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Declaration of Independence
1776, Britain ruling unfairly, leaders meet, decide what to do, some want to just ride through, others want to declare independence, tight argument, independence wins out. Thomas Jefferson chosen to write document, revised by Congress. Declare independence from Great Britain. Rev. War starts. #courage #freedom #newcountry -
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Constitution
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Articles of confederation
First try at constitution, written by the Congress, didn’t work too well, states arguing over land, states wouldn’t ratify Articles unless they got their way, U.S. owed millions to other nations and individuals, states were printing different money, other nations took advantage, we needed new constitution. #countryprobs -
Land Ordinance
Northwest Territory Land divided into townships. Thought of by Congress. 1 township=36 sections. 1 section= 1 sq. mile, 640 acres Sold for 640 each. Each state= one free section for public schools. Good because gov. had system for selling land. -
Shay’s Rebellion
farmers off to Revolutionary War, people who aren’t at war still need to produce as many crops, buy more tools, in debt, war ends, farmers come back, owe lots of money for taxes, rebel, lead by Daniel Shays, attack courthouses, march on US Arsenal, Mass. Militia stands guard, shoot 3 people down, Shays retreats. #blood #tense #thingsareheatinup -
The Constitutional Convention
Articles made Congress and central gov too weak, leaders meet to discuss changes to Articles, decide that there was too much to change, need to write entire new constitution. #newgov #arguing #thegreatergood -
Virginia Plan
Edmund Randolph and James Madison presented Virgina Plan during Constitutional Convention. Had strong national gov. w. three branches. Legislative branch- two houses, passes laws, executive branch- carry out laws, judicial branch- decide if laws are carried out fairly. Larger states=more rep. -
New Jersey Plan
William Patterson presented it at C.C. Each state has one vote in legislature, regardless of population. 3 branches of gov. legislative branch- one house. Each state=one vote -
3/5`s Compromise
South wants to include slaves in population count., but not allow them to vote. Slaves counted= more reps. North said slaves can`t vote- cant count as reps. Compromise= ⅗ of each state`s slaves count. Good- Slaves are partially recognized. Bad- Slaves only counted so states gain power -
Agreement over slavery
Northerners agreed congress can't outlaw slave trade for 20 years. After congress can regulate if they wish. No state can stop return of fugitive to owner. Good- Slave trade may be over after 20 years. Bad- Wait 20 years for slave trade to stop -
Northwest Ordinance
Northern territory, controlled by congress. Set up system for new states. Set up gov., guarantees rights for settlers, outlaws slavery. New state= 60,000 new settlers. New states treated equally. -
The Great Compromise
Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan together, three branches of government, two legislative houses, one in which number of votes decided by population, one where all states have same number of votes. Benefits both small states and large states. Idea presented by Roger Sherman. #compromise #smart -
The Constitution is signed
All Congressmen except 3 sign Constitution. The 3 thought the nat. gov’t had too much power. Now each state holds a convention. At least 9 of 13 states had to approve, ratify, Constitution for it to pass #pressure #hope -
The Federalist Position
Believed constitution made weak central gov, gave national gov. authority to function well, and protected rights of certain states
Main Feds: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay- Wrote the Federalist Papers #forconstitution -
The Anti-Federalist Position
Believed central gov’t too powerful under Constitution, left states weak, president had too much power. Needed bill of rights. Main Anti-Fed: Patrick Henry #againstconstitution -
States vote to ratify
Delaware first, Dec. 1787, June 1788 NH- 9th state. NY and VA, hadn`t ratified. Feds. and Anti-Feds. closely matched. In VA, Patrick Henry opposed constitution. Thought gov. was given too much power. Then in late June, VA approved constitution. NY struggle went for one more month, then July 1788, state convention ratified. NC-1789 RI- last, 1790 -
Amendment Process
Amendment process difficult, states or legislature can propose amendments, ¾ of states must ratify for the amendment to pass #improve constitution -
The Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights, ten amendments to Constitution, spells out freedoms of all citizens, individual rights. #liberty #USswag
