Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)

  • confederation = a loose joining together of states which gave some rights to a National (Central) Government

  • Colonists didn’t want a strong central government due to their past experiences with the King

The First Constitution

  • first constitution was Articles of Confederation

    • instituted by Second Continental Congress

    • all 13 states ratified new government

    • created a weak national government → states had a lot of power

    • acted more as a treaty among states

Achievements of Confederate Government

  • Powers of National Government

    • make treaties

    • declare war

    • receive ambassadors

  • National government negotiated Treaty of Paris of 1783

    • officially ended war with England

    • officially set U.S. western border at Mississippi River

  • regulated pattern by which new states could join (Land Ordinance of 1785)

  • prohibited slavery in Northwest Territory (Northwest Ordinance of 1787)

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation

  • National government lacked power to deal with critical problems

  • No single national currency

  • National congress can’t tax people directly

    • has to ask for permission from states

  • Government lacked a single person to direct operations (president)

  • Needed 13 states to approve any proposed changes

    • made it nearly impossible to change constitution

Shay’s Rebellion

  • Late 1786 - Early 1787, debt-ridden farmers began shutting down courts because they were seizing land

  • Daniel Shay led rebellion

  • Federal government couldn’t help stop rebellion → privately-funded militia had to put down rebellion

  • This persuaded Americans that a stronger national government was needed

Writing & Ratifying the Constitution (1787-1789)

  • By late 1780s, government was too weak

  • Problem led states to call for constitutional convention in Independence Hall

  • Key Leaders Present:

    • George Washington → elected president of Constitutional Convention

    • James Madison → had most influence on Constitution

    • Ben Franklin

    • Alexander Hamilton → supported strong federal government

  • Key Figures Absent:

    • Thomas Jefferson & John Adams → in Europe

    • Patrick Henry refused

    • groups with limited rights (women, Native Americans, etc.)

Compromises

  • Virginia Plan

    • bicameral legislature (two parts)

    • states representation would be based on state’s population

    • high population states favored this, smaller population states didn’t

  • New Jersey Plan

    • unicameral legislature (one part)

    • each state had equal representation

    • large population states didn’t favor

  • Great Compromise

    • bicameral legislature

    • states had equal representation in upper house (Senate)

    • representation based in population in lower house (House of Representatives)

    • bills dealing with $$ would start in House, but would need to get approved by Senate

Slavery & the Constitution

  • Many Founding Fathers acknowledged that slavery violated liberties from American Revolution

  • They favored private property, limited government, pursuit of happiness (limited conflict)

    • didn’t take bold action against slavery

  • Shows Founding Fathers’ determination towards unity, security, and independence of U.S. rather than the issue of slavery

3/5 Compromise

  • Significant debate over slavery & power

  • Southerners wanted slaves to be counted in population

    • Wanted them counted in House of Representatives

    • Wouldn’t be counted when determining taxes

  • Compromise was that 3/5 of one person would count for representation & taxes