What do you think about the A of C?

1. What do you think about the A of C?

2. CN4: Declaration of Independence The Dof I did not create a new U.S. government or statewhat form such a government should take; •  It did however, state that • it should be based on the consent of the governed; • it should secure, not reduce, natural rights; and • it should lay its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to the peoples shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

3. It was generally understood that the “consent of the governed” was given by convening a group of (directly or indirectly) elected delegates who would draft a constitution (in effect, a social contract) that would be subject to some form of popular ratification (by which the constitution/social contract would be agreed to) • It was further understood that the existing states would remain in existence as significant political entities.

4. CN5: How was the new U.S. governed?

5. Prior to the Declaration of Independence: • Colonies had considerable self government: • elected local/town governments • popularly elected (lower house, at least) colonial legislatures • appointed (royal) governors • built-in conflict between legislature and executive • LocalGovernments: • far from universal (but much more extensive than in Britain): primarily adult white males owning some property • voting (and office-holding) qualifications varied across colonies and were often “scaled” to office

6. After the Declaration of Independence: State Level • Colonial governments => state governments • States held constitutional conventions to draft new constitutions. • Typically: • Bicameral legislature (both houses elected) • Governor (a weak office, usually selected by the legislature, with a short term and few powers) • Suffrage and office-holding qualifications generally liberalized (but still not universal)

7. After the Declaration of Independence: National/continental level • The provisional Second Continental Congress remained in session and supervised the war effort and drafted a set of Articles of Confederation and sent them to the states for ratification in November 1777, which were not ratified and put into effect until March 1781.

8. CN6: Articles of Confederation • The A of C are commonly and correctly said to have provided for only a “weak” central government. • Under the A. of C., the central government may be described as “government by the states and of the states.”

9. Confederal Congress • appointed by their state governments; moreover • they did not have fixed terms, so • they could be recalled at any time, and • they were paid by their state governments, not the U.S.

10. Voting in the unicameralConfederal Congress: • Each state delegation in Congress cast one vote (regardless of the size of the delegation or the population of the state). • State delegations could have 2-7 members. • A 7/13 (simple majority) vote was sufficient only for procedural and minor questions. • A 9/13 (supramajoity) vote was required for major questions including $$$. • A 13/13 (unanimity) vote was required to approve amendments to the A. of C.

11. Congress was the sole part of the central government. • There was no central government executive or judiciary. • Congress had an “executive committee” (Council of States) that remained in session year round. • Congress (in particular, the Council of States) supervised the several central government departments, e.g., Treasury, Army, Navy.

12. CN7: Strengths and weaknesses of the A of C

13. America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 The Articles of Confederation Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Declare War & Establish an Army/Navy No Power to Draft Soldiers

14. America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 The Articles of Confederation Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Make Peace & Sign Treaties No Power to Enforce Treaties

15. America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 The Articles of Confederation Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: No Power to Collect Taxes from the States Borrow Money

16. America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 The Articles of Confederation Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Organize a Post Office

17. America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 The Articles of Confederation Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: No Chief Executive No national court system No Power to Regulate Interstate Commerce No National Currency Difficult to Pass laws (2/3 vote)

18. America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 The Articles of Confederation Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Difficult to Amend (unanimous vote needed to change the articles)