Articles of Confederation to Constitution

Influences On American Government

Early Documents & Thinkers

Multiple Choice

In English history, the Magna Carta (1215) and the English Bill of Rights (1689) both reinforced the concept of

• universal suffrage

• a limited monarchy

• religious toleration

• a laissez-faire economy

Multiple Choice

The American concept of due process can be traced back to common law practices that were FIRST codified in the

• Magna Carta

• Mayflower Compact

• English Bill of Rights

• Articles of Confederation

Multiple Choice

How did the English Bill of Rights limit the power of the monarch?

• Parliament could not rule without the consent of the monarch.

• A cabinet was created to represent Parliament's majority party.

• The monarch could not levy taxes without a specific grant from Parliament.

• Nobles were selected to be a part of the monarch's special advisory group.

Fill in the Blank

The Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, and Petition of Rights have all had a last impact on American democracy by providing a foundation for

Multiple Select

Select the following documents that limited government

• Hammurabi's Code

• Magna Carta

• English Petition of Right

• English Bill of Rights

Multiple Choice

This is the idea that no one is above the law

• rule of law

• due process

• self government

• Magna Carta

Multiple Choice

This is a concept that the government should serve the will of the people through a small group of elected officials.

• ordered government

• limited government

• representative government

• authoritarian government

Multiple Choice

This concept states that government is not all powerful and is restricted in what it can and cannot do.

• ordered government

• limited government

• representative government

• authoritarian government

Multiple Choice

The Baron de Montesquieu developed this idea of government

• bicameral legislature

• three branches of government

• unicamiral legislature

• the invisible hand

Multiple Choice

John Locke believed that people had which type of rights?

• Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• Freedom of Speech, Religion & Press

• The Right to Bare Arms and the Right to a Trial by Jury

• Life, liberty, and property

Multiple Choice

John Locke inspired the writing of this important document by Thomas Jefferson.

• Magna Carta

• US Constitution

• Mayflower Compact

• Declaration of Independence

Multiple Choice

What is a social contract?

• an agreement between all the leaders of the country

• an agreement between the people of the country and the government

• an agreement between you and a record label to release your next musical hit

Multiple Choice

According to John Locke what must the government do with people's rights?

• Get rid of them

• Protect Them

• Get Over them

Multiple Choice

Thomas Hobbs is considered an outlier because he believes a Social Contract must have this type of person in charge?

• A Fair Leader

• A Weak King

• An Absolute Monarch

• The President

Multiple Choice

Thomas Hobbes believed that all humans are _______________.

• pure and innocent
• selfish and wicked

Multiple Choice

Who believed in a social contract between the people and the government in which people gave up some freedom in order to have their rights protected?

• Voltaire
• Montesquieu
• Rousseau
• Hobbes

Multiple Choice

Which enlightenment thinker believed that a government is needed to keep order?

• Voltaire
• Hobbes
• Rousseau
• Beccaria

Multiple Choice

What notable document in the United States contains wording similar to the Petition of Right?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Magna Carta

• The Colonial Charter

• The Constitution

Multiple Choice

Which of the following provided the model for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution?

• Mayflower Compact
• English Bill of Rights
• Magna Carta
• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

The Constitution

By Mary Corrigan

Articles of Confederation

First constitution; confederal government

States held most of the power with a weak central government

​

Weaknesses:

no federal taxes, no national military, no national trade alliances, no president, no common currency, one branch of government​; amendments must be approved by all 13 colonies

Shay's Rebellion showed how the national government was unable to control and enforce laws among the states

Multiple Choice

Which of the following weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were corrected by creating the Executive Branch under the current Constitution?

• different currencies per state

• no national military

• no ability to negotiate national treaties

• no ability to collect taxes

Constitutional Convention

Delegates from 12 colonies meet to make new Constitution

Federal power: strong national government shares power with states

​

Separation of Powers: power split across three branches

​

Checks and Balances: each branch has the ability to limit the others​

​

Amendments: proposed by 2/3 Congress, ratified by ​3/4 states

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was not an outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

• The federal government was broken into three branches

• The US separated from England and became an independent country

• The branches were able to limit the power of the others

• An official amendment process was established

New Jersey Plan: 1 chamber, 1 vote per state

​Virginia Plan: 2 chambers, representation based on population​

​

Congress: bicameral; Senate - 2 votes per state, House - population = representation

Great Compromise

Federalists: wanted strong central government, president; against Bill of Rights; Federalist Papers

​

Anti-Feds: Against federal power, against president; demanded Bill of Rights​

​

Feds/Anti-Feds

Disagreements

Constitution worked to find compromise between all groups and better represent the needs of the people

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was a shared concern among the disagreements between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists and the supporters of the New Jersey v. Virginia Plans?

