Constitutional Convention: The Transition from Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION ARE DEAD......NOW WHAT?

On January 27, 1778, the -Articles of Confederation-, recently adopted by Congress, were debated here [Montague, Massachusetts]. It was 'voted to approve of the Articles, except the first clause,' giving Congress the power to declare peace and war. This it was resolved, 'belongs to the people. Edward Pearson Pressey, You must understand the attitude towards government

The Revolutionary Time Period They really did believe in Natural Rights, they were true matters of life and death Businesses had been taken, farmers destroyed, houses burned, lives lost in the Revolution The people did not want a strong National government that could tell them what to do. They were very suspicious of anyone who suggested otherwise

With this in mind....Representatives from every state joined together to talk about what next. The Articles of Confederation did not work A government must be able to raise a militia, create a tax system, and establish a valuable currency A Constitutional Convention is called to discuss what would happen next and what type of document would replace the Articles of Confederation.

America is..... Divided between people who want National Power vs. State Power Divided between Small (supposedly weaker states) and Larger (supposedly more powerful states) Divided between North & South Slave v. Free Family farm v. Plantation Industry v. Plantation

Anti-Federalists v. Federalists Anti-Federalists do not want a strong national government They are concerned that a strong national (central) government will take the freedoms won in the revolutionary war away. Federalists believe that the country will collapse if there is not a stronger central (national) government to bring stability

How can the two sides come together... The Federalists Compromise with the Anti-Federalists and include: Checks and Balances 3 branches of government all 3 have a check on the other. Legislative Makes laws and has the power of the purse (money) Executive leads the government, carries the laws out, and controls army Judicial overseas the other branches and makes sure they stay within the Constitution. Can remove from office or strike down laws. Bill of Rights: Guarantees rights for citizens, that the government cannot take away (Freedom of speech, press, religion, right to privacy, right to own a gun etc....) Place limits on all government responsibilities

Large States v. Small States Smaller states (Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia) are concerned that large Stats (New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania) will over power them and make unfair laws.

Size does and does not matter . The Great Compromise Congress will have 2 houses Congress makes laws House of representatives Elected as percentage of population (therefore places like Texas, New York, and California have the most Representation) House approves Bills (plans to become laws) and sends them to the senate The Senate then turns Bills into Laws. Each State gets two Senators regardless of size To Change the Constitution 2/3's of Senate must approve

After all the compromises....one last priority....a President George Washington was elected as the first President Because he was the first everything he did created an example for other Presidents to follow. (this is called setting a precedent) George Washington stayed aware of the concerns the Anti- Federalists had of a monarch/National power Called Mr. President Only stayed for 2 terms Spoke openly with Congress

3/5's Compromise, how does it show a divided America How to count slaves in the population to determine representation in Congress. South wanted a 1 for 1 count Some northern states said 0 count (Massachusetts/Pennsylvania) Others said COmpromise was that slaves would count as 3/5 of a person to determine representation in congress.

As always money... The South provided England and the northern industries with cheap raw materials for factories Many plantations owners where in extreme debt. They appeared wealthy, but they borrowed money for land, seed, and slaves Example New England Ship building South produced Trees to build ships and pine tar to seal the joints The North paid low prices for materials and built ships England bought man of the ships and paid a low price for them

Quotes about Slavery and our Nations founding.. "It seems now to be pretty well understood that the real difference of interests lies not between the large and small but between the northern and southern states. The institution of slavery and its consequences form the line of discrimination." There was never any moment in our history when slavery was not a sleeping serpent It lay coiled up under the table during the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention. Owing to the cotton gin it was more than half awake. Thereafter, it was on everyone s mind though not always on his tongue. - James Madison (wrote majority of the Constitution) -John Jay Chapman

Review if you need it The Constitution our written form of government Bill of Rights the first 10 Amendments guaranteeing basic rights to citizens 3/5's Compromise Determined how slaves would be counted for assigning representation The Great Compromise was about Representation in Congress House of Representatives would be based on population Senate every state gets 2 Senators

When all the Compromises had been made and laws set.... Now what??? America had a new government based on a written document called "The Constitution" Look-up the following Precedents of George Washington We had a process to elect an executive leader called a President Election of 1800 Alien & Sedition Acts A system for creating laws The Louisiana Purchase Expanding the nation