The Early Government

1781-1803

Ok…so we won the revolution….

Now what????

The Critical Period (1781-1788)

Why are these years so critical to the survival of America?

The problem with Revolutions….

Citizens and leaders are killed

Some leaders take over with extreme ideas

Everyone and everything is destroyed that the extreme leaders do not agree with

Why is America so different?

Separated from its tension by an ocean

More like a war than chaos

Founders and the citizens don’t fragment and kill each other

Got to work as soon as war was over

Shared the common goal for the new government and all cooperated

How will we create our new

government? Ideas come from: Ancient Greece and Rome

Republicanism

Enlightenment philosophy

Continental Congress debates 3 big questions How will the people be represented?

What role will the national government play?

How do we deal with Western land settlement?

1. Representation under the AOC

Each state had 1 vote

2 levels of government State were powerful in some matters National government were powerful in

some matters

An alliance between state and national government Divided power/responsibility

2. The Role of the National Government

National Government States

Declare War 1 vote

Sign treaties Taxes raised by states

System of weights and measures

Need unanimous decision to add new states

Post Office Nee unanimous decision to change Articles of Confederation

Borrow Money

Relationship with Native Americans

3. Western Lands:a. Land Ordinance of 1785

Plan used to survey newly acquired land.

b. Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Created territories

Set up requirements for admission of new states

Congress appointed governor

Needed 5000 voting inhabitants to appoint own governor

Needed 60,000 free inhabitants to write state constitution and apply for statehood

Rebellion & Convention

Shay’s Rebellion

Daniel Shay leads rebellion of angry farmers

Disgruntled over creditors, he wishes to close courts

What does this demonstrate about National Government?

Effect

Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia)

More states participate in convention as result of Shay’s Rebellion

Articles Of Confederation vs. the Constitution

AOC & Constitution Comparison

Working with a partner, complete the Comparison chart

Answer the following questions:

1. Identify 2 major flaws of the Articles of Confederation

2. Describe 2-3 major changes the Constitution made to correct these flaws.

3. Why is the Constitution consider a “living document”?

Problems Arise Economic

Issue of Taxation Needed to resolve war debt

Political AOC needed a unanimous vote to pass anything (1 state

could stall process) Foreign Relations

Central gov’t too weak to fight foreign countries when conflict arises (Britain & Spain)

AOC Had AOC Lacked

Declare War No Executive Branch

Sign Treaties No national courts

Establish Postal Service No one to carry out laws

Deal w/ N. Americans

Borrow Money

New Government Federalism

Divided power between national and state

Democratic-Republic

People elect representatives

Constitution Ratification: official approval

States hold own conventions to determine if they ratify

9/13 states needed to ratify

Federalists – Supported Constitution

Anti-Federalists – Opposed Constitution

State Representation Great Compromise

Combination of Virginia & New Jersey Plans

Big States v. Small States

Creation of the 2 house Congress

Senate: Equal Representation

House of Rep: Population determines #

Compromise on Population

3/5 Compromise

Question as to whether slaves counted towards states population

3/5 of state’s slaves counted

Separation of Powers Legislative Branch

Makes Laws

Congress (Senate & House of Rep.)

Judicial Branch

Interpret Laws

Supreme Court

Executive Branch

Carry out Laws

President

System of Checks & Balances

Electoral College # Senators + # House of Representatives= # of Electors

Framers did not trust people to directly elect president

Today:

538 total votes; 270 needed to win

27 states require by law Electoral College to vote according to popular vote

23 states do not have any laws, but typically follow the popular vote

Federalists vs. Anti-

Federalists

Constitutional Analysis Federalist Viewpoint

1.

2.

3.

Anti-federalist Viewpoint

1.

2.

3.

Bill of Rights Added in 1791

10 amendments (pg 149)

Guarantee citizens certain rights & freedoms

Addition was essential for ratification of Constitution in some states