Chapter 5 FROM CONFEDERATION TO FEDERAL UNION

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Chapter 5FROM CONFEDERATION TO FEDERAL UNION

• Section 1 The Articles of Confederation
• Section 2 Drafting and Ratifying the
  Constitution
• Section 3 The Constitution A Living Document

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Objectives
Section 1 The Articles of Confederation

• What political ideas were reflected in the state
  constitutions?
• How did the ideas of Republican Motherhood affect
  womens roles and opportunities?
• What powers did the Articles of Confederation
  grant the national government?
• How did the Northwest Ordinance try to resolve
  future conflicts over western lands?
• What were the weaknesses of the Articles of
  Confederation?

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State constitutions
Section 1 The Articles of Confederation

• limited the power of governors
• restricted the influence of the church on
  government

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Republican Motherhood
Section 1 The Articles of Confederation

• gave women a powerful role in the home
• expanded support for womens education
• limited womens political participation

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Articles of Confederation granted the national
government
Section 1 The Articles of Confederation

• power to coin and borrow money
• power to conduct foreign affairs
• power to set policy toward American Indians
• power to settle disputes between the states

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Northwest Ordinance
Section 1 The Articles of Confederation

• provided for the creation of new states
• provided for a process for settling territories
  farther west
• guaranteed settlers civil rights
• banned slavery

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Weakness of the Articles of Confederation
Section 1 The Articles of Confederation

• All 13 states had to consent to changes in the
  Articles.
• Major legislation needed the consent of all 13
  states.
• Congress was unable to levy taxes.
• Congress was unable to regulate foreign trade.
• Weaknesses led to lack of confidence in
  government, mounting national debt, and economic
  depression.

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Objectives
Section 2 Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution

• How did the Virginia Plan call for a stronger
  federal government?
• What major compromises were reflected in the
  Constitution?
• How did the Antifederalists oppose the
  Constitution, and how did the Federalists
  respond?
• Why did all 13 states ratify the Constitution?

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Virginia Plan
Section 2 Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution

• gave Congress the right to overturn state laws
• gave Congress the right to tax the states
• gave Congress the right to use force against a
  state if it did not fulfill its duties

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Major compromises in the Constitution
Section 2 Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution

• The Great Compromise granted each state an equal
  voice in the upper house regardless of size, and
  accorded representation in the lower house based
  on population.
• The Three-Fifths Compromise established that
  three fifths of a states slave population would
  count in determining its population.
• Compromises over commerce established that
  Congress could levy tariffs on imports but not
  exports, and allowed the importation of slaves
  until the end of 1807s.

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Debate over the Constitution
Section 2 Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution

• Federalists and Antifederalists debated each
  other in state ratifying conventions, and the
  Federalists wrote a series of essays called the
  Federalist Papers.

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Ratification
Section 2 Drafting and Ratifying the Constitution

• Ratification was only unanimous because Congress
  agreed to add a bill of rights for Virginia and
  New York, and threatened economic boycott against
  Rhode Island.

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Objectives
Section 3 The Constitution A Living Document

• How does the Constitution divide power between
  the federal and state governments?
• How does the separation of powers prevent each
  branch of government from becoming too strong?
• What are the potential drawbacks of the system of
  checks and balances?
• What provisions in the constitution allow for its
  flexibility?

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Division of power
Section 3 The Constitution A Living Document

• Delegated powers such as the rights to coin
  money, regulate trade with foreign nations and
  among states, and to raise and support an army
  and a navy, are listed in the Constitution as
  belonging to the federal government.

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Division of power (continued)
Section 3 The Constitution A Living Document

• Reserved powers such as the rights to establish
  local governments and oversee schools belong to
  the states, and include all those powers not
  specifically granted to the federal government.

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Division of power (continued)
Section 3 The Constitution A Living Document

• Concurrent powers such as levying and collecting
  taxes, borrowing money, providing for the public
  welfare, and establishing courts belong to both
  the state and federal governments.

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Separation of power
Section 3 The Constitution A Living Document

• Each branch has its own powers that other
  branches cannot claim.
• Legislative branch makes laws.
• Executive branch sees that laws are carried out.
• Judicial branch interprets and applies laws.

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Potential drawbacks of checks and balances
Section 3 The Constitution A Living Document

• political infighting
• political stalemates
• government shutdowns

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Flexibility provisions
Section 3 The Constitution A Living Document

• Amendment process allows citizens to alter the
  Constitution.
• Elastic clause gives Congress the authority to
  exercise its powers in ways not specified.