• Some felt this government would be too powerful

• ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION– New central government…it had

problems• No president

– Congress could not tax or get soldiers from the states

• It takes 5 years to get state approval.

• The new government has to deal with lands in the west and how to pay for the war.

• Land is sold for money• THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE

– Plan for forming governments in the new land• Get 60,000 people and you can draft a constitution• You can then ask to come into the union• No slavery allowed.

American Revolution

8.2 Problems in the New Nation

• Other countries take advantage of the U.S. because we have no army

• Spain closed the Mississippi river and England refuses to leave

• England closed its ports to American ships and forces them to pay heavy tariffs.

• The congress could not tax British imports

• The British went form state to state negotiating to get the best deal.

• INTERSTATE COMMERCE– Trade between states-could not be controlled

• INFLATION– Increased prices and a reduced value of money– Large amount of money was produced but had almost

no value

• DEPRESSION– A period of low economic activity combined with a rise

in unemployment.

Shay’s Rebellion• Poor farmers in

Massachusetts were losing their farms because of debt

• Shay and his men shut down the courts

• He is finally defeated in battle

• The Rebellion showed how weak the national government was.

A Push for Change

• A meeting of the states is called for, but only five states send representatives.

• Another call goes out for a Constitutional convention in Philadelphia.

American Revolution

8.3 The Constitution

The Constitutional Convention• 12 states send

representative to Philadelphia

• Most were well educated.

• They include Washington, Franklin, and James Madison

• No women, slaves, or Indians were invited.

The Great Compromise

• Some wanted small changes to the Articles while others want something brand new

• How strong should the government be, slavery, and state representation were hot topics

The Virginia Plan

• A strong central government

• Three branches-Executive, Judicial, and Legislative

• A two house legislature

• State representatives would be based on the state’s population

New Jersey Plan

• Called for each state to have one vote

• Called for the government to have the power to tax and regulate trade.

Great Compromise

• Votes in the House of Reps. Are based on the state’s population

• Each state gets tow votes in the Senate

The Three Fifths Compromise

• Southern state want their slaves counted in the population for votes, not taxes

• They decide to count 3/5 to determine representation

• They also decide to wait 20 years to make a decision on slavery.

Our Living Constitution

• FEDERALISM– Sharing power between a central government

and the states

• States control local government, education, local law, and the welfare of their people

• The federal government may use the military under control of the president.

Our Government

• LEGISLATIVE BRANCH– Propose and pass laws and is made up of two houses

• EXECUTIVE BRANCH– Makes sure laws are enforced and is made up of the

president an the departments that run the government• JUDICIAL BRANCH

– Interpret laws, punish criminals, and settle disputes between states.

– Made up of courts• CHECKS AND BALANCES

– Keeps any branch from become too powerful.

Our Government

• IT TOOK 16 WEEKS OF DEBATE TO COME UP WITH THE CONSTITUTION.

American Revolution

8.4 Ratification of the Constitution

Federalists VS Ant federalists

• ANTIFEDERALIST– Those against the constitution– Many felt the government would be too

powerful– It also lacked a bill of rights

• FEDERALISTS– They believe the constitution offers a good

balance of power

The Ratification Fight

• It takes almost 2 ½ years to ratify the constitution.

• It took 9 states to pass it and all 13 for it to go into effect.

Demand for a Bill of Rights

• Several states ratified the constitution with a promise of a bill of rights.

• The first ten amendments to the US constitution are the BILL OF RIGHTS.

• THE US CONSTITUTION IS THE WORLD’S OLDEST NATIONAL

CONSTITUTION!!!!