A New Nation

Developing the Constitution and formation of a New Independent

United States of America

America at its infancy..1783

So now what?

• Discussion of own governments

• Challenges• Inclusions• Differences/Similarities to others

governments

Republic Vs. Democracy

• Democracy= government directly in the hands of the people

• Republic= Citizens rule through elected officials

Founding Fathers choose: Democratic- Repulic

WHY?

What are the challenges of becoming a brand new country?• Money• Military• Government• Not becoming like Britain • Leaders• States actually being UNITED

Each State to it’s own!• Each states had been acting likes it’s

own separate country since the 1600’s

• Each state had a different Constitution and Government style

• States wanted the Power in the hands of the State, not the Federal Centralized Government

THINK – PAIR – SHARE

• WHY Would each state be afraid of Centralized power?

Articles of Confederation Activity

• Read pages 194-195

• What was the Articles of Confederation?

• Strengths? • Weaknesses?

Articles of Confederation (1775-1789)

Activity continued• As a group read through articles IV to XIII• Analyze and examine the powers by the

AOC granted to the states and to the National (Federal) Government

• Examine your own government…do you have any similarities to the AOC?

• Examine the weakness of the AOC• Weakness of your own government

Continental Congress DECISIONS:1. Each state would get ONE vote

2. Articles of Confederation

•2 levels of government :share power•STATES SUPREME 50%•FEDERAL SUPREME 50%−Borrow money, Go to war, Sign treaties, Set up a currency, Postal service, Deal with Native Americans (Should be in chart)

Strengths Weaknesses

1.Conduct foreign affairs

2.Issue Currency ($)

3.Maintain armed forces

4.Postal system5.Declare war and

make peace

1. Central govern’t weak2. Only one-house Congress3. No executive or judicial

branch4. Needed all 13 states to

amend5. Could not tax6. Could not regulate trade7. Could not protect copyrights8. Could not take other

necessary actions to run the federal govern’t

9. To pass laws= 9 out of 13 to approve

Down Fall of the AOC:

• Could not create a separate identity for the executive department (Leader)

• No court system (decide on laws)

• Can’t Amend it!!!

AOC and issues that arise after the Revolution 1781-1789

• Read through Chapter 7: Sec. 1 and 2

• Provide notes on your section on your white board

• Provide a picture of your concept

• Be ready to share with class

Issues

• Land Policies• Financial Problems• Problems with Britain• Problems with Spain• Shay’s Rebellion• Issue with slavery

What about the Land we get for winning the Revolutionary War?• Some wanted it be turned over to the

new government of the USA.

• Governing the new land/territory was a big task

Problems:

Based on your reading, what are some other problems the new USA endured?

*$*GB*Spain

Problems arise!!!• Lack unity• Each state pursued own interests• Each state had still only ONE vote• Articles of Confederation could not be

AMMENDED!!!!!• Debt left from war (WHO WILL PAY?)• 9 out of the 13 states were needed to pass

ANY law• Congress could not Tax or regulate trade –

states did this on their own

Shay’s Rebellion

Exit Slip:

What would you have done in this situation?

How did this rebellion really show the weakness of the AOC?

Slavery

• What is the plan?

• What can be compromised on this delicate topic?

THINK- PAIR - SHARE

“ What a triumph for enemies… to find we are incapable of governing ourselves”

-George Washington

Eventually, Constitutional Convention 1787

• All states (except Rhode Island) met in Philadelphia to discuss plans for a new Constitution.

• How do we become the UNITED States of America?

• 55 delegates:−Merchants−planters−Lawyers−Well-educate

THINK PAIR SHARE

• Virginia Plan – what does it propose? (page 202)

• New Jersey Plan – what does it propose (203)

• What happens with these two plans?

Virginia Plan:• More to states with big population• Dominate the Congress

Versus

New Jersey Plan:Favored smaller states, single house

congressEach state had an equal vote

So, how do we finally agree on the Constitution?

•Stayed tuned!!!!!!