The
Confederation
and
Constitution
Chevalier
Fall 2014
Articles of Confederation
 Ch.
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
9 Themes
Economic democracy preceded political
democracy in America
Excellent political leadership to nation build
Articles created a WEAK central gov’t by
design. It was our FALSE START
We wrote a second constitution in 1787 that
created a STRONG central gov’t with 3
branches
Confederacy

I. Pursuit of equality

Property qualifications, trade unions, inheritance
laws, antislavery societies

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Women, slavery
II. A of C

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Went into effect in 1781, when states gave up
claims to western lands in the old Northwest. It’s
main strength was…
Weak by design-didn’t have power to…

Pirates, rebellions, British forts, Spanish, French

Americans began to consider a stronger gov’t.
Confederacy
 III.


A of C Triumphs
Land Ordinance Act of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
■Grid system
was created by
Thomas Jefferson…
■Structured and organized
land policy
Northwest
Territory
■Allowed for a peaceful
purchase of land.
■Promoted an orderly
expansion westward..
■Confederation Congress
convinced states who claimed
land out west to cede their
land to the US Govt.
■US Govt. was to come up
with a fair and reasonable land
policy…..Unlike the
Proclamation of 1763….
Ohio
1ST STEP
2nd STEP
3rd STEP
WHEN PEOPLE
FIRST SETTLE IN
THE AREA:
5,000 FREE ADULT
MALES:
60,000 SETTLERS:
Congress appoints a
governor and three
judges to govern the
territory
Landowners elect a
congress to make laws
and raise taxes with
approval of governor. 1
representative is elected
to the US Congress who
can debate but not vote.
Becomes a state, with its
own government and
constitution. New states
admitted with same rights
as the original states. No
more than 5 states can
carved out of this area.
The Northwest Ordinance encouraged ideals of republicanism
(representative democracy) religious freedom, protection of liberty and
property, encouraged education, admitted new states and no slavery.
IV. Constitutional Convention
 1787-
ALEXANDER HAMILTON and JAMES
MADISON were NATIONALISTS who
desired a health, strong national
government.

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Convened to REVISE the Articles
3 important decisions made on first day
Protect America from its weaknesses
abroad and excesses at home
Philadelphia Convention
 V.


VA Plan Diagram
NJ Plan Diagram
Great Compromise
 VI.
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Other compromises
Electoral College Compromise
3/5 Compromise
Slave Trade Compromise
 VII.
Constitution sent to STATE
CONVENTIONS to be ratified.
VIII. Ratification
 9/13
needed to ratify
 Federalists vs. Antifederalists debate

Where did the SOVEREIGNTY (free power)
of the people reside?
 Uphill


battle from the start
The Federalist Papers Thesis
Bill of Rights