1. The Creation of New
Governments
10th Grade American History

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.