chapter 2.3 the first national government once independence is declared in america we have to set...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 2.3 The First National Government Once independence is
declared in America We have to set up
governments for our 13 new ‘states’
August, 1776 Each new state signed
new state constitutions for their people. Constitution
Basic set of laws and principles establishing a government
Structure of New State Constitutions State governments were very limited in
power No strong figure head as an executive
Most of the power was given to the legislative branch of the government
Elections were to be held every year
Why do you think they were set up this way?
Structure of Legislative Body in State Governments Most were bicameral
Had two houses in legislative bodies. Senate House of Representatives
Only Pennsylvania had a unicameral Had only 1 house in legislative body.
Rights given in State Constitutions Most had a list of
citizens rights outlined in their state constitutions. Included voting rights
for… White men only
American Revolution ends in 1781…now what?? In the same year the
war ended, the 13 states ratified the Articles of Confederation
Document bonding the 13 states together in order to maintain sovereignty
Powers listed in the Art. Of Confederation (AOC)
The legislative body (Congress) is most powerful! Why?
There is no executive or judicial branches!
Each state had 1 vote in Congress Majority vote decided action (7 votes) For serious decisions, 9 votes are needed
Waging war Sign treaties
For an amendment to the AOC All 13 states had to agree
All Powers given to Congress… Declare war
Conduct foreign policy
Borrow money
Establish state militias (military forces)
Settle arguments between states
Manage relations with Native Americans.
Limits on Power of Congress by AOC
No Executive branch No President
No federal Judicial branch Had to rely on state courts to punish citizens for federal laws
No federal officials to enforce law
No power to tax citizens How do they make money?
No power to establish national armed forces had to get consent from each state’s militias
Major laws needed approval of 9 of 13 states!
1787 First and Only Big Accomplishment for AOC
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Signed by Congress to set procedures for granting statehood to territories within the ‘northwest territory’
No slavery allowed!
Included guaranteed rights for people that migrated there!
Cultural obstacles AOC could not fix Religious differences
North Protestants (New
Jersey and Delaware)
South Baptists (Georgia and
North Carolina)
Would they work together?
Other Cultural obstacles AOC could not fix Slavery in States
North No slaves Blacks were free!
South Slaves were necessary
for economic survival! Helped keep price of
cotton and tobacco low.
By 1786, we are looking for change…
Sept. 1786 Representatives from Virginia tried to organize a
convention in Annapolis, MD for states to talk about issues
Convention Meeting held by governments
Problem… Only 5 states showed up! What do you do?
Call for another convention for following year!
Next meeting was to be in Philadelphia, PA in May 1787. Start thinking of changes to the AOC
Make a strong federal government to force states to work together
Might want to include: Executive branches Judicial branches
How do you get states to come to this meeting? You need something bad to happen!
Shays' Rebellion August 1786-January 1787
Daniel Shays leads armed rebellion against state officials What is the issue?
Farmers were being kicked off their land for not paying off their debts to state governments!
What happens? Farmers start killing
state officials.
What did Shay’s Rebellion prove? Nothing..
However, people are beginning to ask
“How were we able to beat the world’s largest empire to gain independence but could not keep order in peacetime???”
We need a new government!! A strong government!! This gets the states to go to Philly, PA in 1787
Onward to Philly…