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1783 – The new government faced problems
1785 – The Annapolis Convention
1787 – The Constitutional Convention
The Constitution was written
1788 – Nine states had ratified the
Constitution
1789 – George Washington became the first
President
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In 1783 the Peace of Paris was signed
America won the war and it’s independence
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No longer under British rule.
America had to make a new government.
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In 1781 the states agreed to a central
government
Adopted the Articles of Confederation
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During the war states worked together to
fight the British
After winning their independence the states
felt differently.
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No state was willing to give up the right to
govern themselves.
Coming up with a plan of government that all
would be happy with was just one of their
problems.
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There was a problem with land claims in the
western part of the nation.
Overlapping land claims made it difficult for
settlers to get help fighting Indians or
Spaniards.
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A workable system of land ownership was
devised.
Plans were made to permit new states to be
formed.
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English merchants became wealthy and powerful by
trading with the colonies.
United States was not considered an equal trading
partner.
After war, England closed its ports to American
shippers.
English merchants continued to send their goods
to the United States and could undersell American
manufacturers
Americans had to find new trading partners to
survive.
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The Spanish controlled Florida, New Orleans, and
land west of the Mississippi River
Had little respect for new nation.
Americans were unwelcome in the southern region.
Spain would not let them ship from New Orleans.
Western settlers had to travel overland.
a. difficult route
b. slow and costly.
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United States too weak to force the Spanish to
change their policy.
Without respect of Spain, England, or even France,
the young country was not doing well.
It became obvious something needed to be done.
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Government of the 13 states was weak under
Articles of Confederation.
9 of 13 state each had to give approval before
Congress could do anything.
No power to levy taxes or place duties on imported
items.
With less money coming in the debt was increasing.
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States were printing their own money.
Sometimes wouldn’t be accepted by the state or other states.
Congress lacked authority to regulate trade between states.
States began to treat each other as separate countries.
a. used tariffs
b. caused reduction in interstate trade.
This encouraged British to send more products.
British goods were bought instead of American goods.
There were no United States courts.
State courts could not settle disputes between states.
Country was out of control and needed change!!!!
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Everyone did not agree with the Articles of
Confederation.
Businessmen, merchants, shippers, manufacturers,
and bankers wanted a strong government
Unable to protect themselves from unfair laws that
Great Britain passed.
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Maryland and Virginia were having disagreement
over commercial rights on the Potomac River.
James Madison suggested a convention be held in
Annapolis, MD
All states were invited. Only 5 sent representatives.
Not even Maryland sent a representative.
Not much was accomplished
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Farmers were upset by low farm prices and high
state taxes.
Leader Daniel Shay lead a rebellion.
a. closed courthouses
b. almost captured a store house of weapons
Rebellion happened in Massachusetts in winter of
1786.
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Delegates met in May of 1787 at the State House in
Philadelphia.
All states attended but Rhode Island.
55 of the most respected Americans were present.
Philadelphia State House
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It was decided all sessions were to be held in
secret.
George Washington was chosen to lead the
convention.
It was a wise choice the difficult convention needed
a man of his ability and leadership.
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The main purpose of the convention was to adjust
the Articles of Confederation.
One new plan from Edmund Randolph of Virginia
included
a. stronger central government
b. greater control by the larger states
c. became known as the “large state plan”
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The Large State Plan (VIRGINIA PLAN)
The plan was to establish a congress to
a. make laws
b. to enforce the laws
c. guarantee justice under the law
The Congress was to be divided into two branches
a. Legislators in the lower house would be elected
by the people.
b. Upper house would be chosen by the members
of the lower house.
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The Small State Plan (NEW JERSEY PLAN)
William Patterson of New Jersey presented an
alternative plan.
a. Like the one already in existence
b. Each state had equal vote.
c. States have more control of the government.
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The debate became very heated and tempers were
short.
Delegates were ready to quit.
Ben Franklin calmed everyone down .
George Washington kept a firm control and
encouraged the delegates to be both cooperative
and willing to compromise.
A special committee was formed to try to work out
a compromise.
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The Compromise Committee presented its report to the
convention.
a. Legislative branch made up of two houses
1. The House of Representatives
2. Senate
b. The house of Representatives would be made up according to
the population. The state with more people had more
representative
c. Senate have two representatives from each state
d. As law makers each branch would be equal except that all
money bills would be started in the House.
e. Plan called the “Great Compromise” was accepted on
July 16, 1787.
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Southern States wanted slaves to be represented in
the population count.(3/5 COMPROMISE)
President elected as the head of the executive
branch
◦ He would serve 4 year term
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Supreme Court highest court
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Trade was a concern to all states.
a. Congress to regulate trade between states and foreign
countries.
1. Duties would no be allowed between states
2. Taxes would be permitted between US and foreign
countries.
Key issue for southern states was runaway slaves
a. slaves that ran away should be returned to their owners.
Compromises did not please everyone
Delegates signed the Constitution with the hope that states
would approve it.
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Need to decide if the Constitution should be cornerstone of new
government.
Nine of the thirteen state ratified it
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
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Those who supported Constitution – Federalists
Those who opposed Constitution – Anti-Federalists…they had
concerns about:
a. gave to much power to central government
b. increase in taxes
c. did not provide protection for the protection of personal freedom
d. did not clearly explain the rights of citizens
Federalists Take Action
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The Federalists – led by Alexander Hamilton, James
Madison
and John Jay fought hard for its ratification.
Published a series of essays called Federalists
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The papers were circulated throughout the states
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Papers
Constitution is Ratified
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The first state to ratify was Delaware.
In June of 1788 the United States officially had a
new government when 8 more states ratified
Without the support of Virginia and New York the
government would be at a disadvantage.
On June 25, 1788 Virginia ratifies
On July 26, 1788 New York ratifies
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George Washington was elected President
John Adams was Vice-President
The Cabinet was formed
 Four departments were created to help the President.
a. Secretary of State
b. Secretary of Treasury
c. Secretary of War
d. Attorney General
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Some states did not like the Constitution
Suggested provisions be added for personal
freedoms
In 1791 10 amendments were added to the
constitution
This became know as the Bill of Rights