From Confederation to Republican Democarcy

1. From a Confederation to Republican
Democracy

2. The United States of America…Now
what?
 What problems did the new nation face?
 Key Question:
How much power should the national government have?
 Democracy or Republic

3. Adam Smith: Virtuous Self-
Interest
 Scottish philosopher and economist (1723-1790)
 The Wealth of Nations
 Pursuing your interest benefits everybody.
 Did Smith’s idea influence America?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulyVXa-u4wE
It is not from the benevolence
of the butcher, the brewer, or
the baker, that we expect our
dinner, but from their regard
to their own interest. We
address ourselves, not to
their humanity but to their
self-love, and never talk to
them of our own necessities
but of their advantages.

4. Articles of Confederationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO7FQsCcbD8
 What were Americans afraid of?
 First governing document
 One state, one vote
 Limited national gov’t
 No executive branch
 “firm league of friendship”
John Hanson of
Maryland served as
the president of the
Continental
Congress under the
Articles of
Confederation.

5. What to do with Western
Lands?
 Many states had claims
 Given over to the national gov’t
Northwest Ordinance 1787
 Procedure for dividing land
 Requirements for statehood

7. Borrowers v. Lenders
 Lenders (wealthy) want high taxes and hard currency.
Why?
 Borrowers (poor) want low taxes and soft currency.
Why?

8. Foreign-Relations Problems
 Britain refused to evacuate forts
 Spain closed Mississippi River to American farmers
 Congress too weak to settle

10. Weaknesses of the Articles
 Overrepresentation of
small states (GA v. MA)
 Passing anything requires
9 votes
 Amending requires 13
votes
 $190 million war debt – no
power to tax

13. Shay’s Rebellion: “PANIC!!!!!”
 Mass. debt-ridden farmers take up arms
 Militia called out to put down
 Why does Shay’s Rebellion “sound the alarm”?

14. Fixing the Articles
 Philadelphia (1787)
 55 delegates from 12 states meet
 Lawyers, merchants, planters
 Wealthy and educated; 30s-40s
 By 5th day, throw out the articles

15. Key Conflicts
 Big States v. Small States
 North v. South

16. Virginia Plan
 James Madison
 Bicameral
legislature
 Representation
based on
population

17. New Jersey Plan
 William Paterson
 Unicameral legislature
 One state = one vote

18. Connecticut Compromise
 Roger Sherman
 Bicameral
 Upper House
(Senate): equal
representation
 Lower House
(House): based on
population
 State Legislatures

20. Who counts as people?
 Why does the South want their slaves counted as
people?
 Why does the North not want Southern slaves to be
counted as people?

21. Three-Fifths Compromise
 3/5 of a state’s slaves counted as population for
representation and taxes
 Congress given power to regulate trade
 Can’t touch the slave trade for 20 years

22. The New Government
Federalism
 Divided power between national and state governments
Separation of Powers
 National power split among three branches
Checks and Balances
 Each branch has the power to check the others

24. The Three Branches
Legislative Branch
 Closest to the people
 Makes laws
Executive Branch
 Carry out the laws
Judicial Branch
 Interpret the law
 Judicial review

27. Electing the President
 Voters don’t elect directly
 Independent electors (best and brightest)
 Why not the voters?
 Why not Congress?
 System overhaul by 1803

28. How important was George Washington?
 How do those assembled view him?
 How do the people react to him?
 What was his impact on the Constitution?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgCQDZdlMdc

29. Who are the Federalists?
 Supporters of new Constitution
 Wealthy, landed, merchants,
 Strong gov’t can regulate trade
 GW, Madison, Hamilton

30. Who are the Anti-Federalists?
 Skeptical of new
Constitution
 Fearful of strong,
central gov’t
 Rural, farmers, anti-tax
 Large states
 Patrick Henry
 Sam Adams
 Richard Henry Lee

31. Federalist Papers
 85 essays
 Written to convince NY to ratify
 Hamilton, Madison, Jay (Publius)
 Separation of power; limits on majorities

32. Bill of Rights
 Who demands this?
 Why don’t Federalists think it’s necessary?
 First 10 Amendments – Added by 1791
 What rights are protected?

33. Ratification
 Need 9 states
 Delaware first (Dec. 1787)
 “ratified” by New Hampshire
 Why is Virginia & New York so important?
 New gov’t starts 1789

34. The Constitution – A Primer
 LEJSASR
 27 Amendments
 Blueprint for gov’t
 Flexible
 Is the Constitution a “living document”?