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 StatesDeclare War 1 voteSign treaties Taxes raised by statesSystem of weights and measures

Need unanimous decision to add new states

Post Office Nee unanimous decision to change Articles of Confederation

Borrow MoneyRelationship 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 LackedDeclare War No Executive BranchSign Treaties No national courts

Establish Postal Service No one to carry out lawsDeal 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 Viewpoint1. 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