amp The Constitution The central fact of the Articles was that they established a form of government in which Americans were citizens of their own states first and the United States second ID: 441567
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "The Articles of Confederation" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
The Articles of Confederation&The Constitution
The central fact of the Articles was that they "established a form of government in which Americans were citizens of their own states first and the United States second." Slide2
Articles of ConfederationWar time documentCreated in November 1777
Plan for a loose union of the states“League of Friendship”
Established a
very
weak central governmentSlide3
Articles of ConfederationWeaknessesCongress had no power to tax
That power belonged to the states
Congress had no power to enforce treaties, regulate interstate commerce, or create trade agreements
No Executive Branch
No Judicial Branch
Amendments required unanimous vote of states
Weak Army
Weakish Navy
Problems CreatedWeak currency and growing debtInability to pay federal army or just run the gov’tForeign nations did not trust USA because the national Congress had no controlTrade suffers with the BritishSpanish shut down New Orleans and Mississippi River to the USEach state is creating it’s own currencyStates are slapping tariffs on one anotherNo leader for the country to represent the countryNo way of settling the legality of laws or settling disputes with statesNew York and New Jersey nearly went to war with one anotherNearly impossible to make changesBritish maintained forts in American territory and incited Native AmericansVermont ExampleNorth African pirates captured American ships for ransomSlide4Slide5
Shay’s Rebellion, 1786-1787…Economic CrisisStates were beginning to act like independent nations
RecessionRepressive taxes lead to Shays Rebellion
Farmers could not handle high taxes
Open war between farmers and the federal government
Annapolis Convention is called as a result of the Rebellion
Only 5 states send delegates
A future convention is scheduledSlide6
A Convention is CalledJames Madison: Father of the ConstitutionMadison is concerned, and convinces the state of Virginia to call for a convention
Alexander Hamilton (NY) agrees and calls for a meeting in Philadelphia…May 1787
James Madison
Alexander HamiltonSlide7
The Constitutional Convention Founding FathersEvery state but Rhode Island sends delegates
55 in allMost were lawyers
Incredible talent mostly…
8 were signers of Declaration of Independence
George Washington was chosen as the Presiding Officer
Meetings were closed to publicSlide8
Instant DisagreementCurrentlyUnder Articles of Confederation each state had one vote
Big states hated this/Small states loved itTwo plans were proposed at the Convention
1
st
the Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan was a response…Slide9
Virginia PlanGive the Articles of Confederation the bootThe Virginia Plan- written by Madison
Bicameral Legislature- ProportionalUpper House- Senate
Based on population
Elected by State Legislatures
Lower House- House of Representatives
Based on population
Elected directly by the people
Virginia Plan draws outrage from the small statesSmall states respond with the New Jersey PlanSlide10
New Jersey PlanBasically strengthen the Articles of ConfederationChanges
Make the central government strongerGive powers not originally given
Tax and regulate trade
Create a unicameral legislature
Each state was represented equally
Not proportional
Slide11
The Great Compromise3 Branches of GovernmentExecutive
Legislature- BicameralUpper House: Senate
Each state had two representatives
Lower House: House of Representatives
Based on population
Judicial Slide12Slide13
Fear of the Common ManIndirect election of SenatorsIndirect election of the President (Electoral College)
Judges appointed for life
The typical Americans were allowed to have a direct voice in 1/2 of the branches of gov’t!Slide14Slide15
Yeah or Nay Slide16
Further Compromise3/5 CompromiseQuestion came up
How to count slaves???Southern states wanted to count slaves as citizens
90% of slaves lived in Maryland, Virginia, North & South Carolina, and Georgia
Slaves made up 30% of southern population
Northern states thought that was absurd since slaves were in no way citizens
Every 5 slaves would equal 3 people
South compromises by committing to end the slave trade by 1808Slide17
Did the Founding Fathers make a tragic mistakeShould slavery have been outlawed at the convention???Realistic or Unrealistic
What do you think???