Chapter 5

Shaping A New Nation

5.1 Experimenting with

ConfederationMain Idea: Americans adopted the Articles of Confederation but found the new government too weak to

solve the nation’s problems.

Do now: Why didn’t America become a monarchy like the majority of the world? Explain.

Republicanism● A government in which citizens rule through elected

officials○ pure democracy was logistically impossible & gave

poor too much power

State Constitutions● Similarities

○ limited the government leaders (Fear of a king)○ Rights: Freedom of speech, religion, and press○ Liberty over equality

● Differences○ Voting Rights

● Political Precedent?○ Monarchy

Articles of Confederation● Continental Congress met to figure everything out

○ Multiple problems■ Representation based on what? Population or state?■ Supreme power divided?

Western Lands??● Before the A.o.C could be ratified states had to give up claims to

western lands.○ they did!

● March 1781 - A.o.C. was accepted

Land Ordinance of 1785● Plan for surveying land in the NW territory!

Northwest Ordinance of 1787Established how new states would be formed.

● Territory would get a governor and 3 judges.

● 5000 people○ temporary constitution

and govt.● 60,000 people

○ Constitution and statehood if Congress approves.

Problems with Confederation - Do Now:1. How many votes did each state get in Congress? Do you think it was fair?

2. Why did Congress have a difficult time passing laws under the Articles of Confederation?

3. Why was it difficult or impossible for the Federal Government of the United States, under the Articles, to raise money to pay for its expenses?

4. Why was it difficult or impossible for the Federal Government of the United States, under the Articles, to settle disputes between states or between citizens of different states?

5. Which of the weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation do you think is most responsible for causing the failure of the American Government?

Political and Economic ● States were only worried about themselves● One vote per state

○ MA- 235,000 people○ GA- 23,375 people

● Amend the A of C○ all 13 states had to agree

● Make laws○ 9/13 states had to agree

UNFAIR!

Debt● America was in debt

○ Federal Govt. could not tax.■ needed state's approval to amend

A of C so they could tax (Tariff)● RI said no!

● Rich wanted high taxes & limited currency● Poor wanted low taxes & increased

currency○ pay debts off with cheap money

Foreign relations (No $$ for military)● Govt. could not pay loyalists for destroyed property

○ British stayed in forts along the Great Lakes

● Spain closed the Mississippi River to all American traffic over border disputes.○ Americans used the river to transport product to New

Orleans and then by boat to the eastern cities.

Calls for Convention● Meeting was called to discuss trade between the states.

○ Tax issues○ Navigation of rivers

■ Maryland was trying to tax ships using the Potomac River as they headed to Virginia.● Would raise prices for Virginiana etc..

■ Virginia threatened to tax any ship entering Chesapeake Bay heading to Maryland.

● Scheduled another meeting a year later..

Shays Rebellion!

May 1787 - Philadelphia State House● Delegates met to discuss the problems with the A of C

○ All upper class men - no poor farmers!● Agreed the A of C was too weak/broken and began to

create a new government.○ If the National Government was useless against a small

farmer rebellion what chance did it have of protecting the entire country!

Post Reading Questions1. What are both of the author's’ main ideas? 2. How are they similar? 3. How are they different? 4. What is the historical context (background) to these

quotes? 5. Which one(s) do you agree with? 6. Which one(s) do you disagree with?

5.2 Drafting the

ConstitutionMain Idea: At the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, delegates

rejected the Articles of Confederation and created a new

constitution.

May 1787 - Philadelphia State House● Delegates met to discuss the problems with the Article of

Confederation○ All upper class men - no farmers present

Members

George Washington: dignity and fairness

James Madison: Scholar, “Father of the Constitution”

Alexander Hamilton: spokesman for property owners

Ben Franklin: Wisdom and prestige

Small States v. Big StatesVirginia Plan

1) Bicameral legislaturea) Two houses

2) Based on population

New Jersey Plan

1. 1 vote per state2. Population did not

matter

Great Compromise

1. Roger Shermana) Congress = Senate

i) Equal for each state

b) House of Representatives

i) Based on population

Slavery● Southern States:

○ Wanted to count slaves toward population■ More representation in the House of Reps

● Did not want slaves to count toward direct taxation○ Lower their overall tax base

3/5s Compromise● 5 Slaves would be counted as 3 free people for representation

and taxation

Division of PowersFederalism: power is divided between national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

Electoral Collegehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9H3gvnN468

Creating the Constitution● Amendment process● September 17th, 1787 - Delegates adjourned● Need 9 out of 13 to ratify

5.3 Ratifying the

ConstitutionMain idea: During the debate on the

Constitution, the Federalists promised to add a bill of rights in order to get

the Constitution ratified.

Do Now: Would you have been a Federalists or an Antifederalist? Explain why.

Choosing Sides● Federalists: in support of the constitution● Antifederalists: oppose a strong central government● Ratification: official approval

George Washington

Alexander Hamilton

James Madison Samuel Adams

Patrick Henry

Richard Henry Lee

The Federalists Papers● Written in 1787● To advocate the ratification

of the new Constitution by the states

● Unofficial explanation of the gov’t by the people who created it

Ratification1. Delaware - December 7, 17872. Pennsylvania - December 12, 17873. New Jersey - December 18, 17874. Georgia - January 2, 17885. Connecticut - January 9, 17886. Massachusetts - February 6, 17887. Maryland - April 28, 17888. South Carolina - May 23, 17889. New Hampshire - June 21, 1788 = RATIFIED

10. Virginia - June 25, 178811. New York - July 26, 1788

***March 4th, 1789 - Gov’t would begin under the Constitution

12. North Carolina - November 21, 178913. Rhode Island - May 29, 1790