Early Government: Articles of Confederation and Colonial Experience
130 likes | 155 Vues
Learn about the Articles of Confederation, the first government of the US, shaped by colonial experiences. Discover strengths, weaknesses, Shay's Rebellion, and the road to the Constitutional Convention.
Early Government: Articles of Confederation and Colonial Experience
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Articles of Confederation • What does the word Articles mean? • A distinct part of a document (contract) dealing with a single subject.
What does Confederation mean? • A group of states united for a common purpose
Colonial Experience • How did the Colonial Experience shape our first Government? • What in their lives shaped the decisions of the Articles of Confederation? • What were some of these experiences that shaped the Articles of Confederation?
Experiences • Hated the KING • Taxation w/o representation • So…a weak central government was created to avoid having the govt. get out of hand w/power
Articles of Confederation 1781-1787 PURPOSE • Form a permanent union of the 13 states. • Recognition by European nations. • Stabilize prices & currency.
Articles of Confederation1st Government of the US Strengths • Send and receive foreign leaders • Won the American Revolutionary War • Named the nation • Declare War/Make Peace • Treaty of Paris • Borrow money • Northwest Ordinance
Articles of Confederation Weaknesses • Unicameral Legislation (one house Congress) • 2/3 majority needed to pass laws • No control over Interstate trade • No ability to collect taxes – money became worthless b/c nation was in deep debt • Had war debt, including the pay for soldiers….could not pay • No Chief Executive (President) • No National Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) • 13 of 13 colonies/states needed to amend document • No set currency
Shay’s Rebellion • How did this Massachusetts farmer help create a new government? (1786-1787) • Central government proved to be to weak. • Washington “what a triumph for our enemies… to find we are incapable of governing ourselves”
Constitutional Conventioncalled • Annapolis, Maryland- 1786 • 5 states showed up for this convention. • Cancelled • 1787 Philadelphia • May 28, 1787 • 55 Delegates from 12 of the 13 states showed up(Rhode Island stayed home)
Philadelphia • What needed to be repaired? • Who were some of the key people at the Convention? • How long did the debate last? • What do you know about your own government?
Famous Delegates • George Washington- Chairman • Ben Franklin • James Madison: “Father of the Constitution” • Alexander Hamilton
Common Traits • All Men • All White • Well Educated • Military Backgrounds • Political Experience • 35 Lawyers