Creating a Republic: A Loose Confederation and the Constitutional Convention

1. Chapter 7:Creating a Republic 1776 – 1790 Is isn’t as easy as we thought it would be!

2. Section 1:A Loose Confederation • We won the war. • Hooray! WE are now the United States of America!!! Woo hoo! • Now what?!?! • States write (state) constitutions • Some include a bill of rights; most just explain how gov’t. is to function

3. Articles of Confederation • 1st written form of national gov’t. in U.S. • Actually created during the war (1777) • Reality: The states didn’t want to give up power to a central (federal) gov’t. • Were afraid of another king • Created a loose confederation of states • Many, many problems! (weaknesses)

4. Congress Could Maintain an army Declare war and peace Make treaties/alliances with other nations Borrow money Establish a post office Regulate coinage Manage affairs with Native Americans Have input: each state had 1 vote in legislature Congress Could Not Levy taxes on states Prevent states from issuing their own money Elect a president Amend the articles without consent of all 13 states Require states to provide money for running the nat’l. gov’t. Regular trade/commerce Enforce a law in any state that did not accept that law Could not establish a court system to settle differences between states (example: NY and NH both claimed VT) National Gov’t. Under the A of C

5. Land (Northwest) Ordinance of 1785 *Set up a system for organizing the NW Territory Divided the areas into townships 6 miles x 6 miles Further divided into 36 sections (1 x 1) $ from the sale of section 16 goes to support schools/education *Established government for NW Territory How states can enter union Slavery isn’t necessary in these states *Signs of this exist in Midwest today! Just fly over and see!

6. 1st True Test of the A of C:Shay’s Rebellion Violated Treaty: refused to leave Ohio Valley b/c furs Amer. cheating on Treaty, too. Effects Britain Shay’s Rebellion 1786: Vets from War Daniel Shays— Vet, farmer, debtor (Mass) Causes Debtors vs. Creditors Annapolis Convention Sept. ’86 Only 6 states came Spain Did not recognize Treaty; closed Miss. Ri. to U.S. travel Creditors want higher taxes to make their $ back  foreclosures Constitutional Convention May – Sept 1787 Philadelphia “We’ll strengthen the A of C.”

7. Section 2:The Constitutional Convention • Who? 55 delegates, inc. Geo Washington (Pres. of the Convention), Ben Franklin, James Madison "The Father of the Constit.", Alex Hamilton, no Rhode Island • What? + Why? "Rewrite" the A of Conf., but saw need to start from scratch. Secret talks-doors, windows shut. • When? May- Sept. 1787 • Where? Philadelphia, Penn. "Pennsylvania State House", today called "Independence Hall"

9. Details about the Constitution • Original document: 1787 • Preamble (introduction): explains the purpose of the Constitution • 7 Articles • explain how the 3 branches will work, • explains relationships between states, • how to amend (change) the Constit. • NO Bill of Rights in the original document; • NO Amendments in the original document

11. THE CONSTITUTION IS THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! • No law that individual states may pass can go against what is written in the Constitution.

12. Section 3:Ideas Behind the Constitution • Really Old Ideas • Greece: a Democracy- a form of gov’t in which citizens rules themselves; vote on issues, etc. • Rome: a Republic- a form of gov't in which citizens rule themselves thru elected representatives • Who serve b/c they wanted to without pay • (Turned into a dictatorship eventually)

13. Not Quite as Old Ideas (but still pretty old…) • Magna Carta: 1215- King John • forced King to NOT be a dictator; consult a council (who became Parliament) • English Bill Of Rights- 1689 • protects rights of citizens • trial by jury • habeas corpus (Latin: you shall have the body — which means, right to appear in court) • bear arms

14. Enlightenment Ideas • John Locke 1. All people have the right (natural right) to life, liberty, property 2. Gov't. is a contract/ agreement btwn the people and the ruler • if he isn't doing his job, people have a right to rebel

15. Enlightenment Ideas • Baron de Montesquieu • Written law it VITAL • Power should be divided into 3 branches- • legislative- makes laws • executive- carries out laws • judicial- judges/interprets laws • Separation of powers • prevents any one person or group from getting too much power

16. American Ideas • Mayflower Compact – 1620 • Virginia House of Burgesses – 1619 • Most colonies have written Constitutions • Some guarantee basic rights • All explain how gov’t. functions

17. Federalists Want a strong federal (central or national) gov't. A of C gave too much power to states; too weak overall "This doc. protects states rights and powers" (Constitution as written) James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay wrote "The Federalist Papers" “Too long of a list to include all rights." Antifederalists Felt constit. gave too much power to fed. gov't., left states too weak Prez. too powerful "no more kings" Needs a Bill of Rights to protect individuals Patrick Henry, George Mason, John Adams “A gov't can't function properly without it, though!" Section 4:Ratification and the Bill of Rights Two opinions about whether the original document, with just the 7 articles, was enough. Sparked a national debate.

18. Ratification of Original Constitution • 1st to Ratify: Delaware • “The Constitution State” • 9 of the 13 states had to approve Constitution, and then it became law FOR ALL • Happened by June of 1788

19. The Bill of Rights • 1789 • 12 amendments were proposed • 10 were approved • Became known as “Bill of Rights” • Guarantees: • “The Big 5” (1st amendment) • Speech, press, assembly, petition, religion • Rights of the accused • Including trial by jury, habeas corpus, due process of law • Discusses division of state and federal responsibility