• Both centered around the idea of who would lead the federal government

• Both centered around the way in which the legislative branch should be shaped

• Both sets of discussions centered around the distribution of power between the federal government and the states

• Both centered around the idea of giving the federal government legislative power

Parts of the Constitution

Preamble: introduction; self-government and 6 promises of government

Article I: Establishes Legislative Branch (Congress)

Article II: Establishes Executive Branch​ (President)

Article III: Establishes Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)

Article​ IV: Reserved Powers; how to admit new states

Article V: How to amend the Constitution

Article VI: Supremacy Clause

Article VII: How to ratify the Constitution​

Subject | Subject

The Constitution is the longest, continuest use constitution in the World

Multiple Choice

Which of the following parts of the Constitution contains the idea that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land?

• Preamble

• Article I

• Article II

• Article VI

Preamble

We the people - self government; popular sovereignty

In order to form a more perfect union - make our country better than under the Articles

Establish justice - create a fair court system of laws

Ensure domestic tranquility - keep peace at home

Provide for the common defense - national military and protection

Promote the General Welfare​ - ensure the security and wellbeing of citizens

Secure the blessings of liberty - freedom for ourselves and our children

Do ordain and establish - ​give this document power

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

Which part of the Preamble supports the idea of self-government?

• We the people...

• establish justice...

• ensure domestic tranquility...

• promote the general welfare...

Articles of Confederation

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution for the United States of America

• Ratified by the 13 colonies in 1781

The Articles of Confederation gave states full and complete power to rule themselves causing a weak central government.

• Americans feared that if they gave too much power to the federal government they would be left with similar issues and concerns they had while under King George III rule.

• Americans thought that too much government power would infringe on their rights, and liberties they fought to get.

Multiple Choice

The Articles of Confederation formed a _______ Government?

• Strong

• Weak

• Powerful

Multiple Choice

Americans feared that if they gave the government too much _____ they would be left with similar issues they had while under King George III rule

• Power

• Money

• Freedom

Multiple Choice

Under the Articles of Confederation who had the most power?

• People

• National Government

• King

• States

Weaknesses under the Article of Confederation

• Congress could not collect taxes to pay back dept

• No common currency

• Weak national government

• No national court system

• Unable to enforce laws

• 9 out of 13 states had to vote in order to approve a law. Each state was only allowed one vote

• All states (13) had to vote in order to amend the Articles of Confederation.

Multiple Choice

Congress could collect tax?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Congress could enforce laws and force the states to obey those laws.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

There was no common currency/money for all 13 states.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

How many votes did congress need to approve a new law?

• 13

• 5

• 9

• 7

Multiple Choice

How many votes did each state get to contribute?

• 1

• 2

• 3

Multiple Choice

How many votes did congress need in order to make amendments to the Articles of Confederation?

• 9

• 7

• 50

• 13

Strengths under the Articles of Confederation

• Establish and maintain military

• Make Treaties

• Settle disputes among states

Multiple Choice

Congress was able to establish a national army to defeat the British in the American Revolution.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Congress granted all power to the national government and did not give states and free citizens rights.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Congress was able to negotiate the end of the American Revolution by signing the Treaty of Paris.

• True

• False

Articles of Confederation

by Taylor Looney

​Articles of Confederation

• ​First Constitution in America

• ​Weak on purpose

• ​Single branch of government

Fill in the Blank

The Articles of Confederation were ____ on purpose.

​VOCAB!!!!

• ​constitution: document that sets out the laws and principles of the government

Multiple Choice

What does a constitution do?

• defines unalienable rights

• sets out laws and principles of a government

• separates branches of government

• lists grievances

​Strengths

• ​States rights

• ​Ability to:

  • ​Declare war

  • ​Make peace treaties

Multiple Choice

Under the Articles of Confederation, who had more power?

• states

• government

​Strengths

• ​Authority to:

  • ​operate post offices

  • ​maintain army

  • ​conduct foreign affairs

Multiple Choice

The Articles of Confederation gave the government the authority to operate...?

•  banks

• hospitals

• post offices

• schools

​Weaknesses

• ​9 states approval

• ​no court system

Multiple Choice

Under the Articles of Confederation, the government did not have a(n) ...

