Creating the Constitution

Chapter 5

State gov’tsIndividual constitutions

Republican – elect representativesWhite male property owners

Religious FreedomTJ – Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom

Articles of Confederation

1st US Constitution (1777)

Confederation: weak central gov’t; loose assoc. of states

Ruled by a unicameral legislature (1)

Problems:1. no POTUS or Supreme Ct.

2. can’t collect taxes

3. can’t raise army

4. 1 vote per state

5. 9 out of 13 states to pass laws

Repeal A of CLong Term Causes

Can’t pay off war debts

Economic depression

Short Term CauseShays’ Rebellion

Daniel Shays – 1786 – Mass.

Farmers debt + high taxes=foreclosures

Farmers revolted – Mass. Militia put it down

Showed weaknesses of national gov’t

Map WorkNorthwest Ordinance

Constitutional Convention

Philadelphia – 1787 – Independence Hall

Goal: fix the A of C

Members (12 out of 13 states) – Read pg. 144-145

GW – President

Franklin

Alexander Hamilton

James Madison

J. Adams and TJ not present