Constitutional Era Constitutional Era The Articles of Confederation- US form of government The Articles of Confederation- US form of government

from 1777-1787. It was a weak league of independent from 1777-1787. It was a weak league of independent states with very limited powers. It included:states with very limited powers. It included:

A one branch legislature (Representatives limited to a 3 yr A one branch legislature (Representatives limited to a 3 yr term)term)

A weak 3 person executive branch ( No real executive A weak 3 person executive branch ( No real executive branch)branch)

No power to levy taxesNo power to levy taxes One vote per stateOne vote per state No national currencyNo national currency No real Judicial branchNo real Judicial branch 9/13 vote to make a law and an unanimous vote to 9/13 vote to make a law and an unanimous vote to

amend the Articlesamend the Articles Yet, the Congress passed two important measures Yet, the Congress passed two important measures

regarding westward expansion.regarding westward expansion.

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Accomplishments under the Accomplishments under the Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

How was the new How was the new nation to organize nation to organize the western lands?the western lands?

Answers: Answers: Land Ordinance of Land Ordinance of

1785-1785- Northwest Northwest

Ordinance of 1787Ordinance of 1787

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Land Ordinance of 1785Land Ordinance of 1785

Western lands Western lands would be would be surveyed and surveyed and divided into divided into Townships- 36 sq. Townships- 36 sq. miles each, miles each, including 36 including 36 sections, 1 sq. mile sections, 1 sq. mile per each section.per each section.

640 640

acresacres

#16#16

Township

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Township-Land Ordinance of 1785Township-Land Ordinance of 1785

Each square mile section encompassed Each square mile section encompassed 640 acres. Section 16 was set aside for a 640 acres. Section 16 was set aside for a public school.public school.

The federal government reserved sections The federal government reserved sections eight, eleven, twenty-six, and twenty-nine eight, eleven, twenty-six, and twenty-nine for veterans of the Revolutionary War.for veterans of the Revolutionary War.

The government would sell the remaining The government would sell the remaining sections at public auction. sections at public auction.

The minimum bid was 640 dollars per The minimum bid was 640 dollars per section or one dollar for each acre of land section or one dollar for each acre of land in each section. in each section.

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The Land Ordinance of 1785 solved The Land Ordinance of 1785 solved the problem of organizing new lands, the problem of organizing new lands, but did not solve the problem of how but did not solve the problem of how to add new states to the Union.to add new states to the Union.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 solved that problem.solved that problem.

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Northwest Ordinance of 1787Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Western lands would be divided into territories Western lands would be divided into territories

and eventually into 3 to 5 states.and eventually into 3 to 5 states.

Each territory would be governed by a governor Each territory would be governed by a governor and judges appointed by Congress.and judges appointed by Congress.

Slavery would be outlawed in the territories.Slavery would be outlawed in the territories.

When each territory reached a white male voting When each territory reached a white male voting population of 5,000, it could create a legislature population of 5,000, it could create a legislature and select a non voting member to Congress.and select a non voting member to Congress.

When the population reached 60,000, it could When the population reached 60,000, it could submit a constitution to Congress for approval submit a constitution to Congress for approval and apply for statehood.and apply for statehood.

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This allowed for equality of states as This allowed for equality of states as they entered the Union.they entered the Union.

Therefore, the Land Ordinance of Therefore, the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 were two positive pieces of 1787 were two positive pieces of legislature passed during the period legislature passed during the period of Articles of Confederation.of Articles of Confederation.

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Problems under the ArticlesProblems under the Articles Shays’s Rebellion-Shays’s Rebellion- 1781- Farmers in western Massachusetts 1781- Farmers in western Massachusetts

had little gold currency and couldn’t pay their had little gold currency and couldn’t pay their taxes. taxes.

When their land was taken by the State of When their land was taken by the State of Massachusetts for non payment of taxes, Massachusetts for non payment of taxes,

the farmers led by Daniel Shays, marched on the farmers led by Daniel Shays, marched on Boston. Militia captured 150 angry farmers, Boston. Militia captured 150 angry farmers, Shay escaped.Shay escaped.

Soon, similar rebellions broke out in other Soon, similar rebellions broke out in other states.states.

Question- was this tyranny, mob rule, or Question- was this tyranny, mob rule, or justice?justice?

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The United States government under the The United States government under the Articles remained helpless to solve any Articles remained helpless to solve any problems regarding rebellion.problems regarding rebellion.

