Creating a Nation

The treaty ending the war with Britain,

more than doubled

the territory of the United

States!

During the American Revolution, our forefathers

created a form of government for the United

States known as a Republic. In a REPUBLIC, the people rule through

elected representatives.

Our first national government(our first republic) was known as

the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION• Created a “firm league of friendship”.• Required 9 of 13 states to approve laws.• Could not regulate trade or raise taxes.• Did not allow Congress to declare war,

appoint military officers, and coin money.• Did not have a president or executive to

carry out the laws.

Our first constitution, the

Articles of Confederation, was

created on November 15, 1777, and was

RATIFIED (approved) on March 1, 1781

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The Articles of Confederation government proved to not be strong enough

to keep the country unified.

Other Problems with the Articles

• There was a huge war debt, and Congress couldn’t force states to pay taxes.

• Congress had printed more money, but there wasn’t enough gold and silver to back it up. Printing extra money can lead to INFLATION (an increase in the price of goods).

• States were also printing their own money.

Not knowing the value of a dollar in

each state was confusing, and hurt economic

activity.

Despite its problems, the Articles of Confederation had some

successes:• It governed the nation during the

Revolution.• It successfully negotiated the Treaty of

1783. The two biggest successes of the first government were:

The Land Ordinance of 1785 The Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Disputes Over Western Lands

• One of the earliest problems to arise was what to do with lands gained from Britain.

• Little states didn’t like having the big states control so much territory.

Small states worried that bigger states

would become too

powerful. For instance, if tax

laws were passed, they could just sell

off land to make money.

Land Ordinance of 1785

• Helped settle the Northwest Territory

• Divided land into townships

• Each township had 36 sections.

• Each section was 1 square mile or 640 acres.

Land in Ohio was the first to be surveyed

under the Ordinance.

The 36 sections can be further divided into smaller pieces.

The Northwest Ordinance

• Set up governments in the region.

• Could become a state with 60,000 free settlers.

• When new states were let in, they would be treated as equals.

• Slavery was not allowed north of the Ohio River.

After the Revolution, America went through an ECONOMIC DEPRESSION. Farmers were especially hit hard, and many could not repay their loans.

In Massachusetts, taxes were further raised and banks began seizing property of people who owed money.

A farmer named Daniel Shays led a revolt. This revolt called SHAY’S REBELLION showed the Articles of Confederation were not working and needed fixing.

Shay’s Rebellion helped show the Articles of Confederation government was not working.

It was decided that delegates from the different states would meet during the summer of 1787 in

Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has a rich

history, as it was one time

America’s largest city and former capital.

Originally the delegates were only going to fix the Articles of

Confederation. They ended up creating a whole new constitution.

The work they were able to accomplish, became known as

“The Miracle at Philadelphia”.

It truly was!!!

James Madison“The Father of the

Constitution”

• Wrote the “Virginia Plan” that proposed a new government for the United States

Madison – Delegate from Virginia

• Read and studied before the convention.

• Took a seat close to the front so he could see all of the action.

• Kept clear and concise notes of what happened.

• Wanted an accurate record kept for future generations.

The Pennsylvania Statehouse, now known as

Independence Hall. Site of the Constitutional Convention

The Convention

Begins

• All states except Rhode Island sent delegates.

• Began on May 25, 1787.

• George Washington Served as president of the convention

George Washington’s Desk and ChairThe windows and doors were shut and locked at Independence Hall.

Two Plans Emerge

• The Virginia Plan which favored the big states.

• The New Jersey Plan which favored the smaller states.

The Virginia Plan• Called for a strong national

government with 3 branches—executive, legislative, and judicial.

• The legislature would be divided into two houses with representatives based on population.

• Under the Articles of Confederation, each state had been given 1 vote no matter its size.

The New Jersey Plan

• Also called for a federal government with 3 branches—legislative, executive, and judicial.

• The legislature would have only 1 house, and every state would receive 1 vote.

• Small states felt they would always get out-voted if it wasn’t this way.

There was a great debate between the delegates of both large and

small states.

Large states argue that because they have more people, they should have more representation. Smaller

states respond by saying their interests will never be listened to.

Roger Sherman, a delegate from

Connecticut came up with a COMPROMISE.

Although not popular with

all delegates, the Great

Compromise may have saved the

Constitutional Convention of

1787.

The Great Compromise

• Have the 3 Branches of Government.• Divide the legislative branch in two.• The lower house will be called the

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and will be based on population.

• The upper house will be called the SENATE, and all states will receive two votes.

The delegates narrowly approved the Great Compromise.

Next they dealt with the 3/5 COMPROMISE. It was agreed that 3/5 of slaves in any state could be

counted for taxation and representation. The importation of

slaves was allowed to continue for 20 more years.

For 8 more weeks the Constitutional Convention continued. Other issues were discussed, like the length of a presidential

term and how to organize the court system. Not all were happy with the

document, and some left the convention, vowing to defeat the Constitution.

On September 17, 1787, the Constitution was ready. One by one, the remaining

delegates came forward to sign the document.

Constitution Day is September 17, 1787!!!