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Articles Time Period & Constitutional Convention

Articles Time Period & Constitutional Convention. A of C. John Dickinson drafted the plan to protect the power of the states Adopted by Congress 1777, last ratified March 1781. A of C Time Period Accomplishments. War was won Land Ordinance 1785 Northwest Ordinance 1787.

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Articles Time Period & Constitutional Convention

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  1. Articles Time Period &Constitutional Convention

  2. A of C • John Dickinson drafted the plan to protect the power of the states • Adopted by Congress 1777, last ratified March 1781

  3. A of C Time PeriodAccomplishments • War was won • Land Ordinance 1785 • Northwest Ordinance 1787

  4. A of C Time PeriodProblems • Continued British occupation of forts in Ohio Valley and along Canadian border-Americans had not repaid pre-war debts; British also suspected of stirring up Indian attacks • Confiscated Loyalist property-some fled to Canada or Britain, persecutions, even lynchings; others resumed lives okay

  5. A of C Time PeriodProblems • With Spanish-southern boundary and navigation rights along the Miss. River • Economic troubles-merchants cut from the British mercantile system; agric. trade with foreign markets suffered a downturn • Lack of uniformity on tariffs/trade restrictions-est. a commercial war between states

  6. A of C Time PeriodProblems • Local manuf. just starting out-needed states to give preference to American goods • Currency shortage-new paper money was divisive (debtors vs. creditors)

  7. A of C Time PeriodProblems-Shays’ Rebellion • 1786 • Shays, a MA. farmer and Rev. war vet, led an uprising vs. taxes (angry with govt. in Boston) • Economic issues (slowdown in market, debt to Britain, debt to wealthy, etc.) forced many states to pass high taxes: MA. had one of the highest • Farmers in debt, facing imprisonment and foreclosure, took up arms

  8. A of C Time PeriodProblems-Shays’ Rebellion • Shays led about 1000 farmers to seize weapons at Springfield (arsenal)-free debtors • MA. raised an army of about 4400 to suppress the rebellion, went in with cannons and scattered the debtor army with cannon volley, killing 4

  9. A of C Time PeriodProblems-Shays’ Rebellion • Rumors exaggerated the event-fear of other insurgencies for this young govt. arose • Tyranny can come from other areas, including the common people • Calls for a strong central govt.

  10. Questions • Started with the states and questions over navig. Rights on the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay • Decided to invite all 13 states to a discussion on interstate cooperation/commercial problems • Annapolis Convention-1786-only 5 appeared (no NE states, Carolinas nor GA): Hamilton presented to meet again the following year in Philly

  11. Constitutional Convention • 1787-Congress endorsed a convention “for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation” • May, June…arrive • One of the hottest recorded summers

  12. Constitutional Convention-Rules • Proceedings were to be conducted in secret • Each state was allowed one vote (Rhode Island was not present-distrustful of fed. govt.) • Poll was often taken to see where people stood on issues-not to be recorded • Each delegate could speak only twice on each issue until everyone else had been given the opportunity to speak • Everyone was expected to pay strict attention • All remarks were to be addressed to the president of the convention and not members

  13. Convention • 55 attended one time or another-spotty attendance • Most delegates were young-42 was avg. age • All jobs, but mostly prominent lawyers, planters and merchants • President-G. Washington; secretary-James Madison • Ben Franklin (oldest at 81); A. Hamilton from NY (absent a good deal) • John Adams and Thomas Jefferson away on diplomatic missions • Patrick Henry refused to attend-fear of central govt. • After debate, agree to scrap the Articles; draft Constit.

  14. Debates • Representation in Congress -VA Plan-bicameral (2-house) legislature determined by size/pop. -NJ Plan-single house with equal 1 vote -CT, or Great Comp.-bicameral legislature- equal in Senate, House depends on state population

  15. Debates • Counting slaves within pop. to determine representation • 3/5 Compromise: each slave would be counted as 3/5 of a person for purposes of representation and taxation • Slavery itself was mentioned by name as little as possible-afraid it might set off a confrontation and wreck any chance of agreement

  16. Debates • Granting Congress the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade (including slave trade): Congress could regulate foreign commerce but not interfere with the slave trade for 20 years, until 1808 + tax of $10/slave; also forbidden to tax a state’s exports (only imports)

  17. Other issues • Madison and Randolph of VA urged a govt. structure divided into 3 parts variously elected and appointed • 60 different votes were needed for a single President with a legislative veto that Congress could override • Checks and balances-agreed to • Electoral college-too much democracy might lead to mob rule • Limited years of President in office, not terms • No formal discussion of women • Immigration-little said, other than President cannot be an immigrant

  18. Lost Hope? • Months of debate, many feared a consensus would never be reached • Franklin motioned for a minister to be invited and serve as chaplain/offer daily prayers-didn’t pass as they required payment for their prayers and the Convention had no money • Franklin’s noting of the sun: rising or setting?

  19. Ratification • After months of debate, the delegates approved the Constitution • Sept. 1787, 39 delegates sign the Constitution • 3 refused to sign-foreshadow of debate to come • 9/13 must still approve • Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

  20. Ratification • Federalist arguments: strong national govt. was needed to provide order and protect the rights of people; a bill of rights was unnecessary because the new govt.’s powers were limited by the Constitution • Anti-Federalist arguments: wanted a weak national govt. so as not to threaten the rights of people or powers of the states; wanted to add a bill of rights to protect the people vs. abuses of power

  21. Ratification • By June 1788, 9 states had given their approval, but didn’t include VA or NY-the success of the new govt. depended upon acceptance of these two key states • Madison led the fight in VA. Against P. Henry; VA approved by 10 votes but with amendments suggested • Fight was in NY-Federalist Papers-ratification by 3 votes

  22. New Govt. • Sept. 1787-Constitution completed • Sept. 1788-Ratified; NY city-seat of govt. • Oct. 1788-Confed. Congress concluded its last business • March 1789-New govt. inaugurated • 1791-Bill of Rights added • Franklin: “Everything promises it will last…but in this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.” • Washington: “I didn’t expect it to last for more than 20 years.”

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