shaping a new nation - southcorner barber · shaping a new nation. 5.1 experimenting with...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 5
Shaping A New Nation
5.1 Experimenting with
ConfederationMain Idea: Americans adopted the Articles of Confederation but found the new government too weak to
solve the nation’s problems.
Do now: Why didn’t America become a monarchy like the majority of the world? Explain.
Republicanism● A government in which citizens rule through elected
officials○ pure democracy was logistically impossible & gave
poor too much power
State Constitutions● Similarities
○ limited the government leaders (Fear of a king)○ Rights: Freedom of speech, religion, and press○ Liberty over equality
● Differences○ Voting Rights
● Political Precedent?○ Monarchy
Articles of Confederation● Continental Congress met to figure everything out
○ Multiple problems■ Representation based on what? Population or state?■ Supreme power divided?
Western Lands??● Before the A.o.C could be ratified states had to give up claims to
western lands.○ they did!
● March 1781 - A.o.C. was accepted
Land Ordinance of 1785● Plan for surveying land in the NW territory!
Northwest Ordinance of 1787Established how new states would be formed.
● Territory would get a governor and 3 judges.
● 5000 people○ temporary constitution
and govt.● 60,000 people
○ Constitution and statehood if Congress approves.
Problems with Confederation - Do Now:1. How many votes did each state get in Congress? Do you think it was fair?
2. Why did Congress have a difficult time passing laws under the Articles of Confederation?
3. Why was it difficult or impossible for the Federal Government of the United States, under the Articles, to raise money to pay for its expenses?
4. Why was it difficult or impossible for the Federal Government of the United States, under the Articles, to settle disputes between states or between citizens of different states?
5. Which of the weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation do you think is most responsible for causing the failure of the American Government?
Political and Economic ● States were only worried about themselves● One vote per state
○ MA- 235,000 people○ GA- 23,375 people
● Amend the A of C○ all 13 states had to agree
● Make laws○ 9/13 states had to agree
UNFAIR!
Debt● America was in debt
○ Federal Govt. could not tax.■ needed state's approval to amend
A of C so they could tax (Tariff)● RI said no!
● Rich wanted high taxes & limited currency● Poor wanted low taxes & increased
currency○ pay debts off with cheap money
Foreign relations (No $$ for military)● Govt. could not pay loyalists for destroyed property
○ British stayed in forts along the Great Lakes
● Spain closed the Mississippi River to all American traffic over border disputes.○ Americans used the river to transport product to New
Orleans and then by boat to the eastern cities.
Calls for Convention● Meeting was called to discuss trade between the states.
○ Tax issues○ Navigation of rivers
■ Maryland was trying to tax ships using the Potomac River as they headed to Virginia.● Would raise prices for Virginiana etc..
■ Virginia threatened to tax any ship entering Chesapeake Bay heading to Maryland.
● Scheduled another meeting a year later..
Shays Rebellion!
May 1787 - Philadelphia State House● Delegates met to discuss the problems with the A of C
○ All upper class men - no poor farmers!● Agreed the A of C was too weak/broken and began to
create a new government.○ If the National Government was useless against a small
farmer rebellion what chance did it have of protecting the entire country!
Post Reading Questions1. What are both of the author's’ main ideas? 2. How are they similar? 3. How are they different? 4. What is the historical context (background) to these
quotes? 5. Which one(s) do you agree with? 6. Which one(s) do you disagree with?
5.2 Drafting the
ConstitutionMain Idea: At the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, delegates
rejected the Articles of Confederation and created a new
constitution.
May 1787 - Philadelphia State House● Delegates met to discuss the problems with the Article of
Confederation○ All upper class men - no farmers present
Members
George Washington: dignity and fairness
James Madison: Scholar, “Father of the Constitution”
Alexander Hamilton: spokesman for property owners
Ben Franklin: Wisdom and prestige
Small States v. Big StatesVirginia Plan
1) Bicameral legislaturea) Two houses
2) Based on population
New Jersey Plan
1. 1 vote per state2. Population did not
matter
Great Compromise
1. Roger Shermana) Congress = Senate
i) Equal for each state
b) House of Representatives
i) Based on population
Slavery● Southern States:
○ Wanted to count slaves toward population■ More representation in the House of Reps
● Did not want slaves to count toward direct taxation○ Lower their overall tax base
3/5s Compromise● 5 Slaves would be counted as 3 free people for representation
and taxation
Division of PowersFederalism: power is divided between national and state governments.
Separation of Powers
Electoral Collegehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9H3gvnN468
Creating the Constitution● Amendment process● September 17th, 1787 - Delegates adjourned● Need 9 out of 13 to ratify
5.3 Ratifying the
ConstitutionMain idea: During the debate on the
Constitution, the Federalists promised to add a bill of rights in order to get
the Constitution ratified.
Do Now: Would you have been a Federalists or an Antifederalist? Explain why.
Choosing Sides● Federalists: in support of the constitution● Antifederalists: oppose a strong central government● Ratification: official approval
George Washington
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison Samuel Adams
Patrick Henry
Richard Henry Lee
The Federalists Papers● Written in 1787● To advocate the ratification
of the new Constitution by the states
● Unofficial explanation of the gov’t by the people who created it
Ratification1. Delaware - December 7, 17872. Pennsylvania - December 12, 17873. New Jersey - December 18, 17874. Georgia - January 2, 17885. Connecticut - January 9, 17886. Massachusetts - February 6, 17887. Maryland - April 28, 17888. South Carolina - May 23, 17889. New Hampshire - June 21, 1788 = RATIFIED
10. Virginia - June 25, 178811. New York - July 26, 1788
***March 4th, 1789 - Gov’t would begin under the Constitution
12. North Carolina - November 21, 178913. Rhode Island - May 29, 1790