Creating a new governmentChapter 2, sections 1 & 2

I. Articles of Confederation (November 1777)

1. 1st attempt at government (legislative branch only)

2. Idea: to rule “with consent of the governed”

3. Loose association of states4. Gave central government power to:

Set national policiesCarry on foreign relationsCoin & borrow moneyDeclare warEstablish & maintain an army

5. Could NOT:-pass law without 9/13

majority of states- amend Articles of

Confederation without 13 states consent

- impose or collect taxes- regulate trade- enforce laws (no

Executive branch) or interpret laws (no Judicial branch)

II. Shays’ Rebellion

1. Post-war economy was weak—states and central government struggling

2. Currency NOT backed by gold or silver, leads to inflation

3. Debts called in, people jailed when they couldn’t repay

4. Daniel Shays of Massachusetts in 1786 shut down debtor courts by holding them hostage

5. General Washington sends militia to crush revolt

III. Western Territory1. Set up guidelines for territory

representation2.Northwest Ordinance 1787

-Settlers received freedom of religion-No civil rights, no slavery allowed

IV. Drafting the Constitution

1. Articles of Confederation are terrible need a new government set up

2. 1st Constitutional Convention held May 1787 in Philadelphia, PA

3. Elect George Washington unanimously as President of convention

4. Issues:

-Equal representation of big and small states

- North vs South

- Strong national government c. states’ rights

- Suggestions:

*Virginia Plan, by Edmund Randolph

-3 branches: executive, legislative & judicial

-Legislative branch be bicameral (two houses) &

represented proportionally to population

* New Jersey Plan, by William Paterson

-Legislative branch be unicameral (one house) and all

states represented equally

5. Compromise

-Kept 3 branch system

- formed system of checks & balances

- Bicameral legislature

*upper house (Senate) equally represented, 2 senators per state

* lower house (House of Representatives) proportionally represented based on state population

V. Ratifying the Constitution

1. Difficult anti-Federalists v. Federalists

2. Federalists supported constitution as-is

3. Anti-Federalists wanted a written guarantee of citizen’s rights before signing

*Bill of Rights (1st 10 amendments to the Constitution) written

* Constitution ratified in 1788