Forming a Nation

State Constitutions

• All included bill of rights

• Separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial)

• All white male landowners could vote

Articles of Confederation

• Gave power to states

• Ratification delayed over land disagreement

• Only had a Congress (unicameral)• Could wage war, sign peace treaties, send

diplomats, and borrow money• Could NOT regulate commerce or collect taxes

Problems

• War debts unpaid and federal gov’t had no way to collect money

• No respect from other countries

• Shays’ Rebellion- revolt against high state taxes and imprisonment for debt

Social

• No aristocratic titles

• Separation of church and state

• No suffrage for women

• Slavery still exists

Accomplishments of the articles

Land ordinance of 1785

• Planned for orderly expansion into the territory west of the Appalachian Mountains

• Money raised from sale of land would help fund government programs and the repayment of debt

• Section 16 designated for public schools!!!

• Reflects Jefferson’s belief that education citizens are necessary for democracy to flourish

Northwest ordinance- 1787

• Planned for establishment of government in the territories

• Expanded basic democratic rights into the Northwest – Congress would guarantee trial by jury, freedom of speech, press, no slavery

• Set process for territory to become a state

For a territory to become a state…

• 5,000 voting males, organize territorial government (governor, legislature, non-voting representative to Congress)

• Prepare a constitution that must be approved by Congress

• Total population 60,000 people – recognized as a state

• No special privileges for original 13 states

Constitutional convention

• Called upon states to send delegates to Philadelphia

• Conducted in secret

• Led by George Washington

• James Madison crafts articles of Constitution

Federalists Anti-Federalists

Leaders Washington, B. Franklin, Madison, Hamilton

Patrick Henry, John Hancock

Arguments (weak or strong central government?)

Stronger central government to maintain order and preserve union.

Strong central government would destroy the work of the Revolution, limit democracy, and restrict states’ rights.

Strategy Emphasized Articles’ weakness; showed opponents as having no solution

Argued Constitution had no protection of individual rights

Advantages Strong leaders; well organized

Appealed to popular distrust of government

Disadvantages Constitution new and untried; no bill of rights

Poorly organized

STEM Project

• In 4 groups, you will design a Constitution addressing issues delegates faced at the Constitutional Convention.

• You will represent either the Federalist or Anti-Federalist party. Aspects of your constitution must reflect your assigned political viewpoint.

• Your research/discussion/plans will be presented to the “delegates” tomorrow during class. Your aim is to “sell” your constitution to the delegates and convince them your plan is the best in steering the nation forward.

STEM Project

• Steps to complete the project:• Research your given political party and

determine their viewpoints, platforms, and stances.

• Apply those political beliefs to the issues listed on the next slide.

• Present your constitution to the class using some sort of visual aid. Explain your stance on each topic and why you took that particular stance. Everyone should contribute to the presentation.

Issues

• Should articles be revised or thrown out?

• Should representation be equal or based on population?

• Who would regulate interstate commerce?

• How long should a president serve? What could they do?

• How would slaves be counted in population of states?

• Would slave trade continue? Would slavery be allowed?

• Should articles be revised or thrown out? Thrown out

• Should representation be equal or based on population? Both- Senate would be equal representation and House of Representatives would be population based.

• Who would regulate interstate commerce? Congress regulates interstate and foreign commerce; ban tax on exports

• How long should a president serve? What could they do? Term=4 years; no term limit; electoral college system; veto power

• How would slaves be counted in population of states?

• Would slave trade continue? Would slavery be allowed?

Ratification

• Delegates only 9 out of 13 states had to ratify

• 1787 Constitution ratified

Slavery in the constitution

• 3/5 Compromise: counted each slave as three-fifths of a person

• Guaranteed slaves could be imported for at least 20 years longer

Federalist papers

• Essays written by Federalists explaining reasons of practicality of Constitution

• Gained support for Federalists

Ratify or nah?

• DE, NJ, and PA first to ratify

• 9 states ratified- waiting on VA and NY

• VA- mostly Anti-Federalists; had to be promised a bill of rights

• NY influenced by Hamilton and VA’s action

Bill of Rights

• Anti-Federalists wanted it• Scared a new government would be tyrannical

without protection of rights

• Federalists against it• Bill of rights would limit rights• Congressmen elected would protect rights

• Adopted by first Congress elected under Constitution

Bill of Rights• 1st: freedom of religion speech, press, assembly, and

petition

• 2nd: right to keep and bear arms

• 3rd: no requirement to quarter troops

• 4th: no unreasonable search or seizure

• 5th: due process, double jeopardy

• 6th: speedy and public trial

• 7th: trial by jury

• 8th: no excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment

• 9th: protects rights not specifically addressed

• 10th: all powers not given to federal government belong to states or people

Four Corners

• The Congress should have more representatives to ensure all viewpoints are represented.

• State governments should be stronger so the federal government does not become too strong.

• State governments should be stronger because they are more aware of issues within the state that need to be addressed.

• If a bill of rights had not been created, the federal government would have trampled on individual rights.

• Outlining a specific Bill of Rights limits individual freedom.

• I remember most of this from civics.

• Judicial: national court system; Supreme Court at top

• Amendments: 2/3 of both houses of Congress and ¾ of state legislatures had to ratify

• Raising an Army: Congress can raise army to deal with military situation

• Collecting Taxes: Congress had the right to collect taxes

• Power over the States: Constitution is the supreme law of the land

• Legislative Branch: 3 branches; executive and judicial added; checks and balances

• Create New Laws: required 50% plus 1 votes of both houses of Congress and the President’s signature