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Following the American Revolution, the new nation faced significant challenges under the weak Articles of Confederation. Despite social changes promoting egalitarianism and the separation of church and state, the lack of central authority hindered governance. The 1787 Constitutional Convention addressed issues such as representation, the executive branch, and the contentious topic of slavery. Debates during ratification, showcased by The Federalist Papers, revealed deep divisions between Federalists advocating a strong central government and Anti-Federalists fearing governmental overreach. Ultimately, the Constitution emerged as a stronger framework for the federal government.
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The Confederation and the Constitution Although American colonies won the American Revolution, during this Critical Period the new nation was challenged with a weak constitution.
I. Post Revolutionary War Changes • Social -More egalitarian • Demise of military elite • More anti-slavery • Separation of Church/State • VA Statute on Religious Freedom, 1786 • No advantages women • NA lacked sovereignty • Political-more democratic • State governments evolve • Constitutional convention • Fundamental law • All: BofR & weak EX/JU • Economic-spread wealth • Depresision-s1780s • Foreign Trade
II. Articles of Confederation • Need for a Constitution • CC had no constitutional authority • Ratification dragged on, 1781 • Provisions • Congress chief agency • Each state single vote • Bills required 2/3 vote • Amendments consent • Strengths • Western Expansion a. Land and Northwest Ordinances • Weaknesses (intentional) • Couldn’t regulate commerce or tax • Revolutionary Spirit • Newburgh Conspiracy, 1783 • Shay’s Rebellion, 1786
III. The Constitutional Convention • Annapolis Convention, 1786 • Philadelphia Convention, 1787 • Objective? • Issues • Representation • Large (proportional representation) v. Small states (equal representation) • Strong Executive Branch • Electoral College • Slavery • 3/5’s Compromise, Slave Trade, Fugitive Slave laws • Commerce Compromise between Ag states and Industrial states • Principles of Government • Checks and Balances • The “elastic clause” • The “Supremacy Clause” • Conservative Safeguards • No Bill of Rights
IV. Ratification • Debates in state conventions • NH (1788) • VA a. James Mason • NY • The Federalist Papers • federalists • Well-educated, seaboard. • AofC weak, support strong central/national government, no need for Bill of Rights. • anti-federalists 1. Back country farmers, ill-educated, and debtors • AofC was good, opposed strong central/national government, wanted Bill of Rights.
Articles of Confederation Loose Confederation 1 legislative vote per state 2/3 vote for bills No Congressional power over commerce No congressional power to tax No federal courts Unanimity of states for amendment Constitution Firm federation At least 3 legislative votes Simple majority for bills Congress regulate commerce Congress can tax Federal courts Amendments less difficult More Conservative Strengthening of the Federal Government?
Practice: Putting Things in Order __ Fifty-five “demi-gods” meet secretly in Philadelphia to draft a new charter of government. __ The first American national government, more a league of states than a real government, goes into effect. __ At the request of Congress, the states draft new constitutions based on the authority of the people. __ The Constitution is ratified by the nine states necessary to put it into effect. __ Debtor farmers fail in a rebellion, setting off conservative fears and demands for a stronger government to control anarchy.
Answers 4, 2, 1, 5, 3
