Where did “we” come from?

1. Where did “we” come from? Not “we” the people…but “WE the people”

2. Declaring Independence • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg

3. Where it all began • SPOILER ALERT: our nation was created by colonists who were: • Fleeing religious persecution • Driven for their own religious identity • Looking to get rich • Fleeing debtor’s prison • Bringing the old world to new places • Trying to forget the closed confines of the OLD WORLD • Free persons • Indentured Servants • Slaves

4. American Governments #1 and 2 • Jamestown colony, 1607, held the first representative assembly. • Plymouth landing, 1620, first constitution, the Mayflower Compact • “solemnly & mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politick” • Established laws for “the generall good of the colonie” and promised “all due submission and obedience”

5. Governance Spreads • As colonies pop up throughout the “new world” several things happen: • Many of them adopt constitutions and elect representative assemblies • The British Crown install royal governors and send troops to the colonies • Colonies became used to a degree of self-governance

6. A Clash of Civilizations • The belief in self governance = angry British government. • 1774--Colonies established the “continental congress” • 1776—Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence • Declaring Independence = Birth of a Nation

7. Our First “National” Government • Even before the war ended the Continental congress passed a constitution. • On November 15, 1777 the Articles of Confederation were approved. • The articles of confederation created a “firm league of friendship” among the states. • Each state maintained its own sovereignty, freedom and independence. It could do whatever is “not…expressly delegated to the United States in Congress here assembled.” • Congress assembled to: provide for common defense, secure liberties and general welfare.

8. The Government is Officially Formed • They did not go into effect immediately after congress adopted them however. • The 13 states had to ratify the document for the Articles to become law. • 11 states ratified within a year. • Delaware adopted in February of 1779. • Maryland ratified them on March 1, 1781

9. Mo Governments, Mo Problems • Things were not perfect in the world of the AoC, we will look at problems that Americans would face with both their National Governments and their State Governments

10. The National Government Structure, powers, problems

11. Governmental Structure • The government was simple: • One Unicameral Body (one house/chamber). • Delegates were elected yearly by the states in any method they chose. • Each state had one vote, regardless of its size or wealth. • There was no executive or judicial branch of the government, everything was handled by congress. • The only leader was the presiding officer: • The President of congress. • They were not the President of the US.

12. What Could Congress Do? • Here is what the Confederation Government could act on: • Making war and peace • Sending and Receiving Ambassadors • Make Treaties • Borrow Money • Establish a system of Money • Establish Post Offices • Build a Navy • Raise an Army by asking for State Troops • Fix uniform standards of weight/measurements • Settle State-to-State Disputes

13. Problems with a National Government • People were afraid that the national government would be the British Crown 2.0 • People had no national identity • Edmund Randolph-Virginia • George Washington-Kentucky • This lead to decentralization • Small farmers etc. were happy • The rich were upset at various laws

14. Dealing with Foreign Entities • We were threatened by the following entities: • British • Spanish • Barbary pirates • Congress was weak in dealing with these because: • Couldn’t raise army (Draft or tax) • Couldn't create a binding treaty (states undercut them) • Couldn’t settle state by state disputes

15. Final Weaknesses • One vote per state, regardless of size. • Congress was powerless to collect taxes or duties. • Congress couldn’t regulate foreign and/or interstate commerce. • No executive branch to enforce acts of Congress. • No national Court system • Amendments made only by unanimous state approval • A 9/13 majority was required to pass laws • The articles were only a basis of friendship.

16. State Governments Obligations, Conflicts

17. State Structures • Many states adopted constitutions and held yearly elections for the state legislatures. • There were huge turnovers on a yearly basis • Politicians pandered and horse traded for favors, and as a result, things became more “democratic” • The legislative branch was the most powerful in many states, and became “tyrannical”

18. State Obligations • First, by ratifying the Articles, the States pledged to follow the acts of Congress. • This means they would provide the funds/troops requested • Treat outside citizens as equals to their citizens. • Give full faith and credit to public acts/judicial proceedings of every other state. • Surrender fugitives to other states • Submit their disputes to Congress to settle • Open travel and trade amongst the states • And, anything not expressly given to the Congress

19. The States Argue • The states spent much time arguing with each other • The government wasn’t powerful enough to settle these disputes. • Very rarely did the states back the decisions of the Congress. • Thus, states became increasingly jealous /suspicious of each other. • This is especially true when states would sign agreements with other foreign governments • An act forbidden by the Articles.

20. The Tipping Point • The states taxed each other’s goods and even banned some items of trade. • This lead to soaring prices, and unpaid debts • Violence broke out because of economic strife. • This lead to one of the most frightening rebellions in our young nation’s history • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ImIEcsTEVo

21. The Need for a Stronger Government • After the events of Shay’s rebellion many started calling for the creation of a stronger national government. • Especially individuals who were threatened by economic and political instability. • Property owners, merchants, traders and other creditors. • The movement really became powerful in 1785.

22. Meetings in Mount Vernon • Maryland and Virginia were the first two states who called for change. • They originally wished to meet to settle trade disputes. • They met in March of 1785. • The sessions were successful in easing their issues. • Because of the success of the meetings, the Virginia assembly called for a “joint meeting of all the states to regulate commerce”

23. Annapolis • That meeting opened in Annapolis on September 11, 1786. • Only 5 of 13 states were represented. • This convention called for yet another meeting. • By February of 1787, seven states had volunteered to send delegates to Philadelphia. • Finally, Congress also called to put pressure on the states to attend. • This meeting becomes known as the Constitutional Convention.