The Articles of The Articles of Confederation- 1777Confederation- 1777

First system of government First system of government used by the United States.used by the United States.

The Main IdeasThe Main Ideas Only one branch of government (unicameral) Only one branch of government (unicameral)

called Congress.called Congress. States controlled most of the power.States controlled most of the power. Congress could declare war, make treaties, Congress could declare war, make treaties,

print money, deliver mail. print money, deliver mail. Congress controlled Indian affairs.Congress controlled Indian affairs. Congress could not tax the states, enforce Congress could not tax the states, enforce

laws, regulate trade between states.laws, regulate trade between states. Any decisions or changes made by Congress Any decisions or changes made by Congress

had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states.had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states. Made it Made it very difficult to make any changes for the nation.very difficult to make any changes for the nation.

ProblemsProblems

Without taxes the Country could not pay off Without taxes the Country could not pay off debts.debts.

Without trade rules, arguments between states Without trade rules, arguments between states hurt commerce.hurt commerce.

Congress could pass laws but not enforce them.Congress could pass laws but not enforce them. Each state had one vote regardless of its size.Each state had one vote regardless of its size. No executive branch or court system.No executive branch or court system. Congress could not raise an army without the Congress could not raise an army without the

states’ permission.states’ permission.

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

In short, the national government In short, the national government did not have enough authority to did not have enough authority to effectively rule.effectively rule.

Things were a mess!Things were a mess! States were not united as a country.States were not united as a country. Something had to change.Something had to change.

A Constitutional A Constitutional Convention-1787Convention-1787

Delegates met to revise Delegates met to revise (change) the Articles of (change) the Articles of Confederation.Confederation.

Instead they agreed to Instead they agreed to create a new create a new constitution.constitution.

They created the US They created the US Constitution, which we Constitution, which we still use today.still use today.

Debating the FrameworkDebating the Framework James Madison designed a James Madison designed a

framework for a new framework for a new government.government.

He suggested replacing the He suggested replacing the current weak central current weak central government with a strong one.government with a strong one.

The one state/one vote system The one state/one vote system would be replaced by a system would be replaced by a system based on a state’s population. based on a state’s population. (Virginia Plan)(Virginia Plan)

Georgia supported the idea, but Georgia supported the idea, but smaller states objected that they smaller states objected that they would be less important.would be less important.

Two Plans for the Two Plans for the ConstitutionConstitution

Virginia Plan – called for a bicameral legislature Virginia Plan – called for a bicameral legislature (2 houses), with representation in the houses (2 houses), with representation in the houses based on state population. More populated based on state population. More populated states get more votes in the legislature.states get more votes in the legislature.

New Jersey Plan – called for a unicameral New Jersey Plan – called for a unicameral legislature (1 house), with each state getting legislature (1 house), with each state getting only vote. Votes not determined by population.only vote. Votes not determined by population.

States had a hard time agreeing, because the States had a hard time agreeing, because the smaller less populated states did not agree with smaller less populated states did not agree with the Virginia Plan, and the more populated the Virginia Plan, and the more populated states did not agree with the New Jersey Plan.states did not agree with the New Jersey Plan.

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise A compromise was reached that satisfied both sides.A compromise was reached that satisfied both sides. A bicameral (two house) legislature was created.A bicameral (two house) legislature was created. The House of Representatives would be based on a state’s The House of Representatives would be based on a state’s

population. population. (Virginia Plan)(Virginia Plan) The Senate would include two representatives from each The Senate would include two representatives from each

state regardless of the states population. state regardless of the states population. (New Jersey Plan)(New Jersey Plan)

The Constitution The Constitution Three branches of government were also Three branches of government were also

created to provide a system of checks and created to provide a system of checks and balances.balances.

Congress was divided into two houses to Congress was divided into two houses to balance power between the states.balance power between the states.

House of Representatives decided by population.House of Representatives decided by population. (satisfied the large states)(satisfied the large states)

Senate gave each state two representatives. Senate gave each state two representatives. (satisfied the smaller states)(satisfied the smaller states)

Approved a 3/5ths compromise for all slaves. Approved a 3/5ths compromise for all slaves. William Few and Abraham Baldwin signed for William Few and Abraham Baldwin signed for

GeorgiaGeorgia..

William FewWilliam Few

Was elected to the Georgia Assembly Was elected to the Georgia Assembly (legislature for the state) and helped (legislature for the state) and helped establish Georgia’s Constitution in establish Georgia’s Constitution in 1777. 1777.

In 1780, he was elected to the In 1780, he was elected to the Continental Congress, before Continental Congress, before eventually representing Georgia at eventually representing Georgia at the Constitutional Convention in the Constitutional Convention in 1787.1787.

Abraham BaldwinAbraham Baldwin

Was a chaplain (minister to soldiers) Was a chaplain (minister to soldiers) during the American Revolution.during the American Revolution.

He practiced law and help establish the He practiced law and help establish the University of Georgia. University of Georgia.

Had the last deciding vote on which plan Had the last deciding vote on which plan would be accepted for the national would be accepted for the national government (Virginia Plan or the New government (Virginia Plan or the New Jersey Plan). Jersey Plan).

His vote resulted in a tie between the two His vote resulted in a tie between the two plans, which led to the plans, which led to the great compromisegreat compromise..

Improvements with the Improvements with the ConstitutionConstitution

Federal Government Federal Government has more power than has more power than the states.the states.

Congress can collect Congress can collect taxes and regulate taxes and regulate trade between states.trade between states.

Bill of Rights Bill of Rights guarantees individual guarantees individual rights such as Freedom rights such as Freedom of Speech and religion.of Speech and religion.

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights(Secured the freedom fought for during (Secured the freedom fought for during

the American Revolution)the American Revolution)

1.1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition 2.2. Right to keep and bear arms Right to keep and bear arms 3.3. Conditions for quarters of soldiers Conditions for quarters of soldiers 4.4. Right of search and seizure regulated Right of search and seizure regulated 5.5. Provisons concerning prosecution Provisons concerning prosecution 6.6. Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc. Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc. 7.7. Right to a trial by jury Right to a trial by jury 8.8. Excessive bail, cruel punishment Excessive bail, cruel punishment 9.9. Rule of construction of Constitution Rule of construction of Constitution 10.10. Rights of the States under ConstitutionRights of the States under Constitution

Creating a Government Note Check

Choose either A (Articles of Confederation) or C (Constitution) to identify which form of government is represented by each statement or phrase.

______ 1. The first system of government used by the United States.______ 2. A bicameral Congress helped balance power between states.______ 3. Had a strong central (federal) government.______ 4. Could pass laws but not enforce them.______ 5. Was signed by Abraham Baldwin and William Few.______ 6. Created a system of checks and balances.______ 7. Used only a legislative branch of government.______ 8. Required 9 of 13 states to approve any changes.______ 9. Did not have the power to collect taxes.______ 10. Included the Bill of Rights.