Early American History:
Articles of Confederation-Constitution
Mr. Stikes
SSUSH5 The student will explain specific events and key
ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation
of the United States Constitution.
a. Explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and
Daniel Shays’ Rebellion led to a call for a stronger central
government.
b. Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and
Federalists during the debate on ratification of the Constitution
as put forth in The Federalist concerning form of government,
factions, checks and balances, and the power of the executive,
including the roles of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
c. Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the
Great Compromise, separation of powers (influence of
Montesquieu), limited government, and the issue of slavery.
d. Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of
individual and states’ rights.
e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George
Washington and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion,
non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political
parties (Alexander Hamilton).
Development of the
Articles
• Plan drafted by John Dickinson
– Supported by Benjamin Franklin
• Articles of Confederation presented to
Congress on July 12th, 1776
– Adopted by Congress - November 15th, 1777
– All states had agreed by 1781 – took effect
– Guaranteed each state “sovereignty, freedom
and independence”
Aftermath of the Revolutionary War
Revolutionary War
• Ended by Treaty of Paris (1783)
• Government:
– 2nd Continental Congress
– Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation
a. Explain how weaknesses in
the Articles of Confederation
and Daniel Shays’ Rebellion
led to a call for a stronger
central government.
Articles of Confederation
• Congress of the Confederation
– Members appointed by state legislatures
– Each state had one vote
• Roles of the Congress
– Conduct foreign affairs
– Make treaties
– Declare war
– Coin money
– Establish post offices
Weaknesses in the Articles
• Laws were hard to pass
– Needed 9 of 13 states to approve
– Amendments needed all 13 to approve
• Congress could not force the states to
obey decisions or laws
• Congress could not tax or raise an army
– Printed money that was not backed by specie
The Land Problem
• Many states had
land claims that
extended to Pacific
Ocean
– Land = money
• Western territory
of states was
surrendered to
Congress
Land Ordinance of 1785
• Western land –
“Northwest Territory”
• Divided into townships
• Townships divided into
640 acre lots
DID YOU KNOW: Each township had
one lot reserved for a school. This was
the first federal aid for public education.
Typical
Township
School
For public
buildings/
veterans
Northwest Ordinance
Also known as the Land Ordinance of 1787
• Established system of government for the
Northwest territories
• Banned slavery
in the territory
Road to Statehood:
3-5 states would be created out of the land
When population reaches 5,000 eligible
voters, it can elect a bicameral legislature
and send a nonvoting member to Congress
When population reaches 60,000 free
residents, it becomes eligible for statehood
and can draft a state constitution.
Congress must then approve the new state
Shays’ Rebellion (1786)
• Led by Daniel Shays in Western
Massachusetts
• Farmers protested against high taxes
– Seized courthouses and closed down debtors
courts/property auctions
• Concerns: National government could not
deal with issues that arise
Call for Reform
• Congress called for a Constitutional
Convention
• Purpose: Revise the Articles of
Confederation
• Began May 14, 1787
Constitutional Convention
• Met in secret
– Why?
• Agreed to replace Articles with a new
document
– Would feature a stronger national government
Virginia Plan
• First proposed plan of government
• Major parts:
– Bicameral Legislature
(Congress)
• Representation based upon population or money
• Lower house elected by voters, upper house by lower
– Executive
• Chosen by Congress
– Judiciary
• Chosen by Congress
Bicameral:
Legislature
with 2 separate
parts, or
houses
New Jersey Plan
• Counter proposal
• Major parts:
– Unicameral Legislature
Unicameral:
Legislature
with only 1 part
(or house)
(Congress)
• Equal representation
– Executive
(more than 1)
• Chosen by Congress, removed by state governors
– Judiciary
• Chosen by Congress
(Supreme Court)
Virginia Plan v. New Jersey Plan
VIRGINIA
• Bicameral Congress
NEW JERSEY
• Unicameral Congress
• Representation based
on population/$
• Representation based
on equality
• 1 executive chosen
by Congress
• More than 1 executive
chosen by Congress
• Supported by large
states
• Supported by small
states
Features of the Constitution
c. Explain the key features of the
Constitution, specifically the Great
Compromise, separation of powers
(influence of Montesquieu), limited
government, and the issue of
slavery.
Constitutional Compromises
• Great (or Connecticut)
• 3/5
• Commerce and Slave Trade
Great Compromise
Also called the Connecticut Compromise
• Debate over Representation
• Result:
– Bicameral Congress
– Upper Chamber: Senate
– Lower Chamber: House of Representatives
Great Compromise
SENATE
• Smaller
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
• Larger
• 2 per state
• Based on population
– Equality!
DID YOU KNOW: The Connecticut Compromise has also been called the “Great
Compromise,” because without it we may not have had a new Constitution!
Issue of Slavery
• Since population counts, what about slaves?
