Founding a GovernmentFounding a Government

Problems with the Articles of Problems with the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

States formed new governments after the States formed new governments after the Declaration of Independence, had trouble with Declaration of Independence, had trouble with central government principles.central government principles.

Americans wanted a republic that ruled “with Americans wanted a republic that ruled “with consent of the governed” consent of the governed”

America still worked under the America still worked under the Articles of Articles of ConfederationConfederation, which established an , which established an association of independent states.association of independent states.

Under the Articles, the central government had Under the Articles, the central government had power to set national policies and carry on power to set national policies and carry on foreign relations.foreign relations.

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

The Articles also had several weaknesses:The Articles also had several weaknesses: Congress could not impose taxes to repay war debts.

Congress could not regulate trade.

9 of 13 states needed to agree in order to pass laws.

All states had to agree to amend the Articles

No executive branch to enforce laws passed by Congress

No judicial branch to interpret laws passed by Congress

The Pros and Cons of IndependenceThe Pros and Cons of Independence

StrugglesStruggles Economic problems in the states:Economic problems in the states:

New England’s valuable trade with Britain was New England’s valuable trade with Britain was ruined.ruined.

Paper money was not valuable, led to inflationPaper money was not valuable, led to inflation The states collected taxes in “hard currency” The states collected taxes in “hard currency”

instead of paper money.instead of paper money.

The Constitutional ConventionThe Constitutional Convention

• Many did not like the Articles of ConfederationMany did not like the Articles of Confederation• 1786 George Washington and 1786 George Washington and James MadisonJames Madison

convened a meeting of the states in Maryland, convened a meeting of the states in Maryland, but delegates from only five showed up.but delegates from only five showed up.• Congress then called the states to meet in Congress then called the states to meet in

Philadelphia in 1787 for a Constitutional Convention.Philadelphia in 1787 for a Constitutional Convention.• James Madison is often called the Father of the James Madison is often called the Father of the

Constitution.Constitution.• The convention unanimously chose George The convention unanimously chose George

Washington as its president.Washington as its president.

Plans for Representation in Plans for Representation in GovernmentGovernment

Virginia Plan Proposed a new form of government with

three branches: executive, judicial, legislative The legislature would be bicameral, with an

upper and lower house. Members would be chosen in proportion to

each state’s population. Disliked by small states that would have less

power

Plans for Representation in Plans for Representation in GovernmentGovernment

New Jersey Plan Retained many of the features of the

Confederation Gave Congress additional powers Suggested a one-house legislature with equal

representation for each state Tried to equalize power for states

Plans for Representation in Plans for Representation in GovernmentGovernment

The Great Compromise A Connecticut plan to balance state powers Two-house legislature: upper house Senate

represented the state, the lower house the population.

The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed only part of the slave population to be counted

Providing Check and BalancesProviding Check and Balances

Needed a balance of power between the Congress and the president. The delegates set up a system of checks and

balances.

Three Branches of GovernmentThree Branches of Government

Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Executive Branch

Three Branches of GovernmentThree Branches of Government

Legislative Branch Makes the laws Gives advice and consent to president Can pass over vetoes with two-thirds vote

Three Branches of GovernmentThree Branches of Government

Executive Branch President and cabinet Carries out laws Makes treaties and nominates judges Vetoes laws

Three Branches of GovernmentThree Branches of Government

Judicial Branch Supreme Court and lower courts Interprets laws as they relate to the

Constitution

Ratifying the ConstitutionRatifying the Constitution

Federalists Wanted to ratify, or accept, the Constitution Believed in a strong national government Believed the separation of powers in the

Constitution limited government power Popular with the wealthy Inspired the Federalist Papers, essays

written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, which offered practical arguments for strong government

Ratifying the ConstitutionRatifying the Constitution

Anti-federalists Feared a strong national government would

lead to tyranny and abuse of states’ rights and individual liberties

Did not trust government to protect people’s rights

Popular with farmers and planters Thought the new government favored the

wealthy and educated over ordinary people

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights protected individual rights.The Bill of Rights protected individual rights.

• The first eight amendments dealt with individual civil The first eight amendments dealt with individual civil liberties.liberties.

• The Ninth Amendment stated that listing certain rights The Ninth Amendment stated that listing certain rights in this document did not mean that other unlisted in this document did not mean that other unlisted rights did not exist.rights did not exist.

• The Tenth Amendment defined two types of The Tenth Amendment defined two types of government powers: delegated and reserved powers. government powers: delegated and reserved powers. – Delegated powers are those given out to the three Delegated powers are those given out to the three

branches of government.branches of government.– Reserved powers belonged to the states or the Reserved powers belonged to the states or the

people.people.