Bellringer
“…Article 6. There shall be neither slavery Define Federalism.
nor involuntary servitude in the said
The division of power between
territory otherwise than in the punishment
states and the federal (central)
of crimes whereof the part shall have been
government
duly convicted”
Based on this excerpt from the Northwest What was the problem with the Articles of
Ordinance (1787), which statement is a
Confederation?
valid conclusion
The states were too strong while
1) The issue of slavery was largely ignored
the fed was too weak. The fed
prior to the Civil War
could not raise an army or taxes.
2) Abolitionists had gained control of the
Constitutional Convention
3) Slavery was legally banned in the
Northwest Territory
4) Enslaved persons had constitutionally
protected civil rights
Bell ringer
Provide
-Mayflower
two Compact
examples of early
-House
colonial
of Burgesses
attempts at self
government
ToWhat
raise was
money
pay offthe
war
theto
purpose
debts.
It created
a wayofto1787
Northwest
Ordinance
admitand
newwhat
states
did it do?
Articles
Confederation
Whatofwas
the name of
The
Federalfirst
government
was
America’s
government?
weaker
states
Whatthan
was the
wrong
with it?
Constitutional America
Review
The newly independent America was distrustful of strong government, and created a
weak central government known as the Articles of Confederation. Under the Articles
of Confederation the Federal Government was too weak. They could not pay war
debts, raise an army or enforce its decisions. When Daniel Shay’s led a rebellion
against the Massachusetts tax system, it took a year to shut it down.
Constitutional Convention
55 delegates from all the states (except Rhode Island) met to create a new
constitution. The delegates were made of prominent lawyers, planters and
merchants. Most of the population, however, were small farmers.
How do the delegates not represent the majority of Americans?
The most famous delegate was
George Washington, though
James Madison may have had
the most influence on the
constitution.
What are we talking about here?
The Constitutional Convention was an attempt to create a strong
FEDERAL government. This means taking power AWAY from the states.
Federalism- the division of power between the States and Federal
government
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
The Americans were still distrustful of Strong Government, creating divisions among
the delegates.
Federalists- Want a strong Federal government for efficiency
Anti-Federalists- Want strong state governments to protect the people
Compromise! Compromise! Compromise!
GOAL: Create a strong enough government to govern effectively, while
protecting individual liberties.
Plan: Compromise: the Constitution took many compromises, but there are 4
major compromises.
1) The issue of Representation
2) The issue of Slavery
3) The issue of commerce
4) The Presidency compromise
Issue of Representation
The continental Congress had to decide what the legislature would look like and how
the representatives would be selected.
New
Jersey
Virginia
Virginia vs. New Jersey plans
This compromise is called the Connecticut Plan, or the Great Compromise
The Great Compromise
Representing Slaves
A bitter debate continued over slavery and power. The Southerners wanted the
enslaved people to be counted for representation purposes, but not for taxes.
What advantage would this be for the Southerners?
The 3/5ths compromise
Actual number of
slaves
Actual number of
slaves counted for
taxes and
representation
The Commerce Compromise
Commerce= Trade
The Issue:
North- wants a government to regulate trade
South- worried there will be tariffs on produce exported and that slavery will be
restricted
Commerce Compromise
To compromise the delegates agreed that the
congress could not pass export duties (taxes).
Additionally, Congress could not prohibit or
limit slavery for 20 years.
Additionally, runaway slaves had to be
returned to the South.
Slavery could not be prohibited for the next 20 years.
What problems do you foresee with this arrangement?
Presidency Compromise
The Americans were still distrustful of a strong government, so outlining the
president’s powers was especially difficult.
Federalists- supporting stronger government these delegates wanted a long term
of office and direct elections
Anti-Federalists- Supported stronger state governments and wanted a short
presidential term and election by state legislatures.
Presidency Compromise
-Four year Terms
-Indirect Election (Electoral College)
** Notice there is NO limit
to the number of terms**
Copy this table
Compromise
The Great
Compromise
Issue
Solution
Equal or proportionate
representation in
Congress
States would have equal
representation in the Senate,
but the House would be
depend on population
Three-Fifths
Compromise
Counting enslaved
people within population
to determine
representation
Enslaved people were
counted as 3/5 of one
person, both for taxation and
representation
Commerce
Compromise
Granting Congress the
power to regulate
interstate and foreign
trade
Congress is forbidden from
taxing state exports, or
passing anti-slavery trade
laws for 20 years
Presidency
Compromise
Length of a president’s
term of office and
method of election
Presidents will serve a 4yr
term and be elected by the
electoral college
Review
The primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to
(1) provide revenues for the national government
(2) establish the basic framework of the national government
(3) give the national government the power to regulate interstate commerce
(4) guarantee a bill of rights to protect citizens from the national government
Which statement regarding the United States
Congress is best supported by the information
in this cartoon?
(1) Congress must meet at least once every
year.
(2) Members of the House of Representatives
must be chosen every two years.
(3) Each house of Congress must publish a
journal of its proceedings.
(4) Representation in the House of
Representatives is based on state population
Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists
Ratification
Once the delegation had written the constitution it had to be ratified, or approved
by the states. The writers had written that 9 of the 13 colonies must approve the
constitution for it to go into effect. However, there were fierce debates in all the
states between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Federalists: Wrote the “Federalist Papers” to promote ratification
Anti-Federalists: Worried the constitutional government would
threaten the rights of the people.
Demanded a Bill of Rights.
Ratify- Approve
The United States Constitution
Ratification
Ultimately the new Constitution was
approved by the 13 colonies, and went into
effect in 1789. The first president was George
Washington.
Some didn’t want to approve the constitution
because they were worried they would lose
their rights. So Congress immediately went
into session to respond to calls for a Bill of
Rights. The first ten amendments were
passed by 1791.
US Constitution
The US Constitution provides a clearly defined framework of
government. The Preamble provides the reasons for writing it:
-to create a better stronger government
-to ensure a system of justice
-to provide for peace at home
-to provide for the defense of the nation
-to promote the well being of the people
-to secure liberty to the people and to
future generations.