US History – Before 1865 Unit 7 ReviewArticles of Confederation & Constitution

Key Events and Timeline

• 1777: Articles of Confederation drafted and submitted to the states for ratification
• 1781: Articles of Confederation officially ratified by all 13 states, establishing the United States of America
• 1783: Treaty of Paris signed, officially ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing American independence
• 1786: Shays' Rebellion, a series of armed uprisings in Massachusetts, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
• 1787: Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation
  • May 25: Convention begins with a quorum of seven states
  • September 17: Constitution signed by 39 delegates
• 1788: Constitution ratified by nine states, the minimum required for it to take effect
  • June 21: New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify
• 1789: First Congress and President George Washington take office under the new Constitution

Major Players and Their Roles

• James Madison: Considered the "Father of the Constitution," he played a crucial role in drafting the document and advocating for its ratification
  • Authored many of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays promoting the Constitution
• George Washington: Presided over the Constitutional Convention and used his influence to support the Constitution's ratification
  • Became the first President of the United States under the new Constitution
• Alexander Hamilton: Advocated for a strong central government and played a key role in the Constitution's ratification process
  • Authored many of the Federalist Papers alongside Madison
• Benjamin Franklin: Eldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention, he provided wisdom and helped broker compromises
• George Mason: Refused to sign the Constitution due to the lack of a Bill of Rights, his opposition influenced the addition of these amendments
• Patrick Henry: Strong opponent of the Constitution, he argued that it gave too much power to the federal government at the expense of the states

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

• Weak central government: The Articles established a loose confederation of states with a weak national government
  • No executive branch or national judiciary
• Limited power to tax: The national government could not directly tax citizens, relying on voluntary contributions from the states
• Difficulty in passing legislation: Major laws required unanimous approval from all 13 states, making it challenging to enact necessary measures
• Lack of unified currency: Each state had its own currency, hindering trade and economic stability
• Inability to regulate trade: The national government could not effectively regulate commerce between states or with foreign nations
• Inadequate national defense: The government could not maintain a standing army, leaving the nation vulnerable to external threats
• Lack of authority to settle disputes: No national court system to resolve conflicts between states or enforce national laws

Constitutional Convention Highlights

• Attended by 55 delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island did not send delegates)
• Held in Philadelphia's Independence Hall from May 25 to September 17, 1787
• Original purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but delegates quickly decided to create a new constitution
• Delegates included many of the nation's most prominent leaders (James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin)
• Proceedings were held in secret to allow for open debate and compromise
• Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, called for a strong national government with three branches and representation based on population
• New Jersey Plan, proposed as an alternative, sought to maintain state sovereignty and equal representation in Congress
• Debates and compromises shaped the final document, balancing power between the national government and the states

Key Debates and Compromises

• Representation in Congress: Conflict between large and small states
  • Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise): Created a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation for each state
• Slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise: Debate over whether enslaved people should be counted for representation and taxation purposes
  • Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for determining representation and taxation
• Commerce and the Slave Trade: Disagreement over the regulation of trade and the importation of enslaved people
  • Commerce Compromise: Gave Congress the power to regulate interstate and international trade
  • Slave Trade Compromise: Prohibited Congress from banning the importation of enslaved people until 1808
• Election of the President: Debate over how the executive should be chosen
  • Electoral College: A system where electors, chosen by each state, vote for the President and Vice President

Structure of the New Government

• Three branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
  • Separation of powers and a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
• Legislative Branch (Congress): Consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives
  • Senate: Two senators per state, elected by state legislatures (later changed to direct election by the 17th Amendment)
  • House of Representatives: Number of representatives proportional to state population, elected directly by the people
• Executive Branch: Headed by the President, who is elected indirectly through the Electoral College
  • President serves as head of state, commander-in-chief of the military, and has the power to veto legislation
• Judicial Branch: Consists of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts
  • Judges appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
  • Interprets laws and has the power of judicial review to declare laws unconstitutional

Ratification Process and Challenges

• Constitution required ratification by at least nine states to take effect
• Federalists, led by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, supported the Constitution and advocated for a strong national government
  • Wrote the Federalist Papers, a series of essays promoting the Constitution
• Anti-Federalists, including George Mason and Patrick Henry, opposed the Constitution, arguing that it gave too much power to the national government and lacked a Bill of Rights
  • Wrote essays and letters critiquing the Constitution and warning of potential tyranny
• State ratification conventions held to debate and vote on the Constitution
  • Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey quickly ratified
  • Key battlegrounds included Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York
• Ratification process lasted from September 1787 to May 1790
  • Nine states had ratified by June 1788, allowing the Constitution to take effect
  • Final state, Rhode Island, ratified in May 1790

Legacy and Impact

• Established a more stable and effective government compared to the Articles of Confederation
• Created a system of checks and balances to prevent abuse of power
• Ensured individual rights through the addition of the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments)
• Provided a framework for the expansion and growth of the United States
• Served as a model for other nations seeking to establish democratic governments
• Amendments process allowed for the Constitution to adapt to changing times and needs
  • 27 amendments ratified since the Constitution's adoption
• Continued debates over the balance of power between the federal government and the states
• Ongoing discussions about the interpretation and application of the Constitution in modern times