The Articles of Confederation and the ConstitutionChapter 5 Sections 1 - 3

Key Ideas

After the Revolution the 13 states ratify the Articles of Confederation

In 1787 the Constitutional Convention meets to revise the government

After the Constitutional Convention it is left to the 13 states to ratify the new Constitution

The Articles of Confederation

Ratified in 1781

Weak Central Government

Most power resides with the states

Congress couldWage / Declare WarRaise ArmiesSign Treaties w/foreign powers

Congress could notImpose taxesRegulate Trade

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

• The New TerritoriesCongress appointed Governor & 3 JudgesAfter 5000 adult males settle

Those 5000 elect a territorial legislature

After population of territory reaches 60,000

The territory could apply for statehood

Federal Government Lacks Authority

The Treaty of 1783 calls for payment of British merchant loans

No way for new government to enforce thisBritish merchants are angryBritish refuse to leave American land

Spain and Georgia are in a border disputeSpain blocks access to Mississippi RiverFederal Government has no way of forcing Georgia to settle dispute – trade suffers

Shay’s Rebellion 1787Shays Rebellion led by former Rev. War soldier Daniel Shay

Farmers in Mass. angry about taxes attack Mass. Govt. officials

Property owners worry that a weak central govt. cannot protect their rights

Merchants, landowners, & wealthy want stronger central govt.

All call for CHANGE

1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia

Goal is to revise Articles of Confederation

George Washington chosen as presiding officer

55 delegates

The Virginia Plan

Do away with Articles of Confederation

3 Branches of Government

Legislative Branch has 2 Houses• Upper House = Senate• Lower House = House of Reps • Number of Reps for both houses dependent

on state’s population

Smaller states oppose this plan – why?

The New Jersey Plan

Rework the Articles of Confederation

3 Branches of Government

Legislative Branch has 1 House

Number of Reps. is equal for all states regardless of population

Large states oppose this plan

The Great CompromiseSenate = 2 Senators from each state

House of Reps = based on Population

3/5ths CompromiseSlave States want slaves counted for population / representation

Northern States say then they should count for taxes as well

Compromise - 1 slave = 3/5th of a white person

Federalists v. Anti-federalists

Federalists –Strong Central Govt.Includes landowners, merchants, artisans, farmers that rely on interstate tradeImportant players:

Alexander HamiltonJames Madison

Anti-FederalistsStrong State Govt.Afraid of loss of RightsIncluded western farmers, people deeply in debtImportant Players:

Sam AdamsPatrick Henry

The Federalist Papers

85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay

Explained why the new Constitution would be good & how it would work

Still referred to today by judges, lawyers, historians, & law makers to interpret what the Founding Fathers meant

Fight for Ratification9 of 13 states had to ratify Constitution for it to become law

Delegates went back to their states to present it to state govts.

Dec 1787 & Jan 1788 DE, PA, NJ, GA, & CT ratify

Sam Adams protests and threatens to stop ratification in MA

He wants promises against a loss of rightsFederalists promise specific mention of rights in the Constitution after ratificationS. Adams agreesBill of Rights become the first 10 Amendments

Fight for Ratification

June 1788MD, SC, NH, & MA ratify

This makes 9 of the 13 states… BUT

Federalists want to be SURE

NY & VA still needed!

But WHY?

Virginia & New York Two of the largest states

NY is wealthy Merchants Trade Capitalists & Entrepreneurs

Virginia Many influential Patriots

Washington, Jefferson, Henry, etc.

Washington elected as first President by a small group of electors in 1789

Last state to ratify is Rhode Island in 1790