Articles of Confederation
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During the Revolutionary
War the American states
began to adopt their own
constitutions (written plan of
government).
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The states viewed
themselves as free and
independent nations, not as
one nation.
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The Continental Congress adopted a plan for a confederation
during the Revolutionary War.
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This became the basis for the first national government.
Congress
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•
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Each state sent 2 – 7 representatives.
Each state gets 1 vote.
9 of 13 states had to agree to pass a law.
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
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Congress could not levy taxes.
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Congress could not regulate trade between the states
(interstate commerce) or foreign trade.
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No standing army.
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No national court system.
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No executive branch of government.
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All 13 states had to agree to any changes to the Articles of
Confederation.
The Constitution
Key Concepts
• Checks and Balances (AOC, State Const.)
• Separation of Powers (State Const.)
• Popular Sovereignty (Locke, Rousseau)
• Limited Government (Rousseau)
• Judicial Review (Locke)
• Federalism
Popular Sovereignty
• The power to rule belongs
to the people.
• “Consent of the governed”
• “We the People of the
United States …do ordain
and establish the
Constitution for the United
States of America.”
Limited Government
Government can only do the things the people have given it
the power to do. Government and its officials are subject to
the law, never above the law.
Checks and Balances
Federalists vs. Antifederalists
•
The Constitution of the United States was approved by the
convention and signed by 39 of the delegates on Sept. 17, 1787.
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According to Article VII, the Constitution was to be ratified in
conventions held in each state. Once 9 states had ratified the
Constitution it would become the official plan of government
for the United States.
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Not all Americans, or all of the delegates to the convention,
approved of the final document. This lead to a heated debate
across the nation between proponents of the plan and opponents
of the plan.
•
Federalists – supporters of the Constitution.
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Antifederalists – opponents of the Constitution.
Federalists vs. Antifederalists
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There were several points of contention between these two
groups.
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Self Interests and Common Welfare
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Central Authority and Active Participation
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Supremacy Clause and Abuse of Power
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Necessary and Proper Clause and Abuse of Power
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Individual Liberties
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Executive Power
The American System
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Developing an internal transportation system to link all regions
of the nation (National Road, Erie Canal)
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Establishing a protective tariff (tax on imports) to protect U.S.
industries from foreign competition and fund internal
improvements
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Reestablishing the Bank of the United States to create a
nationally recognized and equally valued currency to create
financial unity among the regions of the country
Impact on Politics and Government
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Secession is not possible. The Union victory and occupation
of the South settled that question forever. Secession=Treason
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Presidential power to limit the rights of U.S. citizens increases
during times of war and the Supreme Court says that is okay.
1. Conscription (draft)
2. Suspension of Habeas Corpus
3. Income Taxes
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Slavery discussion is over thanks to the 13th Amendment.
Impact on Economics
North
•
South
Manufacturing prospered
due to the need for war
materials. Industrialization
speeds up.
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Plantation economic
system is dead and gone
since slavery is abolished.
•
Inflation peaks at 7000%
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Inflation did go up 182%
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Costs = $1 Billion
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Costs = $2.3 Billion
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Debt = $1.8 Billion
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Debt = $2.7 Billion