Creating a New Government

1
Creating a New Government

• States versus National Governments

2
Do Now

• The year is 1787. You have recently helped
  your fellow patriots overthrow decades of
  oppressive British rule. However, its easier to
  destroy an old system of government than to
  create a new one. In a world of kings and
  tyrants, your new republic struggles to find its
  place.
• How can the new nation avoid a return to
  tyranny?
• How can the rights of all people be protected?

3
The Challenge

• Each colony had their own culture with its own
  governor, council and colonial assembly.
• As a result, people were very loyal to their
  state government.
• Challenge To create a government that balanced
  the interests of several states with those of the
  national government.

4
The Solution

• State Constitutions Each state maintained its
  own government with their own constitution.
• National Constitution Articles of Confederation
• Confederation a loose alliance of independent
  states in which the states decide how much power
  the national government will have.

5
Republicanism

• Both state and national governments upheld the
  principle of republicanism.
• Republicanism is the idea that governments should
  be based on the consent of the people.

6
Articles of Confederation

• First constitution of the United States.
• Adopted in 1781
• The A.O.C. created a weak national government
  because colonists feared a strong central
  government.

7
What powers did the AOC grant the national
government

• The national government consisted of one
  representative from each state.
• The national government could
• Declare war
• Raise an army and navy
• Make treaties
• Receive ambassadors

8
State Constitutions

• Limits on the power of the government leaders
• Guaranteed specific rights to citizens-freedom of
  speech, religion and the press.
• Majority of states required property ownership in
  order to vote.

9
New Jersey State Constitution

• The first of three Constitutions was adopted on
  July 2, 1776.
• It allowed property owning men, women and free
  blacks to vote. However, this right was taken
  away in the 1847 Constitution.
• Todays NJ Constitution was adopted in 1948