Another problem was rapid inflation. The Another problem was rapid inflation. The currency ratio reached 75 to 1. The currency ratio reached 75 to 1. The Congress had no authority to direct or Congress had no authority to direct or solve economic problems.solve economic problems.

Many felt continued problems would lead Many felt continued problems would lead to tyranny, anarchy and chaos and a to tyranny, anarchy and chaos and a stronger national government was needed.stronger national government was needed.

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Answer to ProblemsAnswer to Problems

September 1786- Annapolis Convention September 1786- Annapolis Convention ( Annapolis, Md.) delegates decided to ( Annapolis, Md.) delegates decided to hold a Convention at Philadelphia the hold a Convention at Philadelphia the next year in order to revise the Articles.next year in order to revise the Articles.

Thomas Jefferson was in France as our Thomas Jefferson was in France as our Ambassador to FranceAmbassador to France

Patrick Henry of Virginia did not attend Patrick Henry of Virginia did not attend the convention as he “smelled a rat”the convention as he “smelled a rat”

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Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention17871787

Philadelphia State Philadelphia State House House

Independence HallIndependence Hall

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Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention When- May to September 1787When- May to September 1787 Where- Philadelphia State House, Where- Philadelphia State House, Independence HallIndependence Hall Who- delegates from 12 states. A young Who- delegates from 12 states. A young

group as the average age was 43.group as the average age was 43. Examples: James Madison-36, Edmund Examples: James Madison-36, Edmund

Randolph 33, George Washington 55, Ben Randolph 33, George Washington 55, Ben Franklin 81.Franklin 81.

Federalist Papers published- to support a Federalist Papers published- to support a strong central government.strong central government.

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Events at the ConventionEvents at the Convention

Almost at first, the delegates voted Almost at first, the delegates voted to scrap the Articles and create a to scrap the Articles and create a new government under a new new government under a new Constitution.Constitution.

This was a radical move, therefore This was a radical move, therefore the delegates voted to keep the the delegates voted to keep the events secret from the public until events secret from the public until their work was done.their work was done.

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Issues at the ConventionIssues at the Convention

Three issues dividing the Three issues dividing the convention:convention:

1.How to share power between the 1.How to share power between the states and national governmentstates and national government

2. Large states vs. small states2. Large states vs. small states

3. Slavery3. Slavery

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New Ideas ProposedNew Ideas Proposed

Virginia PlanVirginia Plan

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

Great Compromise or Connecticut PlanGreat Compromise or Connecticut Plan

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Virginia Plan or Large State PlanVirginia Plan or Large State Plan

Presented at the Convention by Edmund Presented at the Convention by Edmund Randolph:Randolph:

Three Branch National GovernmentThree Branch National Government 1. Strong executive 1. Strong executive 2. A national judiciary2. A national judiciary with a Supreme Court with a Supreme Court 3. A two house legislature3. A two house legislature

The number of representatives from both houses based The number of representatives from both houses based on proportional population.on proportional population.

A system of separation of powers and checks and balances A system of separation of powers and checks and balances would be includedwould be included

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New Jersey Plan- small state planNew Jersey Plan- small state plan

Presented by William Patterson:Presented by William Patterson:

Same, except for a one house legislature, Same, except for a one house legislature, allowing one vote per state.allowing one vote per state.

After heated debate, a compromise was After heated debate, a compromise was reached between the large and small reached between the large and small states- called the Connecticut Plan or the states- called the Connecticut Plan or the Great Compromise.Great Compromise.

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Great CompromiseGreat Compromiseor Connecticut Compromiseor Connecticut Compromise

A Two house legislatureA Two house legislature Lower House- House of Representives Lower House- House of Representives

–number of representatives based on –number of representatives based on populationpopulation

Upper House- Senate- equal Upper House- Senate- equal representation of two senators per representation of two senators per state.state.

All money bills would originate in the All money bills would originate in the House.House.

Approved July 1787.Approved July 1787.18

Issue of SlaveryIssue of Slavery

3/5 Compromise – Proportional 3/5 Compromise – Proportional representation would be based on representation would be based on the number of free citizens and 3/5 the number of free citizens and 3/5 of allof all

“ “other male persons” or slaves, i.e. other male persons” or slaves, i.e. each slave would count as 3/5 of a each slave would count as 3/5 of a person.person.

