Date post: | 05-Jul-2015 |
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The New Government of the United States of America
Articles of Confederation
• Drafted by John Dickinson
• Americans feared a strong government
• It took four years for the US to ratify the Articles.
• Lasted only 8 years
Power of the Articles
• Congress had few powers, states held more power.
Articles vs. States
ArmyDeclare
WarMake
TreatiesManageIndians
Make Money
Tax Trade
Articles yes
States
Northwest Ordinance of 1785
• Drafted by Thomas Jefferson
• Provided for selling and surveying of Northwest Territory
Land sold in section 15 supported public schools.15
16
TownshipSection
Northwest Territory of 1787
• 5,000 voters = election of own legislature
• 60,000 voters = apply for statehood
• 5 states came out of the Northwest Territory
• Slavery was banned in the territory
Jefferson’s other state suggestions
• Michigania
• Cherronesus
• Metropotania
• Assenisipia
• Sylvania
• Illinoia
• Pilypotania
• Pelisipia
Weaknesses of the Confederation
1. Lack of power to enforce the laws that it made
2. Couldn’t levy taxes
3. Didn’t have sole power to coin money
Shay’s Rebellion
• Farmers in Massachusetts were losing their lands due to the heavy taxes by Massachusetts and the worthless money
• Daniel Shay led one mob of farmers to the federal arsenal
• Were dispersed by the Massachusetts militia
• This showed the weakness of the Articles!
• Come and listen to a story ‘bout a man named Shays
• Poor ol’farmer whose debts weren’t gettin’ paid
• So one day he rallied up his friends
• And that my dear is where it all begins
• Well, Shays and his friends they stole a lot of guns
• They closed down the bank
• They shouted “Re-bell-yun”
• The wise men knew this Shay wasn’t a fool, they knew to others he’d seem really cool
• (smart that is, John Locke, don’t ya’ see)
• Well the next thing you know the rich folks got all scared
• Madison said “Let’s get out of here!”
• He said “Philadelphia is the place we oughtabe”
• So they saddled up the horse and they rode off to Philly
• (PA that is, making rules, changing laws)
• And that my friends was really just the start
• Those 55 men were really very smart
• They made a constitution for you and me
• And it has lasted for two-20 (years that is)
Philadelphia Convention
• Meeting of the states to revise the Articles of Confederation
• 12 states were represented. Rhode Island didn’t come.
• George Washington was elected convention chairman
Notable men at the convention:
George Washington
James Madison
Benjamin Franklin
James Wilson
Gouverneur Morris
Alexander Hamilton