United States History Mr' Stevens

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United States HistoryMr. Stevens

• Chapter 7
• The Critical Period (1781-1789)

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Articles of Confederation

• Adopted by Congress in 1777.
• Ratified in 1781.
• The first constitution that binds the states
  together from 1781-1789.
• Weaknesses
• No power to tax.
• No power to enforce decisions.

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Western Lands

• Land Ordinance of 1785
• Divided into townships, sections, and acres.
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787
• Not less than 3, no more than 5 states
• When population reached 60,000, they could apply
  for statehood.
• No slavery!

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The Critical Period

• Ignored by France.
• British still occupy forts in Northwest
  Territory.
• Spain wont let us use Mississippi river.
• Unfavorable balance of trade.
• Currency is worthless.
• Large debt.

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Shays Rebellion

• Low prices for crops and high property taxes were
  causing farmers to lose their farms.
• Daniel Shays led 2,000 farmers to attack courts
  and judges so they could not foreclose.
• Eased debt laws and pardoned Shays.
• More agreed, we needed a new govt.

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Constitutional ConventionMay 25, 1787
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The Great Compromise

• The Virginia Plan (large states plan)
• Wanted a two-house legislature w/ of
  representatives decided by states population.
• The New Jersey Plan (small states plan)
• Wanted one house with each state having one vote
  equal representation.
• The Connecticut Compromise
• Bicameral Legislature
• House of Representatives
• Senate

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Slavery

• 3/5 Compromise
• Established upon taxation and representation.
• Each slave would count as 3/5 of a person in
  representation in Congress.
• Congress could not stop the slave trade for 20
  years (1808).

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Constitutional Principles

• Federalism
• Division of power b/w states and national govt.
• Separation of Powers
• Executive branch (President)
• Legislative branch (Congress)
• Judicial branch (Courts)
• Checks and Balances
• Limited the power of each branch.

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Ratification of the Constitution

• Needed 9 states to approve
• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
• 11 states ratified by July 25, 1788
• April 30, 1789 George Washington is unanimously
  elected as the first President of the United
  States of America.

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