• national court system

• army

• constitution

• alliance with foreign countries

​Weaknesses

• ​No power to:

  • ​tax

  • ​regulate trade

  • ​currency

  • ​amend/enforce laws

  • ​standing army

​

​https://youtu.be/Gw7gZS_B5mY

Multiple Choice

The Articles of Confederation allowed the states to refuse ...

• creating and army

• common currency

• voting

• taxation

​VOCAB

• ​ratification: official approval

Multiple Choice

Ratification means ...

• a vote

• a veto

• official approval

• document of laws

Constitutional Convention

​The Constitutional Convention

​In 1787, 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 states (every state except Rhode Island) attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

​

They met to amend (make changes to) the Articles of Confederation. However, in order to amend the Articles of Confederation all 13 states would have to agree. Only 12 states showed up so this was impossible. They eventually decided to scrap the Articles of Confederation and make a new constitution 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

• To create a new constitution

• To revise the Articles of Confederation

• To form a national army 

• To strengthen the power of the states

Multiple Choice

Why did they have to change their goals to making a new constitution instead of revising the Articles of Confederation?

• They didn't have enough states at the convention to get the 100% approval needed to amend the Articles of Confederation

• No one at the Convention liked the Articles of Confederation

• They didn't have enough time to revise the Articles of Confederation

​Vocabulary

The men who wrote the Constitution are referred to by  several different names. These include:

Delegates - A representative sent to a conference. 

Framers - A person who shapes a concept or plan. 

Founding Fathers - The men who created the U.S. government 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a name that describes  the men who attended the Constitutional Convention?

• Delegates

• Framers of the Constitution

• Founding Fathers

• Parliament

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the Constitutional Convention?

• A secretive meeting that created a new government for the United States

• A public meeting that all U.S. citizens were invited to attend to create a new government

• A meeting between Great Britain and the U.S. to discuss the terms of the end of the Revolution

​Framers of the Constitution

• ​All delegates at the Constitutional Convention were white men, most were very wealthy and well-educated and more than half were lawyers and had previous government experience.

• More than half of the delegates were slave owners.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the framers of the Constitution?

• Average Americans

• Wealthy, well educated and powerful

• Loyalists

• Poor and uneducated 

​Framers of the Constitution

• The delegates included some well-known patriots such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not attend because they were in other countries handling important business for the U.S. 

• However, some famous patriots intentionally did not come such as Patrick Henry. There were many Americans who did not want the Articles of Confederation to be changed.

Multiple Choice

All Americans supported the idea of replacing the Articles of Confederation with a new form of government

• True

• False

President of the Convention

• George Washington was chosen to be the president of the convention because he was respected by many and viewed as a unifying person.

Father of the Constitution

• James Madison took many notes at the convention, and would eventually go on to write most of the Constitution. This is why he is called “The Father of the Constitution” today. 

Multiple Choice

George Washington was the president of the Constitutional Convention

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

John Adams was known as the "Father of the Constitution" because of the large role he played in writing the Constitution

• True

• False

​Compromise at the Constitutional Convention

• ​The delegates at the Constitutional Convention had many different ideas on how the new government should be set up. The debates lasted for 3 months!

• ​The only way for them to be able to create a Constitution that could be passed by a majority of states was to work together and make compromises

A compromise is when two different sides disagree but come to a middle ground where they can both get something they want.​

​Turn & Talk

​What is an example of a compromise that you have made with someone or that you have seen happen?

​

​Remember in order for it to be a true compromise, both sides must get some of what they want (both sides meet in the middle)

Articles of Confederation

Social Studies

Who wrote the Articles of Confederation?

●

Altogether, six drafts of the Articles were
prepared before Congress settled on a final
version in 1777.

●

Benjamin Franklin wrote the first and
presented it to Congress in July 1775.

Multiple Choice

How many drafts were prepared before they passed the final version in 1777

• nine

• six

• five

• four

Fill in the Blank

_______presented the first draft of the Articles .

What was the Articles of Confederation?

●

The Articles of Confederation was an
agreement among the 13 original states of the
United States of America that served as its first
constitution.

●

(Our first constitution, inspired by Hiawatha!)

●

Constitution - “a group of important ideas/rules
which an organization agrees to be governed
(ruled) under”

Multiple Choice

a group of important ideas/rules which an organization agrees to be governed (ruled) under” is called a ___________

• Constitution

• compact

• agreement

• statement

When was the document ratified by the colonies?

●

In order for the Articles to be official, they had to
be approved by all thirteen states.

●

The Congress sent the articles to the states to
be ratified near the end of 1777.

●

Ratified - signed or made official

Multiple Choice

How many states had to ratify or pass the Articles ?

