🫡State and Federal Constitutions Unit 3 – Articles of Confederation & Constitution
The Articles of Confederation and Constitution marked pivotal moments in early American governance. The Articles established a weak central government, while the Constitution created a stronger federal system with checks and balances.
Key figures like Madison and Hamilton shaped these documents, influenced by Enlightenment thinkers. The Constitution addressed the Articles' shortcomings, balancing state and federal powers while protecting individual rights through the Bill of Rights.
American Revolution (1765-1783) led to the need for a new form of government for the newly independent colonies
Declaration of Independence (1776) asserted the colonies' right to self-governance and separation from British rule
Revolutionary War ended with the Treaty of Paris (1783), officially recognizing the United States as an independent nation
Challenges faced by the new nation included establishing a stable government, managing war debts, and maintaining unity among the states
Inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first governing document, became apparent in the post-war period
Weak central government lacked the power to effectively address national issues
Economic instability and interstate disputes highlighted the need for a stronger federal system
Key Players and Influences
Founding Fathers played crucial roles in shaping the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution
James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution," was a key figure in drafting the document
Alexander Hamilton advocated for a strong central government and played a significant role in the ratification process
Philosophers and political thinkers, such as John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu, influenced the Founders' ideas about government
Locke's concept of natural rights and the social contract theory shaped the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
Montesquieu's ideas about the separation of powers and checks and balances influenced the structure of the federal government
Federalists, led by Hamilton and Madison, supported a strong central government and the Constitution
Anti-Federalists, such as Patrick Henry and George Mason, opposed the Constitution, fearing it would lead to a tyrannical central government
The Federalist Papers, a series of essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay, played a crucial role in the ratification debate
Articles of Confederation: Structure and Weaknesses
The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States
Established a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government
The national government consisted of a single legislative body, the Congress of the Confederation
No executive or judicial branches were established
Major weaknesses of the Articles included:
Inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce, relying on voluntary contributions from the states
Lack of a national currency or the power to coin money
No power to raise a national army, relying on state militias
Amendments required unanimous consent of all states, making changes difficult
Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787), an armed uprising in Massachusetts, highlighted the government's inability to maintain order and stability
Constitutional Convention: Debates and Compromises
The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia from May to September 1787, aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation
Delegates, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin, ultimately decided to create a new constitution
Major debates and compromises at the Convention included:
The Virginia Plan, proposed by Madison, called for a strong central government with representation based on population
The New Jersey Plan, favored by smaller states, sought to maintain the structure of the Articles with equal representation for each state
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate
The Three-Fifths Compromise addressed the issue of slave representation, counting three-fifths of the slave population for determining representation and taxation
Delegates also debated the powers of the executive branch, the role of the judiciary, and the balance between state and federal authority
The Constitution: Structure and Principles
The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, established a federal system of government with a stronger central government than under the Articles
The Constitution is organized into seven articles, outlining the structure and powers of the federal government
Article I establishes the legislative branch (Congress) and its powers
Article II creates the executive branch (the President) and defines its authority
Article III establishes the judicial branch (the Supreme Court and lower federal courts)
The Constitution incorporates key principles, such as:
Separation of powers: dividing the government into three distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to prevent the concentration of power
Checks and balances: each branch has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches, ensuring a balance of power
Federalism: dividing power between the federal government and the states, with the Constitution as the supreme law of the land
Individual rights: the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) guarantees specific freedoms and protections for citizens
The amendment process, outlined in Article V, allows for changes to the Constitution to adapt to changing times and needs
Ratification Process and Debates
The Constitution required ratification by nine out of the thirteen states to be enacted
Federalists, who supported the Constitution, argued that a strong central government was necessary for the nation's stability and prosperity
The Federalist Papers, written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, made a compelling case for ratification
Federalists believed that the Constitution provided sufficient checks and balances to prevent tyranny
Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, fearing that it would lead to a powerful and oppressive central government
They argued that the Constitution lacked sufficient protections for individual rights and state sovereignty
Anti-Federalists pushed for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberties
The ratification process sparked intense debates in state conventions, with close votes in several key states (Massachusetts, Virginia, New York)
Ultimately, the Constitution was ratified by all thirteen states, with Rhode Island being the last to ratify in 1790
Comparison: Articles vs. Constitution
The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution represented different approaches to governance in the early United States
Key differences between the two documents include:
Central government: the Articles created a weak central government, while the Constitution established a stronger federal government with more powers
Branches of government: the Articles had only a legislative branch, while the Constitution created three separate branches (legislative, executive, judicial)
Taxation and commerce: the Articles did not give the central government the power to tax or regulate commerce, while the Constitution granted these powers to Congress
Amendment process: the Articles required unanimous consent of all states for amendments, while the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states
The Constitution addressed many of the weaknesses of the Articles, creating a more effective and stable system of government
The Constitution's balance of power, checks and balances, and federalism provided a foundation for the nation's growth and development
Legacy and Modern Relevance
The Constitution has served as the supreme law of the United States for over 230 years, guiding the nation through significant challenges and changes
The Constitution's adaptability, through the amendment process, has allowed it to remain relevant and responsive to the needs of a growing nation
27 amendments have been ratified since the Constitution's adoption, addressing issues such as civil rights, voting rights, and presidential succession
The Constitution's principles, such as separation of powers and federalism, continue to shape American politics and government
Debates over the proper balance between federal and state power, as well as the scope of individual rights, often reference the Constitution and its interpretation
The U.S. Constitution has influenced the constitutions of other nations, serving as a model for democratic governance and the protection of individual rights
Ongoing debates about constitutional interpretation, such as originalism vs. living constitutionalism, reflect the document's enduring significance in American legal and political discourse