The Consitutional Convention and the New Constitution

The Articles of Confederation was a new (written) plan for government. It was the nation's first _________________.

(clue: think of this word as a rulebook or "blueprint" for how a government should operate)

• declaration

• resolution

• constitution

• confederation

What is a CONFEDERATION?

(This map shows the Southern confederation of states, leading up to the Civil War in 1860. We will be studying this in a later unit.)

• a loose union/organization of states that are united for a common purpose

• a central (national) government only

• individual state governments

Answer explanation

There were 13 original states in the new country.

What happens when a document (or a law) gets ratified (to ratify)?

It is officially & formally...

• approved

• rejected

• neither approved or rejected

Imagine you're in a world where documents (or laws) can magically disappear!

When a document (or a law) is repealed (to repeal), it's been...

• given a big thumbs up (approved)

• zapped away (rejected and completely abolished)

• stuck in limbo (neither approved nor rejected)

Where did the Founding Fathers gather, during the Second Continental Congress, to draft and cast their votes on both the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution?

hint: It's also where they wrote & signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776!

• Independence Hall (Philadelphia, PA)

• the U.S. Capital

  (Washington, D.C.)

• the Pentagon

  (Washington, D.C.)

• Federal Hall

  (New York City, NY)

Answer explanation

Before Independence Hall, they used to meet at Carpenter's Hall (which was the "State House of Pennsylvania").

Independence Hall was also the LARGEST building in Philadelphia, at that time, and that's why they chose to meet there.

This is the famous "signing room" inside Independence Hall in Philadelphia. 📜✍️

Which important events occurred in this very room?

(Pick 2 answers)

• the signing of the Declaration of Independence

• the signing of the Mayflower Compact in 1620 (by the Puritans/Pilgrims)

• the signing of the Articles of Confederation and later, the U.S. Constitution

• the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783 (which ended the Revolutionary War)

Answer explanation

You can still go and see the "signing room" today. It's open to the public.

All of Independence Hall has been preserved (kept) in its original condition, as it looked like in the late 1700's.

The Articles of Confederation created a system in which the ______________ had the most power.

• state governments

• national government

Answer explanation

Remember...The state governments had more power than the national government, under the Articles of Confederation.

They were basically acting like their own little "independent countries", at this time.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. government had only one branch.

What was the only branch created under this system?

• the legislative branch

  (the lawmaking branch)

• the executive branch

  (the law enforcement branch)

• the judicial branch

  (the law courts branch)

Answer explanation

They could make laws but had no ability to enforce those laws!

Under the Articles of Confederation, there were a few things the national government could NOT do.

Can you pick them out?

(Choose 3 answers)

• the national gov. could not collect federal taxes

• the national gov. could not declare war against other countries

• the national gov. could not keep an official standing army

  (a national military)

• the national gov. could not have a national currency

  (money system)

• the national gov. could not sign treaties (agreements) with other countries

Answer explanation

Remember....Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government also could not regulate commerce (trade) between the states. They only had one branch of gov. (only the legislative branch)

It was hard to easily pass new laws (because the majority of states had to agree) and it was nearly impossible to enforce their laws. State governments could basically do whatever they wanted, under this system.

The Articles of Confederation were a bit stingy (not wanting to collect too much money)!

They didn't let the national/federal government collect tax money ($$), otherwise known as ________________.

• bargains

• revenue

• credits

• debts

Answer explanation

Revenue (tax $$) is what keeps the government functioning and able to provide services to its citizens.