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New Government- Three Branches:New Government- Three Branches:

Executive- 4 year term, chosen by an Executive- 4 year term, chosen by an electoral College ( body of electors electoral College ( body of electors from each house of Congress)from each house of Congress)

Power to appoint Supreme Court Power to appoint Supreme Court JusticesJustices

Veto PowerVeto Power

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Legislative Branch- power to make Legislative Branch- power to make lawslaws

House had right to impeach House had right to impeach Senate had right to hold Senate had right to hold

impeachment trialimpeachment trial

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Judicial Branch- established a Supreme Judicial Branch- established a Supreme Court as head judiciary of the nationCourt as head judiciary of the nation

Congress would establish lower courtsCongress would establish lower courts

Supremacy Clause- laws of the US Supremacy Clause- laws of the US Government shall remain supreme over Government shall remain supreme over State laws.State laws.

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Created a System of Checks and BalancesCreated a System of Checks and Balances

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New GovernmentNew Government Constitution signed on September, 17, 1787 by Constitution signed on September, 17, 1787 by

39 of the 42 delegates.39 of the 42 delegates.

New form of government now had to be ratified New form of government now had to be ratified by majority of the states ( 9/13).by majority of the states ( 9/13).

Constitution ratified 1790.Constitution ratified 1790. Bill of Rights ( the first 10 Amendments) Bill of Rights ( the first 10 Amendments)

added in 1791.added in 1791. A Federalist System- powers would be shared A Federalist System- powers would be shared

by a central form of government and state by a central form of government and state governments.governments.

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Other Changes by customOther Changes by custom

Creation of the President’s CabinetCreation of the President’s Cabinet Creation of political partiesCreation of political parties Executive Privilege- right of the Executive Privilege- right of the

President to refuse to appear before President to refuse to appear before CongressCongress

Senatorial Courtesy- president Senatorial Courtesy- president consults with Senators consults with Senators

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Political PartiesPolitical Parties

Federalists- those that supported a Federalists- those that supported a strong national government, strong national government, supreme over state governments, a supreme over state governments, a strong national defense, and a strong national defense, and a national treasury.national treasury.

Anti- federalists- those that Anti- federalists- those that supported states rights and were supported states rights and were opposed to an overwhelming opposed to an overwhelming powerful national government.powerful national government.

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VirginiaVirginia The Leading opponents of ratification wereThe Leading opponents of ratification were Patrick Henry and George Mason.Patrick Henry and George Mason.

The Leading proponents for ratification The Leading proponents for ratification

were George Washington and James Madison.were George Washington and James Madison.

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US ConstitutionUS Constitution

Preamble- goals of the new Preamble- goals of the new governmentgovernment

Article I-Article I- Delineates the duties and Delineates the duties and authority of the legislative branch.authority of the legislative branch.

Article II-Article II- Delineates the duties and Delineates the duties and authority of the executive branchauthority of the executive branch

Article III- Delineates the duties and Article III- Delineates the duties and authority of the judicial branchauthority of the judicial branch

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Article IV-Article IV- Outlines the relationship between the Outlines the relationship between the federal government and the states. federal government and the states.

Powers delegated to USPowers delegated to US Powers reserved for StatesPowers reserved for States Powers shared as concurrent powersPowers shared as concurrent powers

Article V-Article V- Outlines the process for amending the Outlines the process for amending the ConstitutionConstitution

Article VI- Article VI- Establishes the Constitution as the Establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the landsupreme law of the land

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Article VII- Article VII- Describes the ratification Describes the ratification processprocess

Amendments- Amendments- 1- XXVII1- XXVII

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The “Father of the Constitution” The “Father of the Constitution” waswas

James Madison.James Madison.

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What are the First Ten What are the First Ten Amendments called?Amendments called?

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

11stst Amendment- freedom of Amendment- freedom of religion, of speech, of assembly, religion, of speech, of assembly, to petition, of the press.to petition, of the press.

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Who wrote the Virginia Who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights?Declaration of Rights?

George MasonGeorge Mason

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What was the basic idea of What was the basic idea of the Virginia Declaration of the Virginia Declaration of Rights?Rights?

That government should That government should notnot violate basic human rights.violate basic human rights.

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Who wrote the Virginia Who wrote the Virginia Statute of Religious Statute of Religious Freedom?Freedom?

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson

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What did the Virginia What did the Virginia Statute of Religious Statute of Religious Freedom do?Freedom do?

Outlawed the established Outlawed the established church in Virginiachurch in Virginia

Supported the idea of Supported the idea of freedom of religionfreedom of religion

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What two documents did What two documents did Madison consult when he was Madison consult when he was working on the Bill of Rights?working on the Bill of Rights?

The Virginia Declaration of The Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Rights and the Virginia Statute of Religious FreedomStatute of Religious Freedom

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