What type of national/federal government did the Articles of Confederation set up?
One house legislature (makes laws.) Each state had 1 vote in the Congress. No executive branch. No judicial branch.
Why did they set up this type of government?
It was a limited central/federal government. States had more power. They did not want the federal government to have too much power like Britain/Parliament.
What couldn't Congress do under the Articles of Confederation?
Congress couldn't regulate trade or collect taxes.
Why were the Articles of Confederation a failure?
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS TOO WEAK.
9 out of 13 states had to approve a proposal to become law.
The Federal government had to ask to states for money because they couldn't tax.
Only the states could tax.
The federal government couldn't print or borrow mo
What were the 2 good things from the Articles of Confederation?
Land Ordinance of 1785, Northwest Ordinance.
What was the Land Ordinance of 1785?
System of land sales and settlement.
Public land was divided into townships 6miles by 6 miles. The townships were divided into 1 mile squares, sold for no less than $1 per acre. One section was set aside in each town to support schools. Showed that democr
What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
SET UP A 3 STEP PROCESS FOR ADMITTING NEW STATES.
It set up a system for the land in the Northwest Territory, North of the Ohio River.
Congress appointed a governor, secretary, & 3 judges. When the territory had 5,000 free adult males, it could elect a le
Shay's Rebellion-What was it and why was it significant?
Shays Rebellion was an uprising of the farmers in Massachusetts. There was a depression and farmers could not pay their state taxes. The state was taking/seizing the farmers' land. Angry farmers demanded the state to stop the farm sales. They wanted the s
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
What was the purpose and what happened?
1787. Goal: Revise the Articles of Confederation. Delegates from 12/13 states arrived.
They formed a new Constitution with a stronger central government. It was debated and passed by 9/13 states.
It called for:
3 branches of government: judicial, executiv
The Great Compromise.
Virginia Plan proposed a legislature with the number of representatives based on population.
The NJ plan proposed a legislature with 2 representatives per state.
The Compromise a two house congress:
The House of Representatives would be based on populatio
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments (change) to the Constitution.
Purpose: to protect Americans against unfair use of government powers.
freedom of speech, religion, press. Right to bear arms, government can't force citizen to quarter soldiers, unlawful search of ho
Checks and balances/Separation of Powers
3 branches of government: executive, judicial, legislature.
No one branch can get too powerful.
Legislative branch: Makes the laws: Congress: Senate & House of Representative.
Executive Branch: President. Carries out the laws, commander-in chief of milita
Amendment Process
Congress must pass an Amendment with a 2/3 vote.
Then it goes to the states, the must pass with a 3/4 vote.
Then it is passed/ratified.
Who had the majority of power in the Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution?
Articles of Confederation: states the majority of power.
The Constitution: Balance of power/checks and balances between the 3 branches of government. The people have the power in representative government.
Structure of the Government- Articles of Confederation vs. The Constitution?
Articles of Confederation: No executive branch, no judicial branch. Had legislative branch but 9/13 states had to pass laws. Weak federal government. Couldn't collect taxes, or print or borrow money, couldn't form a military or stop rebellions.
The Consti
Ratification
Approve
Why was there debate over whether or not to ratify the Constitution?
Federalists vs. AntiFederalists. Federalists: Wanted a strong Federal government.
AntiFederalists; They thought the constitution weakened the state power and individual freedom.
Some wanted the Bill of Rights
Some didn't like the President being able to b
Federalists, Who were they? What did they want?
Supporters of the New Constitution who wanted a strong federal/central/national government. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay.
Federalists Papers
A series of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution
Antifederalists. Who were they? What did they want?
Opponents of the ratification of the Constitution. George Mason, Patrick Henry. Constitution weakened the States, Wanted a Bill of Rights. Was he a President or King?