PresentationExpress

1
Objectives

• Explain how the states new constitutions
  reflected republican ideals.
• Describe the structure and powers of the national
  government under the Articles of Confederation.
• Summarize the Congresss plan for the settlement
  and governance of western lands.
• List the main weaknesses of the Articles.

2
Terms and People

• republic a government in which the people elect
  their representatives
• unicameral legislature a lawmaking body with a
  single house whose representatives are elected by
  the people
• bicameral legislature a lawmaking body with two
  houses, a Senate and a House of Representatives
• Articles of Confederation the original federal
  constitution drafted by the Continental Congress

3
Terms and People (continued)

• John Dickinson a member of the Continental
  Congress and leader of the committee that wrote
  The Articles of Confederation
• federal national
• Northwest Territory vast territory north of
  Ohio and west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi
  River, which was key to expanding the republic
• Land Ordinance of 1785 plan to dispense and
  distribute public land in the Northwest Territory

4
Terms and People (continued)

• Northwest Ordinance of 1787 plan for governing
  and creating new states carved out of the
  Northwest Territory
• Shays Rebellion an uprising of armed farmers
  marching on a federal arsenal in Springfield,
  Massachusetts, in protest against higher taxes

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What form of national government did the Patriots
create initially, and what events revealed that a
new government was necessary?
After the Revolutionary War, the Patriots feared
entrusting the government with too much power.
Most authority remained with the states. But
strong state governments and a weak national
government led to problems.
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Congress encouraged the former colonies to create
state constitutions.

• Patriots disagreed over how much power to give
  the common people.

• Each state constitution provided for a republic
  where people voted for their representatives.

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• weak state governments with most of their power
  in a popularly elected legislature.
• With a unicameral or one house legislature with
  either a weak governor or none at all.
• And a large House of Representatives where the
  people had more control.

There was disagreement over how much power the
state governments should have
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• a governor with broad powers.
• A bicameral legislature, with two houses.
• A senate made up of wealthy, well-educated
  gentlemen who would balance a lower house elected
  by the common people.

Some were afraid to give the people too much
power. They wanted
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There was also debate over who should vote.

• Most states all male taxpayers over age 21 to
  vote.
• some states required property ownership for
  voting.
• None gave the vote to women or to slaves.

10
Most new state constitutions guaranteed freedom
of religion.
Previously, colonies collected taxes for
religious institutions. Now, religious freedom
became the norm. The Virginia Statute of
Religious Freedom setthe example. It allowed for
religious liberty free of state influence.
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• It created a loose confederation or league of
  states in 1777.
• Congresss power was limited to prevent the
  problems experienced under Britain.

The Articles of Confederation was created by the
Continental Congress before the war ended.
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With the Articles, government power was limited.

• Congress made and enforced laws.
• There was no Executive power.
• Each state was equal with one vote in Congress.
• Majority rule determined most issues.
• Amendments (changes) to the Articles required the
  agreement of all 13 states.

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Congress had a limited role.
Congress could Congress could not
Declare war or conduct foreign policy. Tax
Administer relations with Indian nations. Regulate commerce between states or states and foreign nations
There was also no federal court system.
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The Articles created a method to settle and
govern the Northwest Territory.
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• Surveyors divided the territory into a N-S and
  E-W grid to establish hundreds of townships.
• Each township was subdivided into one square mile
  (640 acre) squares to sell at 1 each.
• Many farmers couldnt afford the 1 an acre, and
  some land speculators got special deals.

The Land Ordinance of 1785 established a method
to distribute public land.
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The Land Ordinance of 1785 grid system is still
evident today.
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Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set up a system to
govern territories and create states.
Congress established a territorial government and appointed a governor.
Settlers were guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and rights of common law.
Once there were 5,000 men, an assembly could be elected. The appointed governor retained veto power.
Once there were 60,000 residents, a territory could apply for statehood.
Congress established a territorial government and appointed a governor. Settlers were guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and rights of common law.
Once there were 5,000 men, an assembly could be elected. The appointed governor retained veto power. Once there were 60,000 residents, a territory could apply for statehood.
It abandoned the British model of keeping
colonies permanently subordinate.
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• prohibited slavery.
• required a constitution.
• promised settlers basic freedoms.
• ignored the rights of Native Americans.
• resulted in five new states Ohio, Indiana,
  Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of
  Minnesota.

The Northwest Ordinance
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Britain denied American ships access to the
British West Indies and the right to export goods
to Britain on American ships.

• Spain threatened to forbid the shipment of goods
  through New Orleans.
• Britain denied American ships access to the
  British West Indies and the right to export goods
  to Britain on American ships.
• Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located
  in the Northwest Territory.

European nations did not take the new nation
seriously.
Spain forbade American trade with New Orleans.
Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located
in the Northwest Territory.
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• The nations debt was mounting.
• The economic depression was deepening as debts,
  bankruptcies, and foreclosures grew.
• Foreign nations did not respect the United States.

Growing problems led to calls for a revision of
the Articles of Confederation.