Articles of Confederation/Government

Articles of Confederation

Did not grant a federal power to tax or regulate commerce

Did not establish a common currency

Did not establish an executive or judicial branch

What does this list suggest about the drafters of the Articles of Confederation?

• They did not want a judicial system based upon that of Great Britain.

• They feared that a strong central government would abuse its power.

• They were uncertain that democracy would continue to be the best type of government.

• They did not think that state governments could provide for the general welfare.

Why were the southern delegates to the Constitutional Convention willing to accept the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• It increased the political influence of the south.

• It allowed indentured servants in the South to become citizens.

• It decreased the federal tax on property in the South.

• It allowed the South to expand its industrial output.

Constitutional Convention

Virginia Plan-----> ? <---------New Jersey Plan

• Direct Democracy

• Great Compromise

  
  

• Checks and Balances

  
  

• Missouri Compromise

The Northwest Ordinance established guidelines for the orderly growth of the expansion of the United States by instituting a –

• method to purchase territory from foreign powers

• procedure for military takeovers of existing countries

• process through which states could be added to the Union (country.)

• compromise line that prohibited slavery

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.”

James Madison, The Federalist Papers No. 45

What was the main impact of the essay written by James Madison?

• The increased popular support for a bill of rights.

• They persuaded states to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

• They lead to the creation of a weaker federal government.

  
  

• They expressed the need for racial and gender equality.

What was a problem with the Articles of Confederation?

• Any congressional action required executive (Presidential) approval.

• Congress lacked the power to declare war.

• The National Court could not regulate trade.

• Congress lacked the power to tax.

The passage of the Northwest Ordinance

Shays’ Rebellion

Passage of the Bill of Rights

All of the events occurred during the –

• Exploration and Colonization Era

• Revolutionary Era

• Constitutional Era

• Jacksonian Era

Anti-federalist Beliefs

Wanted important political powers to remain with the states

Wanted the legislative powers to have more power than the executive

Feared a strong executive might become a King or a tyrant

?

What best completes the views of the Anti-federalist?

• Supported removing some power from the states and giving more powers to the national government.

• Favored dividing powers among different branches of government.

• Believed a bill of rights needed to be added to the Constitution to protects people’s rights.

• Proposed a single person to lead the executive branch.

All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States…

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U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 1

The provision is a response to which grievance from the Declaration of Independence?

• “For suspending our legislatures and declaring themselves invested with the power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.”

• “For abolishing the free system of English law in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government…”

• “He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public record.”

• “He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners.”

“No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possession, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send other to do so; except by the lawful judgement of his equals by the law of the land.”

Magna Carta, 1215

Which political idea was influenced by this provision of the Magna Carta?

• Federalism

• Due Process

• A bicameral legislature

• The social contract