Creating a Strong Government Post-Independence

1. Independent Now what?

2. Vocabulary • Constitution • Executive • Amendment • Judicial • Impeachment • Separation of powers • Checks and balances • Bicameral • Ratification

3. Create our own new Government • After Independence was declared each state had create state governments by creating constitutions • In these constitutions, Governors were the chief executive who appointed key state officials. • But most of the power was in the hands of the state legislators • New Jersey the only state who gave women the right to vote. Rescinded in1807

4. Virginia’s State Constitution • Virginia Bill of Rights• Freedom of Religion• Freedom of the Press• Trial by Jury• Limits on Searches• Limits on Arrests• No Cruel and Unusual Punishment • Declaration of Independence listed the rights the King violate • State wanted to insure rights were protected by including them in their Constitution

5. Articles of Confederation • 1777 The Document that created the government for the new United States! • One branch government…Legislature only…………Congress All states = had 1 vote • Most power was in the hands of the states • Congress couldn’t collect taxes, or regulate trade • Congress could deal with foreign nations and with Native Americans outside the 13 states. • It could make laws, declare war, coin or borrow money, and run a postal service. • The national government had no power to enforce the laws that it made.

6. Settling Western Lands • Congress devise system for land sales and settlement. • Investors wantland in Northwest Territory. They pressed Congress to determine how N.W. Territory governed. • Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. • Guaranteed basic rights for settlers and banned slavery there.

7. Growing Problems Americans concluded the Articles did not give the government enough power to solve problems. Economic Problems: Each state set it own trading laws. Congress couldn’t tax Foreign affairs: America seemed week to other countries Shay’s Rebellion: Economic depression in country. Mass.farmers hit hard. State gov.seized farmers to not paying taxes 1000 farmers lead by Daniel Shay, Mass militia stopped rebellion, people wanted central Gov. to protect from unrests

8. Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak? • What we didn’t like about the British. . • Taxation without representation • Large central government (monarchy) had all the power • States always had to listen to the king • All power was in the King’s hands. • King could change the rules/laws any time • So the Articles of Confederation… • Federal government could not tax • States didn’t have to follow laws and treaties. • States had their own laws and didn’t have to follow any other states’ laws • No executive branch or national court system. • Any amendment required all 13 states

9. What’s the Problem? • Federal government could not tax; very difficult to raise money. • States didn’t have to follow laws and treaties. • Each State had its own laws. • No executive branch or national court system. • Any amendment required all 13 states, so very difficult to modify.

10. Convention Called • Congress asked the states to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia in 1787. • Their task was to revise the Articles of Confederation.

11. Review • Write out vocabulary words. • Independence required new government! • States primary concern government would not have too much power • Gov. couldn’t: tax, regulate trade, no executive and judicial branch, or enforce laws that Congress pass. • Weak government didn’t work, poor economy, Shay’s rebellion, seen as weak! • Need new government