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Explore women's roles post-war, rights, slave inspiration, and government challenges during the Confederation era in the U.S.
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How were women affected by the war? • What did women want after the war? • Were women allowed to vote after the war? • How did the Revolution inspire slaves? • How many African Americans fought for the patriots? • What is emancipation? • Where did emancipation take place after the Revolution? Page 126
State Constitutions • Restricted the power of the governor • Many states restricted terms to 1 year • They could not overturn laws • Reduced the influence of the church on the government
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom • Drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1779 • Government could not control religious beliefs
Articles of Confederation • Presented on July 12, 1776 • Adopted on November 15, 1777 • The Articles created a confederation of states while guaranteeing each state its “sovereignty, freedom, and independence”
Articles of Confederation Strengths • Authorized congress to borrow coin money (State could coin also) • Set policies toward Native Americans • Declare War and Make Peace • Deal with foreign countries and make treaties • Operate a post office
Articles of Confederation Weaknesses • The national government could not force the states to obey its laws. • It did not have the power to tax • It did not have the power to enforce laws • Congress lacked steady leadership • No national army or navy • No system of national courts
Articles of Confederation Weaknesses • Amendments needed the approval of all 13 states • Major legislation needed the approval of 9 states • Some states avoided paying war debt • Each state could issue its own paper money • Each state could put tariffs on trade between states.
Page 136-137 • Why did Congress need money? • What did Congress want to sell to raise money? • How was land divided under the Land Ordinance of 1785? • How much was land being sold for? • Who did this law benefit? • How many people did a territory need to apply for statehood? • What states came out of the Northwest Territory?
Shays’ Rebellion • Massachusetts legislature passed a law that imposed heavy taxes on land to pay war debt • If land owners did not pay the courts would seize their land • “taxation without representation” • Daniel Shays led a rebellion and shut down debtor courts and stopped property auctions
Shays’ Rebellion • December 26, 1786 Shays and 1,200 farmers set out for Springfield, Massachusetts to seize the federal arsenal • The governor called for 4,000 recruits • Shays men attacked in late January • 4 farmers were killed by artillery and Shays men fled
Result of Shays’ Rebellion • The rebellion raised doubts about the central government’s power • Many people called for the Confederation to have more power
What document needed to be amended at the Constitutional Convention? • What were the 2 key things that needed to be changed? • Why were the windows in Independence Hall closed? • Who were the leading thinkers of the convention? • How did both men feel about democracy? Page 142-143
TheGreat Compromise • Proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut • Allowed for equal representation and representation based on population • Each state regardless of size would have equal representation in the upper house • Representation would be based on population in the lower house
The Three-Fifths Compromise • Another problem arose in the convention • Should Slaves be counted as part of the population • Southerners wanted slaves to be counted as part of the population, but northerners objected • Counting the slave population would give southern states more representation • The final agreement was only three-fifths of the slave population would be counted to determine representation
Compromise on Commerce • Northerners favored giving the national government the power to regulate all trade with foreign nations and among the states • The Southern economy depended on export • They feared the government would place tariffs (taxes) on these exports • Government would only be able to levy taxes on imports and not exports • Excluding slave trade until 1807
Completing the Constitution • July 26, 1787 five delegates began drafting the Constitution • The final copy was drafted on September 17, 1787 • 39 delegates signed it then it went to congress and the states for ratification
Federalists • Favored the ratification of the Constitution • Typically wealthy planters, merchants, and lawyers • Supported a strong central government who could ensure a strong currency
Antifederalists • Feared a powerful national government • Offered 3 objections to the Constitution • The delegates of the Constitutional Convention conspired in a “veil of mystery” and had gone beyond what they were charged to do • A strong central government would destroy states rights • The new system of government resembled a monarchy and violated the principle of liberty that guided the revolution
Antifederalists • Pointed out that under the constitution voters did not directly elect the president • Electors who were delegates selected by the state government chose the president • Voters only elected members of the lower house
The Federalist Papers • The federalist wrote a series of 85 essays to answer their critics • Written by Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay • These essays appeared in newspapers throughout the states
Ratifying the Constitution • New York and Virginia did not want to ratify the constitution without a bill of rights • However, by June 21, 1788 enough states had ratified the constitution for it to take effect • New York Federalists threatened to withdraw New York City from the state if the state did not ratify the constitution • Washington and Madison urged Virginia to ratify the constitution • Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution
The Constitution a Living Document Chap 5 sec 3
Delegated Powers • Held by the federal government • Coin money • Regulate trade with foreign nations and among the states • Raise and support an army and a navy
Reserved Powers • Held by state government • Establishing local government • Overseeing schools
Concurrent Powers • Held jointly by state government and federal government • Levying and collecting taxes • Borrowing money • Providing the public welfare • Establishing courts • Enforcing laws
Supremacy Clause • Found in article VI of the Constitution • “This Constitution, and the laws …and all treaties…of the United States shall be supreme law of the land”
Separation of Powers • Legislative branch makes the laws • Executive branch enforces the laws • Judicial branch interprets the laws
Executive Branch • Responsibilities • Head of the Government • Sets foreign policy • Commander and chief of the armed forces
Legislative Branch • The United States Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives
The House of Representatives • 435 members • Its major power is to pass federal legislation
Democrat: 188 Republican 245 Vacant: 2
The House of Representatives • California 53 • Texas 32 • New York 29 • New Jersey 13 • Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming each have 1
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy Minority Leader Nancy Polosi
Speaker of the House John Boehner
Your Congressman Congressman Leonard Lance
The Senate • Upper house of the Legislative Branch • 100 members • 6 year terms • Powers include ratifying treaties and confirming the appointment of Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, ambassadors, and others
Democrats 53 Republicans 45 Independent 2
Your Senators Cory Booker Robert Menendez
Electoral College • 538 electors • Elect president and vice president • Winner takes all except for Maine and Nebraska • 270 votes are needed to become president
What is the smallest amount of states that will win the 270 majority?
Presidential Powers to check Congress • The president can Veto any bill passed by congress • Veto-official rejection of legislation • Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote
