CHAPTER 2Creation of American

Government

SECTION 1A Plan of Government

for the New Nation

New Nation

The end of the Revolutionary War cut all ties to England

The colonies were separate and needed to form a government

What was the first plan of government?

Second Continental Congress tried to create a plan to join the states together: Articles of Confederation

Kept a strong state government; weak central government

Set up a national congress: it would make war, treaties, and take care of financial needs

Didn’t provide for a national leader or system of justice

States found that the Articles of Confederation were too weak

Why didn’t the plan work?

War with England left American in considerable debt and we had no money

States also refused to pay any part of the debt

No system of law was permitted in the Articles of Confederation so couldn’t make the states pay

Businesses and farmers were out of money No funds to pay an army or navy Soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War

were never paid Constitutional Convention called to revise

Articles of Confederation

SECTION 2The Constitutional

Convention

Convention

Attendees of convention were well-educated me from cities

George Washington was the leader of the convention

Tried to revise the articles, however soon saw that they couldn’t (a new plan was needed)

Worked for four months to create a new plan

What plans were considered? Based on the idea of a federal government

The states would join together to form a country Power is shared between central government

and states Two forms of Government proposed:

Virginia Plan- Suggested by larger states, favored a strong central government. One executive branch and two law making bodies that are elected.

New Jersey Plan- Suggested by the smaller states, favored a greater power for each state. One part legislature and two or more executives. Legislature chosen by states and their leaders.

Both Plans: Federal government admits new states Supreme Court to make final decisions Finally decided to use parts of both plans

SECTION 3Compromises Made at the Convention

Compromises

At the Constitutional Convention each side had to compromise

Four Major compromises were made: How states would be represented How would slaves votes be counted Who would control trade among states Who would control trade between countries

How would states be represented?

How to create a legislature Connecticut suggested a two part

legislature to please both larger and smaller states

One part would be chosen by population and one part would have a set number, two

This became known as the Connecticut Compromise

How would slaves’ votes be counted?

Should slaves be counted the same as free men for tax collection and population purposes

Agreed to 5 slaves would count the same as 3 free men

Became known as the Three-Fifths Compromise

Who would control trade among the states?

North and South couldn’t agree on issues of foreign trade

North wanted federal government to control trade; whereas the South worried about their economy (they traded rice, tobacco, and slaves)

Finally agreed to allow federal government to control foreign trade however they couldn’t tax exports, only imports

By September 17, 1787 the delegates agreed on all compromises and the Constitution was signed

SECTION 4Guiding Principles of

the Constitution

Constitution

Constitution was carefully based on certain principles necessary for a democratic government Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks and Balances

Popular Sovereignty & Limited Government

In popular sovereignty all power is held by the people through elected leaders

Limited Government sets limits on the power the government has

Government must obey laws, and nobody is above the law

Separation of Powers

Power was split into three departments Congress is the lawmaking branch,

couldn’t give anyone else the power to do so. Also, oversees appointments made by the President

Executive enforces laws, president can veto bills and can also appoint officials such as ambassadors

Judicial interprets laws and decides whether it agrees with the constitution or not; they also take care of the courts system

Checks and Balances Each branch has separate duties but

must act together in some cases Limits are placed on all branches so no

one becomes too powerful Each branch checks each other in their

jobs Supreme Court can not make laws, but

they can decide if a law is unconstitutional

Congress makes laws; however the president can veto them or approve them

Congress doesn’t appoint people to important government jobs; but does have to approve the Presidents choices

SECTION 5The Struggle for

Approval

Approval

Most delegates approved the Constitution Others worked hard to persuade the

states to ratify it Each state studied the Constitution and

approval of 9 of 13 states was needed before it could be used

Did people what the new Constitution?

Federalists favored the constitution because it had a strong central government plan

Felt it would keep the nation safe and united

Famous Federalists were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay; they wrote essays to a New York paper

Anti-Federalists favored a stronger state government then the constitution allowed

They opposed the constitution because they felt it would take away many state and individual rights

How did they reach agreement?

Federalists agreed to amendments for people’s basic rights

The addition was made and known as the Bill of Rights

States deliberated more and in June of 1788 9 states ratified the Constitution

By 1790 all states had ratified

Where was the Constitution put in action?

Congress put the Constitution in action as soon as it was approved

New York was named temporary capitol Moved to Philadelphia the finally

Washington D.C. First elections held, with George

Washington as president 26 senators and 65 representatives were

elected from states Met for the first time on March 4, 1789 in

Federal Hall in New York