framing of the constitution

Democracy

government directly asks the people

Republic

citizens rule through elected representatives

Articles of Confederation Strengths

could declare war, make peace, sign treaties, ask states for money, run post offices, manage Native American affairs, regulate weights and measures, and create army/navy

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

no chief executive, no national courts, couldn't draft soldiers, control interstate trade, enforce treaties, or collect taxes; hard to pass laws or amend; no national currency; one vote per state

Land Ordinance of 1785

divided land into 36-square-mile townships, sold at $1/acre, minimum purchase one block, one block saved for education

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

procedure for making territories, required governor and judges, 5,000 adult male voters to form government, equal rights for citizens, political equality with states, slavery banned north of Ohio River

Territory included in Northwest Ordinance

Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio

Shays' Rebellion

farmers led by Daniel Shays revolted against high taxes and debt; wanted to stop property seizures and get debt relief; exposed weakness of national government

Constitutional Convention

goal—revise Articles, create stronger central government; leaders included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton; James Madison—'Father of the Constitution'

Virginia Plan

representation based on population

New Jersey Plan

equal representation

Great Compromise

House based on population, Senate 2 per state

Slavery Debate

Southern states wanted slaves counted for population, northern opposed; led to 3/5 Compromise (3 of every 5 slaves counted)

Executive Branch

President/cabinet enforce laws

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court interprets laws

Legislative Branch

Congress makes/passes laws

Checks and Balances

prevent one branch from dominating

Electoral College

states choose electors because people seen as uninformed; could override poor choices. Drawbacks: mismatch with popular vote, low turnout, weak third parties, focus on swing states, tactical voting. 538 total votes (435 reps + 100 senators + 3 D.C.); 270 to win

Federalists

supported Constitution and strong national government

Anti-Federalists

wanted stronger state power

Federalist Papers

Hamilton, Jay, Madison persuaded New York to ratify

Ratification

Delaware first; 9 of 13 states needed; New Hampshire guaranteed approval; New Jersey third; Rhode Island last (opposed national government)