The Articles of Confederation

1. The Articles of Confederation Agreed to by Congress November 15, 1777; ratified and in force, March 1, 1781. Preamble To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting. Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Article I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America.“ Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled. Article III. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.

2. III. What was our first Constitution? • A. The Articles of Confederation 1781-1789 • B. How was the national government organized under the Articles of Confederation? • 1. One-House legislature—The Confederation Congress • 2. Each state—One vote • 3. National government had no power to tax • 4. 9 states out of 13 had to approve any law

3. C. Achievements • 1. The Treaty of Paris 1783 • 2. The Northwest Ordinance - Allowed for territories in Northwest region to organize and become states. Abolished slavery in new states

6. D. Problems with the Articles of Confederation 1. The National Government did not have money and had no power to tax. 2. The National Government had no power over the states or their citizens 3. The National Government could not make the states live up to trade agreements with other nations 4. The National government had no power over trade between states 5. The National Government could not protect its citizens.

7. The Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 to Sept. 17, 1787 • A. Who attended • 1. 55 delegates from 12 states • a. all white • b. All male • c. Average age—42 • d. ¾ of the delegates had been • members of the Confederation Congress • f. For the most part all were rich

8. Major Players • 1. George Washington • 1732-1799

9. 2. George Mason • 1725-1792

10. 3. Ben Franklin • 1706-1790

11. 4. James Madison • 1751-1836

12. 5. Edmund Randolph • 1753-1813

13. 6. Martin Luther • 1740-1826

14. 7. Alexander Hamilton 1755-1804

15. 8. Gouverneur Morris 1752-1816

16. 9. Roger Sherman 1721-1793

17. 10. Oliver Ellsworth 1745-1807

18. 11. Charles Pinckney 1757-1824

19. 12. John Rutledge 1739-1800

20. V. The Conflict over Representation or in other words, how to make a fair Congress • Conflict between Big States and Small States • 1. Small states were afraid Big states would control the new Congress. Small states wanted equal representation. • a. The New Jersey Plan—Small states wanted one house where each state had one vote. • 2. Big States thought it unfair that small states had so much power. Big states wanted proportional representation. • a. The Virginia Plan—Big states wanted two houses where representation was determined by population..

21. The Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan) • 1. Congress would have two houses. Bills had to pass both houses to become law • a. The House of Representatives (Lower House) • i. Elected by the people • ii. Based on proportional representation • iii. The House of Representatives had sole authority to start tax or spending laws.

22. b. The Senate (Upper House) i. Appointed by the states (then) ii. Equal representation—two senators for each state iii. The Senate would confirm all judges and ambassadors and approve treaties

23. VI Passing the Constitution A. State Conventions 1. Madison’s Plan: a. Each State had to approve the Constitution by calling a state wide convention. Madison believed that this would allow the most people to vote on the Constitution. The State legislatures would not vote on the Constitution b. 9 out of 13 states had to approve the Constitution before it became law.

24. B. Anti-Federalists vs. Federalists 1787 – 1788 Anti-Federalists Federalists

25. Political parties • The Framers’ Opinion • They believed Political parties or factions were dangerous. • 2. Madison believed the Constitution could control Political Parties

26. B. The Birth of Political parties. Hamilton (Treasury) Jefferson (State)

27. Hamilton Jefferson

28. Federalists Hamiltonians Hamilton Jefferson Democrat -Republicans Jeffersonians