• 12

• 13

• 11

• 10

Where was the Articles of Confederation drafted?

●

The Articles of Confederation was an
agreement among the 13 original states of the
United States of America that served as its first
constitution.

●

It was approved, after much debate between
July 1776 and November 1777.

●

Drafted and ratified by the 2nd Continental
Congress in Pennsylvania

Multiple Choice

Which state did delegates meet to write and discuss the Articles of

Confederation ?

• New York

• Pennsylvania

• Georgia

• New Jersey

Why did the colonies write the Articles of Confederation?

●

The colonies knew they needed some form of
official government that united the thirteen
colonies.

●

They wanted to have written down rules that
all the states agreed to.

Multiple Choice

Why did they write the Articles of Confederation ?

• They wanted start a war

• They wanted to unify the 13 states

• They wanted to have a king ruling

• They wanted one person to decide all laws

Open Ended

What was one weakness of the Articles of Confederation according to the political cartoon ?

Multiple Choice

Congress could not levy or collect taxes

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

The Articles of Confederation did not include

• a national court

• a president

• a way to collect taxes

• all the above

Multiple Choice

The Articles included a president and executive branch

• True

• False

Articles of Confederation to the Constitution

Building a Government from Scratch

Multiple Choice

Under the Articles of Confederation, who held the most power?

• Congress

• The States

• The President

• Parliament

Fill in the Blank

The ________ plan was preferred by larger states.

Multiple Choice

Why did smaller states like the New Jersey plan?

• larger states had more votes

• equal number of votes

• President would have to come from New Jersey

• One house of Congress

Multiple Choice

Who proposed the Great Compromise?

• George Washington

• Roger Sherman

• Thomas Jefferson

• Abraham Lincoln

​Roger Sherman

• ​Delegate in the Continental Congress from 1774 - 1784

• Helped write Declaration of Independence​

• ​Senator from Connecticut

• ​Proposed the "Great Compromise"

• His plan for a House of Reps and Senate is still in place today​

​

Multiple Choice

Why did southern slave states want slaves to count towards population?

• more representation and power in gov't

• more money from the President

• more people to enlist in the army

Multiple Choice

Only the Senate and House of Representatives can propose and pass laws.

• TRUE

• FALSE

The Critical Period and US Constitution

The Articles of Confederation

1781-1789

Confederacy: State Governments control Central Government
The Articles of Confederation was the governing document of the US before the Constitution


The war was not yet officially over

Read Page 98 - 99

The Articles of Confederation Section

Prepare to respond without the textbook to
1) the powers of the central government
2) problems with the Articles without the Textbook

Multiple Choice

Which was not a power of the Confederate Central Government?

• Settling Disputes between states

• Declaring War

• Borrowing Money

• Override any state decision

Confederacy

1. The Central Government is subordinate to the State Governments

2. Central Government is made up of a congress which can

   1. deal with certain foreign affairs

   2. borrow money

   3. regulate value of currency

   4. Declare or end war

   5. raise an army

   6. Mediate and settle disputes between states

Open Ended

What were the 3 major problems of the Articles?

Problems with the Articles

1) Incredibly difficult to pass anything - 9 out of 13 vote
2) The Central Government didn't have much ability to do anything
3) Congress couldn't raise taxes

Multiple Choice

Were the Articles of Confederation ratified before or after the Declaration of Independence?

• Before

• After

• Same time

• time time

Presidents of the US

• John Hanson

• Elias Boudinot

• Thomas Mifflin

• Richard Henry Lee

• John Hancock

• Nathaniel Gorham

• Arthur St. Clair

• Cyrus Griffin

Problems with the Articles

1) Incredibly difficult to pass anything - 9 out of 13 vote
2) The Central Government didn't have much ability to do anything
3) Congress couldn't raise taxes

Final Major Victory

1781

In 1781 General Cornwallis (British) lost a major defeat at Yorktown

Scattered Battles continued for the next year, but the war was essentially lost for the British

The Treaty of Paris (#2)

1783 - War officially over

England recognized the 13 Independent States

Still governed under the Articles of Confederation by the Continental Congress

The Constitution

1783 - War officially over

England recognized the 13 Independent States

Still governed under the Articles of Confederation by the Continental Congress

Multiple Choice

What is the correct order of the Documents?

• 1) The Constitution, 2) Dec. of Independence, 3)Articles of Confederation

• 1)Dec. of Independence 2)Articles of Confederation

  3) Constitution

• 1)Dec. of Independence 2)Constitution

  3) Articles of Confederation