• Slave-holding states
• Non slave-holding states
Three-Fifths Compromise
Compromise:
• All free persons counted, “all other
persons” (i.e. slaves) count for 3/5 of a
person
• Used for both representation
and taxes
Three-Fifths Compromise
Commerce and
Slave Trade Compromise
• Congress had the power to regulate trade
– Why could this be dangerous?
• Tariffs?
– Export duties not allowed
– Import duties allowed
• Slavery?
Remember, the
population of the North
was greater than that of
the South. Many in the
southern states were
worried that the new
Constitution would not
protect them.
– Importation of slaves allowed until at least 1807
– Runaway slaves must be returned South
Separation of Powers
• Three Branches of Government
Separation of Powers
• Influence of Montesquieu
– Contained in “Spirit of Laws” (1754)
Limited Government
• Government is not all powerful
• The government must operate under
certain laws and protect the rights of both
people and the states
Ticket out the Door
• Name one compromise, tell what it did and
why you think it is important.
• Why do you think the members of the
Constitutional Convention agreed to keep
all of their discussions secret?
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
b. Evaluate the major arguments of the antiFederalists and Federalists during the
debate on ratification of the Constitution as
put forth in The Federalist concerning form of
government, factions, checks and balances,
and the power of the executive, including the
roles of Alexander Hamilton and James
Madison.
Federalists
• People who favored ratification of the new
Constitution
• Supported a strong national government
– Reasons:
• Needed one for security/prosperity
Federalists
• Important Federalists:
– James Madison
– John Jay
– Alexander Hamilton
Anti-Federalists
• People who were opposed to ratification of
the new Constitution
• Opposed to a strong, central government
– Reasons:
• Illegal – Convention was only to change Articles
• Would destroy state’s rights
• New gov’t resembled a monarchy
Anti-Federalists
• Important Anti-Federalists:
– George Mason
– Patrick Henry
– George Clinton
– Richard Henry Lee
The Federalist
Also known as “The Federalist Papers”
• Series of 85 essays
– Written between the fall of 1787
and spring of 1788
– By James Madison, Alexander
Hamilton and John Jay
• Most cited essays:
– #10 – by James Madison
– #51 – by James Madison
– #84 – by Alexander Hamilton
DID YOU KNOW: The
Federalist Papers
were written under the
pseudonym Publius.
DID YOU KNOW:
Anti-federalist writings
were later collected
and published as the
“Anti-Federalist
Papers.”
Arguments about form of government
FEDERALISTS
• Stronger national
government was
necessary for
success
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
• Stronger national
government was just
as bad as living under
a king
• The national
government should
have most of the
power
• The states should
have most of the
power
Arguments about factions
FEDERALISTS
• Would be easy to
handle any problems
that come up
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
• Factions would form
due to long terms for
Representatives and
Senators
• Factions would not
help the common
people
– People only vote on
Representatives
Arguments about checks and balances
FEDERALISTS
• Balancing powers
between different
people will make sure
none become too
powerful
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
• Most of the powers
should be in the state
to be closer to the
people to keep
anyone from
becoming too
powerful
Arguments about executive power
FEDERALISTS
• Constitution favored
election of rich
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
• Too much in the
hands of one man
• No bill of rights to
protect poorer and
uneducated men
• Executive is not
elected by the people
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)
• First Secretary of
the Treasury
• One of
Washington’s
closest advisors
• Influential Federalist
James Madison (1751-1836)
• “Father of the
Constitution”
• “Architect” of the
Constitution
• Influential Federalist
Ratification
Formal Approval of the Constitution
Ratification
• Each state had to vote to approve the
Constitution
The Bill of Rights
d. Analyze how the Bill of
Rights serves as a protector of
individual and states’ rights.
Bill of Rights
• 1st Ten Amendments to the U.S.
Constitution
• Why were these passed?
As Protector of Individual Rights..
As Protector of States’ Rights..
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor prohibited
by it to the states, are reserved to the
states respectively, or to the people.
What does this mean?
If a right is NOT given to the federal government, then it belongs to the states.
For example:
Congress is not given the right to give licenses to people – therefore, the
states are the ones that do it. Each state can have it’s own individual laws.
America Under the Constitution
e. Explain the importance of the
Presidencies of George Washington
and John Adams; include the Whiskey
Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe,
and the development of political parties
(Alexander Hamilton).
George Washington (1732-1799)
President of the United States: 1789-1797 (1st)
• President of
Constitutional Convention
• War hero
French & Indian War
Revolutionary War
• Unanimously elected first
President of the United
States under the U.S.
Constitution (1789)
Washington’s Administration
• Vice President: John Adams
Created by Congress – not mentioned in Constitution
Cabinet:
• Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson
• Secretary of War: Henry Knox
• Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton
• Attorney General: Edmund Randolph
Major Events of
Washington’s Presidency
• Creation of Cabinet (1789)
• Creation of Supreme Court / Court System
– Judiciary Act of 1789
• Monetary Policy
– Government would pay off all of its debts &
assume much of states’ debts
– Bank of the United States (National Bank) - 1791
• Jay’s Treaty
• Whiskey Rebellion
Judiciary Act of 1789
• Established federal court system
– District court in each state
– Supreme Court
• 6 justices
• Defined the powers/jurisdiction of each
court
Bank of the United States
• Purpose:
– To provide stability to the financial system
– To make credit available
Building that housed the First Bank of the United
States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Argument over the Bank of the U.S.
