Building a New NationCh.5

The Articles of Confederation After the Declaration of Independence had been

issued and during the war for independence, The Continental Congress put in place a government for the Colonies….

The Articles of Confederation – An alliance of states where the state governments share powers with the National government▫It gave the new government the power to make

war, make peace, sign treaties, and borrow money The New government reflected Americans’ fear

of a strong government, so it put more power in the hands of state and local power.

Achievements of the Articles • Since the New country

was “land rich, but money poor” Congress had to decide how to sell western lands

• Land Ordinance of 1785 – law that established a plan for surveying and selling land west of App. Mtns.▫ Made small parcels

available to poorer people

• Northwest Ordinance of 1787 law that established a plan for admitting western states.

Problems with the Articles•It did not allow the govt. to collect taxes

▫Country had amassed a large war debt… How would they get the money

•Each state had one vote in congress▫(Regardless of size)

•Discouraged national unity

•Foreign relations problems

Graphic of articles powers

Shays Rebellion• Daniel Shays was a

Massachusetts farmer and veteran of the Revolutionary War.

• He led an angry mob of farmers who felt they were being taxed too much.

• They marched to the county courthouse and then to they armory before the rebellion was put down by the state militia which were led personally by G. Washington.

Constitutional Convention• May 1787 – Philadelphia• Shay’s rebellion

convinced 12 states to send delegates to revise the Articles Of Confederation to strengthen the central government

• Within days delegates decided to scrap the Articles and create a new government.

Issues that dominate discussionat the Const. Convention

1. Strong Central Government vs. Strong States

2. Representation▫The Virginia Plan (Big state Plan)– Bicameral

legislation (two house)---Legislation to be based on population

▫ The New Jersey Plan- Unicameral legislation- equal representation

▫ Result ? The Great Compromise---H.O.R.-population Senate- Equal

Issues Cont.3. Slavery▫ Southern States- Wanted

slaves to be counted in population for representation (Why?)

▫ Northern States- Slaves to be counted only for taxation purposes (Why?)

▫ 3/5 Compromise- 3/5 of Slave Population would be counted for taxes and representation

4. Single Executive or Group Executive?

▫ *1 Executive to serve 4 year term to be chosen by electoral college

Division and Separation of Powers

• The New govt. divided powers between the National and State governments

• Reflecting Americans fear of a strong central govt. that could violate it citizens rights, the federal govt. was separated into 3 branches

• Executive, Judicial, and Legislative.

• Each branch would have a function and have check and balances on the other two branches.

System of Checks and Balances

Checks and Balance flow chart

The Amending Process•Amendment – Change•Realizing that the new government was

not perfect, the Framers put in place a system to make necessary changes when problems arose.

•Article 5 says that 2/3rds of both houses have to agree for an amendment to be proposed and 3/4ths vote of both houses to make it law (part of the Constitution)

Ratification•Now that the Constitution was drafted it

was left to each state to call a special convention to vote to accept or reject the plan

•Ratification – official approval•9 of the 13 states had to ratify the new

constitution to make it Official law

The Debate• Two sides Federalists and Anti-

federalists• Leading Federalists

▫ George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton

• Leading anti federalists▫ Patrick Henry, Sam Adams,

• Federalist Argument▫ The young country needed a

strong govt. to pull the country together in order to get tough things done

▫ Division of powers and system of checks and balances written in would protect Americans from governmental abuses.

• Anti Federalist argument▫ Reminded Americans of recent

struggles with strong British govt.▫ Saw potential for same abuses of

rights with new constitution

The Federalist arguement•The Federalist

(Papers)▫ A series of Essays

written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

▫ Purpose was to convince the Public of the need for a stronger government

Promise of a Bill of Rights• The Anti-federalist

and many people wanted the citizens rights specifically written so they could not be violated by the govt.

• Writers of the Constitution and Federalists promised that if the Constitution was ratified a Bill of Rights would be added

Ratification• Promises to add a bill of rights and the Federalist

Papers convinced enough to Ratify the Constitution.

• Delaware was the First State to Ratify it in Dec. of 1787 and New Hampshire was the ninth in 1788, officially making the Constitution our basis for government.

• Virginia and New York were the toughest two states with the most heated debates

Structure of the Constitution•Article 1 - Legislature•Article 2 - The Executive•Article 3 - Judicial •Article 4 - Relations of the states•Article 5 - Amending the Constitution•Article 6 - Supremacy of National govt.•Article 7 - Ratification

A Summary of the Bill of Rights1. Religious and political Freedoms2. Right to have weapons3. Freedom from housing troops4. Protection against unjust searching and

taking of ones property5. Rights of those accused of crimes6. Right to a public and quick trial7. Right to a trial buy jury8. Limits on fines and punishments9. Rights of people10.States powers and the people

Day 1 •Opener

▫What 5 countries has Mobile been under the authority of ?

•In Class Schedule▫Notes sl 1-6▫Patrick Henry’s anti-federalist handout▫Founding Fathers const. segment

•Homework

Day 2•Opener

▫What was the first state? •In Class Schedule

▫Notes Sl 6-12▫John Jays Federalist handout▫Electoral College map and questions

•Homework

Day 3•Opener

• DQ: Is it necessary to limit the President’s term in office? What does this prevent?

•In Class Schedule▫Notes Sl 12 -20▫Elections then and now handout▫Fed vs. anti fed debate

•Homework

Day 4•Opener

▫"A man has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so“ Walter Lipmann

•In Class Schedule▫Constitution analysis▫Articles 1,2,3 summary

•Homework

Day 5•Opener

▫Trivia - Name the Great Lakes.•In Class Schedule

▫Constitution analysis▫Articles 4-7 summary▫Constitution Graphic Organizer

•Homework

Day 6•Opener

▫Trivia -What grinning, spunky president coined the phrase “Speak softly and carry a big stick”?

•In Class Schedule▫Constitutional amendments notes▫Amendment sheet list ▫Re-teaching the amendments handout

•Homework

Day 7•Opener

▫Quote -"Nothing worth having ever comes without some kind of a fight"- Bruce Cockburn

•In Class Schedule▫Amendment Timeline handout▫Bill of Rights cartoon graphic▫Review

•Homework

Day 8•Opener

▫Trivia- What is the largest Indian tribe in the U.S. today, and also has the largest reservation?

•In Class Schedule▫Test

•Homework

Day 9•Opener

▫DQ: What would be the Pros and Cons of changing the minimum driving age from 16 to 18?

•In Class Schedule•Homework

Day 10•Opener

▫" Life is like game of cards you have no control over the hand your dealt but you do control the way you play the game"- Anon

•In Class Schedule•Homework