Recording-2025-03-04T06:29:11.424Z

Introduction to the Formation of the U.S. Government

• Overview of the transition from colonies to independent states

• Breaking the PowerPoint into two digestible videos for easier understanding

The Initial Steps After Independence

• 1776: Declaration of Independence

  • Founding Fathers begin considering a new government system after rejecting monarchy

  • Desire for a government rooted in Enlightenment ideas

• Articles of Confederation: The First U.S. Government

  • Established as a response to rejected monarchic rule

  • Initially sounds promising but ultimately fails due to several weaknesses

Transition from Colonies to States

• Formation of State Constitutions

  • As the American Revolution unfolds, each of the 13 colonies drafts its own constitution

  • Establishment of state governments, typically with bicameral legislatures

  • Bicameral system modeled on British Parliament

• Changes in Governance

  • Royal governors are removed, replaced by elected governors chosen by the people

  • Voting requirements: Property ownership necessary to vote or hold office

  • Exclusions: Women and non-whites are barred from voting, leading to limited democratic representation

Gerrymandering and Election Districts

• Manipulation of electoral districts to favor certain political interests

  • Origin of the term "gerrymandering" traced back to politician Elbridge Gerry

  • Unfair and undemocratic system established to maintain power for elite

Rights and Citizen Elections

• State constitutions outline citizen rights and mandate regular elections

• Shift from colonies to state governance: a significant transformation

The Need for a Federal Government

• Realization among founders of the need for federal oversight of independent states

  • Fear of centralized authority and mob rule led to the creation of a balanced government

• Articles of Confederation Drafting

  • Drafting started in 1777, ratified in 1781 (only one state did not ratify)

  • Modeled after the Iroquois Confederacy and the Great Law of Peace

  • Emphasis on state rights, limiting the power of the federal government

Structure of the Articles of Confederation

• One central branch: Congress only

  • Members elected by state legislatures, not by direct vote

  • Each state has one equal vote in Congress

• Limitations of Congress

  • Required unanimous consent for taxes, 7 states for minor legislation, and 9 states for major actions like declaring war

  • No executive branch or judicial branch—only Congress exists

  • No national currency or taxes leads to economic chaos

Problems Faced Under the Articles of Confederation

• Major debt of approximately $160 million post-revolution

  • Attempt to print currency ("continentals") fails, losing 98% of value

  • States revert to independent currencies causing trade issues

• Lack of trade agreements with Britain hampers economic progress

  • Individual state trade agreements cause complications

Success in Western Land Management

• Congress establishes authority over Western land claims

  • Ordinance of 1785 sets procedures for surveying and claiming western land

  • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 organizes territories and prohibits slavery in new states

Failure Highlighted by Shay's Rebellion

• Economic distress from high taxes in Massachusetts leads to revolt led by Daniel Shays

  • Farmers protest due to lack of currency and high taxation

  • Revolt shows the weak enforcement of laws and inability of Congress to maintain order

• Result of the Rebellion

  • State militia ultimately quells the revolt but highlights the necessity for a stronger federal government

  • Leads to a reconsideration of government structure at the Philadelphia Convention

Conclusion

• Summary of weaknesses seen in the Articles of Confederation, prompting the need for a new constitution

• The next part will cover additional issues surrounding the drafting of the U.S. Constitution

• Invitation for questions and reminders of the next video to continue the discussion.