Loose Construction
• Supported by
Alexander Hamilton
Strict Construction
• Supported by Thomas
Jefferson
• Congress could do
anything UNLESS the
Constitution said
otherwise
• Congress could ONLY
do what the
Constitution
specifically stated
– “Necessary and
Proper” clause
Jay’s Treaty (1793)
• Goal: Avoid another war w/ Britain
– Solve issues remaining from Revolution
• Main Results:
– British would leave Northwest Territory in 1 year
– Small US ships could trade in British West Indies
– Rejection of American position on neutral rights
• Searches of American vessels/Impressment of sailors
would continue
– No compensation for American ships/slaves
taken
Whiskey
Rebellion
• Causes:
Flags carried by members of the rebellion
– 1791 – Congress passes a tax on whiskey
• Rebellion:
grain whiskey
Easier to transport
– 1794 – 6,000 men attacked U.S. Marshals
attempting to enforce the tax
– Washington leads army of 13,000 – rebellion
ends
• Results:
– Shows power of the federal government
Non-intervention in Europe
• U.S. foreign policy
• First stated in George Washington’s
Farewell Address
“Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a
very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent
controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our
concerns. Hence therefore it must be unwise to implicate ourselves,
by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the
ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships, or enmities.
. . . Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe,
entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European Ambition,
Rivalship, Interest, Humour, or Caprice?”
Development of Political Parties
• People divided over their view of the future
of America
– Democratic-Republicans
• Led by Thomas Jefferson
• Strict Constructionists
• Favored farmers, poor
– Federalists
• Led by Alexander Hamilton
• Loose Constructionists
• Favored industry, rich
Development of Political Parties
FEDERALISTS
• America should be
run by wealthy &
educated
DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS
• Farmers and middle class
could be trusted to run
country
• Favored in the
North
• Favored in the South
• Favored industry/
urban areas
• Favored rural areas
Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)
• First Secretary of
the Treasury
– Founded Bank of
U.S.
• Influential Federalist
– Believed in rule by
rich & powerful
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
• Third President of
the United States
• Influential
Republican
– Believed in rule by
the everyday man
– Feared industry
John Adams (1735-1826)
President of the United States: 1797-1801 (2nd)
• Politician from
Massachusetts
• Served as Vice President
under Washington
– Handpicked by
Washington to be his
successor
• Federalist
Adams’ Administration
• Vice President: Thomas Jefferson
• Administration was a disaster
– Many Federalists were still loyal to Alexander
Hamilton, not John Adams
– Vice President Jefferson and President
Adams did not get along
XYZ Affair (1798)
• In response to Jay’s Treaty (1793), France
began seizing American ships
• Negotiations
DID YOU KNOW: After the XYZ Affair, the U.S.
and France fought a short, undeclared naval war.
– Three men sent to France to make peace
• Charles Pinckney, John Marshall, Elbridge Gerry
– Negotiations w/ France broke down
• French officials demanded bribes
Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
• Passed in response to undeclared war with
France
• Purpose:
– protect the U.S. from foreign influences
Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
• What it did:
– Lengthened citizenship residence requirement
from 5 to 14 yrs.
– Gave President authority to deport any
“dangerous” foreigner
– Illegal to “print, write, or speak in a scandalous or
malicious way against the government”
• Result:
– Weakened Federalists
Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions (1798)
• Written by T. Jefferson & J. Madison
– Democratic-Republicans
• State legislatures in KY and VA argued the
Alien and Sedition Acts were
unconstitutional
– Therefore, states did not have to obey these
laws
“Midnight Judges”
• Judges appointed by President Adams right
before Jefferson takes office
– After Adams was defeated by Jefferson
• Many were removed from office
– Some were never given their appointment
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
• William Marbury was a “midnight judge”
• Declared part of Judiciary Act of 1789
unconstitutional
Election of 1800
• Jefferson
vs.
• Adams
• Republicans win
• “Constitutional
Crisis”
Election of 1800
Meant to
be Vice
President
• T. Jefferson and Aaron Burr receive the same
number of electoral college votes
– 73 each
• In case of tie = House of Reps. Votes
– Federalists hoped to cause confusion by
supporting Burr
– Hamilton disliked Jefferson but hated Burr
• Gives support to Jefferson
• Jefferson officially selected president just a few weeks
before inauguration
Result of the Election of 1800
• Twelfth Amendment
– Separate vote in Electoral College for Pres. & VP
– In case of tie/no majority:
• House votes on Pres.
• Senate votes on Vice Pres.
Each state with 1 vote
– Vice President must be eligible to serve as Pres.