The document outlines the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the United States Constitution, highlighting the weaknesses of the former, such as lack of federal power and conflict among states. It discusses the need for a more effective central government and the emergence of compromises between large and small states regarding representation. Ultimately, the Constitution established a framework with three branches of government and a structure for legislative representation based on population and equal state voices.

1. WANTED : A “Just Right” Government

2. Wanted: A government that… much Has enough ________ to do its job Doesn’t give anyone too ______ power Considers the needs of all _________ Lets people have a ________ Protects individual __________ say states power rights

3. In 1777, the Americans wrote their first plan for government in a document called the Articles of Confederation

4. The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation ? What’s a confederation ?? A confederation is a _________ of individuals _______ together for a _________. group united purpose

5. The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation Each state was _________________ and had its own ________________. Each state would send _______________ to the “Congress of the Confederation.” The Congress was the only ____________ government. There was no ___________. In Congress, each state got _______ vote. independent government representatives central President one

6. The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation Congress had no way to __________ its _______! Congress had no power to collect _________ to pay for the military! The Articles could only be _________ if ______ the states agreed! States get to keep their ______ and ____________ No _____________ telling the states what to do Congress had the power to create a _________ to ________all the states Hey, this sounds great! Wait! Not so fast… independence power government military protect enforce laws taxes changed ALL

7. Under the Articles of Confederation, a President would lead the country.  True  False 

8. States would be independent under the Articles of Confederation.  True  False 

9. The Articles of Confederation were easy to change.  True  False 

10. The more people a state had, the more votes it got in Congress.  True  False 

11. Congress did not have the power to collect taxes.  True  False 

12. Congress could pass laws and force states to follow them.  True  False 

13. The Articles of Confederation created the first American government.  True  False 

14. There were some good things and some bad things about the Articles of Confederation. In general, people felt like the government wasn’t working! Congress is too weak to end the conflicts between our states!

15. But there was no easy solution… Large states should have more say! Small states should have more say! More help for fishermen! More help for farmers! Up with central government! Down with central government! We need a President! Who needs a President?

16. States Had Different Needs Some states depended on , while others mostly grew . fishing crops

17. States Had Different Sizes Some states had people, while others had . many few

18. People Had Different Opinions Some people Others thought a central government was . feared necessary a central government. A central government will have too much power! We’ll lose our freedom! But we’ll never get anything done if no one is in charge!!

19. Everybody thought the central government should have more power.  True  False 

20. Some people were afraid states might lose their independence.  True  False 

21. Different states had different needs for government to meet.  True  False 

22. The states all got along with each other.  True  False 

23. The government created by the Articles of Confederation had everything under control among the states.  True  False 

24. Something needed to change, but people didn’t want a central government to have too much power!

25. The states decided to put aside some of their differences and come together to try to solve the problem of forming a new government…

26. Articles of Confederation New Idea A New Idea! 1 Branch Legislative—makes laws 3 Branches

27. A New Idea! Legislative : Makes laws Judicial : Interprets laws Executive : Carries out laws But Wait! How many should each state get in the legislature? votes

28. Each state gets to send representatives to the legislature. Which states would have the most power if… The more people a state had, the more representatives it got? Answer: The more people, the more power!

29. Each state gets to send representatives to the legislature. Which states would have the most power if… Each state got one vote, no matter how small? Answer: People in the small states would have more power.

30. The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan Battle of the Plans Legislative branch has ___ “chambers” Number of votes for each state depends on the state’s ___________ ________ states would have more power population 2 Larger Legislative branch has ___ “chamber” Each state gets ___ vote ________ states would have more power 1 Smaller 1 (Virginia was a large state, and New Jersey was a small state. Surprise!)

31.  All states should have the same power  Larger states should have more power Is it more fair for every state to have the same amount of power no matter how few people live there, or should states with more people have more power? WHY?

32. There were a lot of differences to overcome and a lot of compromises to make…but finally… The Constitution of the United States of America

33. The Constitution Solution Legislative : Makes laws Judicial : Interprets laws Executive : Carries out laws Divide Congress Into Two Houses And that’s not all… Senate House of Representatives Each state gets 2 votes. The more people the state has, the more votes it gets!

34. Not only did the Constitution resolve the problem of the legislature, but it solved some other problems as well…

35. Did the Articles of Confederation require states to treat other states the same as their own citizens?  Yes  No 

36. The Constitution Solution The Constitution requires each state to treat ________ of other states the ______ as it treats its own citizens. citizens same

37. How many states had to agree in order for the Articles of Confederation to be changed?  All states  A majority of states 

38. The Constitution Solution The Constitution can be changed if ________________ of the members of Congress and ________________ of the states agree. two-thirds (2/3) three-fourths (3/4)

39. Did the Articles of Confederation require states to follow the laws Congress passed?  Yes  No 

40. The Constitution Solution The Constitution says that the laws passed by Congress are _________ to laws passed by the _______. superior states

41. The new Americans made compromises and found solutions for their new government. Let’s review the final product of the Constitutional Convention!

42. A  Laws are made by the _______ branch. B executive legislative

43. Laws passed by Congress are _____ to state laws. superior inferior A B 

44. Congress has ______. 1 chamber 2 chambers A B 

45. Each state gets two votes in the __________. House of Representatives Senate A B 

46. In the House of Representatives, the number of votes each states gets is based on its ________. population taxes A B 

47. A change to the Constitution must be approved by ___________. All states ¾ of states A B 

48. Although they managed to solve the problems created by the Articles, there were still many decisions to be made before everyone accepted the Constitution!