2. Learning Targets
1. I can DEVELOP an argument that a
particular provision of the Constitution of
the United States would help address a
problem facing the U.S. in the 1780's.
2. I can EXPLAIN a provision of the
Constitution of the United States in terms of
how it reflects Enlightenment ideas.
3. I can DESCRIBE how the Articles of
Confederation failed and led to the creation
of the Constitution.
3. State Constitutions
After the collapse of
British control in 1775ish,
the colonies formed their
own state constitutions
Some kept colonial
charters
Developed the idea that a
constitution should be
created by a special
convention
Make constitution
superior to legislature
Many states already
included bills of rights
These states did not have
unified governments
4. Articles of Confederation
John Dickinson played a leading role in
developing this document.
Wanted a strong national government, but by the time
Congress finished revising them, they went to the
opposite extreme of preserving the sovereignty of the
states and created a very weak national government.
Created a unicameral Congress
Each state receives one vote
Unanimous consent of each state was required
to amend the Articles.
5. The Good, Bad, and the Ugly
The Good
Articles government
was empowered to
Make war
Make treaties
Determine troops and
money needed for war
Settle state disputes
Admit new states to
the Union
Borrow money
Bad/Ugly
Articles government
was NOT empowered
to
Levy taxes
Raise troops
Regulate commerce
(trade)
Is it possible for
government to function
without these powers?!
6. Problems with the Articles
Ratification was delayed by a disagreement over
the future status of the lands that lay to the west
of the original 13 states.
Country suffered from deep financial trouble.
Congress printed off large amounts of paper
money to finance the Revolution-Continentals
(led to inflation).
Took loans from France and the Netherlands
A plan to give the Articles the power to tax was
stopped by one vote! (Rhode Island)
7. Shay’s Rebellion
1786
Hard times + high taxes intended to pay off the
state’s war debt drove Massachusetts farmers
into rebellion.
Led by Daniel Shay, they shut down courts to
prevent judges from seizing property or
condemning people to debtors’ prison for failing
to pay taxes.
Created panic-many will feel that a stronger
government was needed to control such violent
acts.
8. The Constitution
Strengthened the structure of the national
government.
Separate executive and judicial branches.
Constitution could be amended.
Levy taxes, raise armies and regulate
commerce.
Federalism-distribution of powers between
federal and state governments.
Included Enlightenment ideas -social
contract and protection of rights.