creating the constitution unit two from the articles of confederation to the world’s greatest...
TRANSCRIPT
CREATING THE CONSTITUTIONUnit Two
FROM THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION TO THE
WORLD’S GREATEST DOCUMENT
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
The Articles of Confederation (1781) The Colonists’ first crack at forming a
functioning government - Named the new country the United States of America!!
An agreement outlining the powers of a national government
Forget George, I amthe 1st President of the
United States!!!!
That may be true pal,But here is some more truth, no one knows who you are!!
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
Articles of Confederation (cont’) Two problems made it difficult to accept the A
of C Problem #1: Government TOO strong.
Solution: Create a weak national government Government created by the A of C was just a
central legislature There were no executive or judicial branches Legal disputes left up to the states to decide Most of the power with the states leaving the
national government with little power over the states and citizens.
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
Articles of Confederation (cont’) Problem #2: Some states have more power
than others. Solution: Give each state one vote
One state = one vote regardless of population In certain instances, like declaring war, required at
least 9 votes of the states.
Despite best intentions - The Articles of Confederation were VERY weak!
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
MAJOR WEAKNESSES WOULD BE THE DOWNFALL OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION!! Weakness #1: No money and power to get it.
Congress had no POWER to tax All it could do is request money from a state We had borrowed much money to fund the
Revolutionary War and needed to start paying it back - without the power to tax, Congress was left without a way to pay off the debts
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
MAJOR WEAKNESSES Weakness #2: No power over state governments
and their citizens. Congress had no power to make laws that the
people of the states HAD to follow. No way to make them obey - laws, treaties, etc..
Weakness #3: Unenforceable trade agreements Weakness #4: Unfair competition among the
states Ex. Taxing on both ends
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
MAJOR WEAKNESSES Weakness #5: All 13 states must agree to
change the Articles Most damaging States rarely agreed on anything Articles could NEVER be fixed
By 1786, government leaders realized that the Articles of Confederation simply did not work!!
In 1787, those leaders would meet in Philadelphia to draft a NEW document
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
FINAL STRAW!! Shay’s Rebellion (Aug. 1786 - Jan. 1787):
Daniel Shay was a Capt. in the Continental Army Shay goes to bank to get loan and tries to use Fed.
Note as collateral Only money good in Massachusetts was GOLD. Federal Gov’t won’t exchange note for gold Rock and a hard place!!
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
FINAL STRAW!! Shay’s Rebellion (cont’):
Shay gets together small army and closes down the courthouse
Called a “rebellion - formal uprising” Shay and his army ultimately chased out
of Mass into Vermont Vermont won’t return him and he
ultimately gets pardoned. Shay’s Rebellion was the event that
highlighted that the Articles were not working.
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
DESPITE ALL THE PROBLEMS - WERE ALL THE STATES READY AND WILLING TO RATIFY THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION?
WHAT WAS THE 1ST STEP? Annapolis Convention - Sept. 11 - 16, 1786
Very Unique - normally the drafting of a constitution was reserved for legislature not individual leaders.
What came of this? Invitations issued to 55 delegates to attend
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the Spring of 1787.
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION Starts May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia, PA
Agree on rules - one state = one vote They decide to operate in secrecy - why?
No decision is permanent until the whole plan is finalized.
Who is elected President of the Convention? George Washington - the most respected and
honored man in the country at the time. Although not active in the debates - his
presence was a positive statement for the new constitution.
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION (cont’) Who else was there?
Thomas Jefferson writes to John Adams and calls the convention an “assembly of demigods.” Why do you think he says this?
James MadisonOf all framers, JM hasthe biggest influence
Ben FranklinInternationally respected for
his wisdom
**Roger ShermanRepresentative fromConnecticut who willmake a big name forhimself at the Convention
Edmund RandolphGovernor of Virginia
Alexander HamiltonStrong supporter of a National Government
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION (cont’) Who was NOT there?
Thomas JeffersonU.S. Ambassador to France
John AdamsU.S. Ambassador to
Great Britain
Patrick HenryAgainst a strong
National government