The Confederation and ConstitutionChevalierFall 2014

Articles of Confederation Ch. 9 Themes

Economic democracy preceded political democracy in America

Excellent political leadership to nation build

Articles created a WEAK central gov’t by design. It was our FALSE START

We wrote a second constitution in 1787 that created a STRONG central gov’t with 3 branches

Confederacy I. Pursuit of equality

Property qualifications, trade unions, inheritance laws, antislavery societies Women, slavery

II. A of C Went into effect in 1781, when states gave up

claims to western lands in the old Northwest. It’s main strength was…

Weak by design-didn’t have power to… Pirates, rebellions, British forts, Spanish, French

Americans began to consider a stronger gov’t.

Confederacy III. A of C Triumphs

Land Ordinance Act of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787

■Grid system was created by Thomas Jefferson…

■Structured and organized land policy

■Allowed for a peaceful purchase of land.

■Promoted an orderly expansion westward..

■Confederation Congress convinced states who claimed

land out west to cede their land to the US Govt.

■US Govt. was to come up with a fair and reasonable land

policy…..Unlike the Proclamation of 1763….

Northwest Territory

Ohio

1ST STEP

WHEN PEOPLE FIRST SETTLE IN

THE AREA:

Congress appoints a governor and three judges to govern the

territory

2nd STEP

5,000 FREE ADULT MALES:

Landowners elect a congress to make laws

and raise taxes with approval of governor. 1 representative is elected to the US Congress who can debate but not vote.

3rd STEP60,000 SETTLERS:

Becomes a state, with its own government and

constitution. New states admitted with same rights as the original states. No

more than 5 states can carved out of this area.

The Northwest Ordinance encouraged ideals of republicanism (representative democracy) religious freedom, protection of liberty and property, encouraged education, admitted new states and no slavery.

IV. Constitutional Convention 1787- ALEXANDER HAMILTON and JAMES

MADISON were NATIONALISTS who desired a health, strong national government. Convened to REVISE the Articles 3 important decisions made on first day Protect America from its weaknesses

abroad and excesses at home

Philadelphia Convention V. VA Plan Diagram

NJ Plan Diagram Great Compromise

VI. Other compromises Electoral College Compromise 3/5 Compromise Slave Trade Compromise

VII. Constitution sent to STATE CONVENTIONS to be ratified.

VIII. Ratification 9/13 needed to ratify Federalists vs. Antifederalists debate

Where did the SOVEREIGNTY (free power) of the people reside? Uphill battle from the start

The Federalist Papers Thesis Bill of Rights