One accomplishment of the national government Under the Articles of Confederation was the passage of legislation establishing

a process for admitting new states to the Union

the president’s right to put down rebellions

the ability of Congress to tax the states effectively

Under the Articles of Confederation, the years between 1781 and 1787 are often referred to as the “critical period” because the

central government lacked the power to deal with major problems

southern states threatened to secede from the Union over the issue of slavery

colonies were forced to pay high reparations to England

states were fighting the French and Indian War

Which principle of government is found in both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States?

Governing power should be divided between different levels of government.

States have the right to secede from the Union.

the right to vote must be guaranteed to all Americans.

Supreme Court justices should be elected by the people.

Disagreement at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 over the Virginia and New Jersey plans was resolved by a compromise that

created a Congress made up of a Senate and a House of Representatives

guaranteed continuation of the slave trade for at least twenty more years

provided for construction of a new national capital in the south

limited the power of the federal government to wage war

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great Compromise settled the issue of representation in Congress by

giving each state two senators and a number of representatives based on population

having both houses of Congress chosen by the state legislatures

allowing all states to have equal representation in Congress

having both houses of Congress elected directly by the people

The purpose of the Three-Fifths Compromise, which was adopted by the Constitutional Convention of 1787, was to

reduce the fear of loss of representation by Southern States with large slave populations

provide a means of deciding disputed Presidential elections

balance power between states with large populations and those with smaller populations

allow Congress to override a Presidential veto of an act passed by both Houses

What was one effect of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Slave states gained additional congressional representation.

The number of justices on the Supreme Court was established.

A two-house legislature was created.

Presidential appointments were assured easy confirmation.

The Preamble of the United States Constitution was written to

describe the purposes of the government

outline the organization of the government

provide for ways to amend the Constitution

protect the people from abuses of the Federal Government

The term supreme law of the land refers to which document?

Constitution of the United States

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Federalism is a term used to define the division of power between the

national and state levels of government

president and the vice president

Senate and the House of Representatives

three branches of the federal government

Articles of Confederation to Constitution #1

During the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers met to develop a government that would take over as soon as the British left. By 1777, they had written the Articles of Confederation, which created the first United States government. Under the Articles, the states joined together in an alliance of separate state powers with a very weak central government. For example, the government could not collect taxes or keep a standing military. After ten years, the Founding Fathers realized the Articles created a government that was too weak to work! They decided it was time for a change. The Founding Fathers wanted a stronger government that had more authority with the states. Representatives from each state gathered in Philadelphia on May 14, 1787 to discuss possible changes. They agreed on a federalist government, where a central power would oversee and share authority with the states. To make sure the federal government did not gain too much power, they created three branches to provide for checks and balances. The legislative branch would make the laws, the judicial branch would interpret the laws, and the executive branch would enforce the laws. This solved many problems, but one large issue remained: how would the states be represented in this new federal government? At first, the bigger states wanted the population of a state to determine the amount of representation. But the smaller states called foul! The bigger states would end up deciding the laws for everyone. The smaller states suggested that each state have an equal number of representatives. But that would end up giving smaller states too much power. Finally delegates from Connecticut submitted a solution: Why not have two houses make up the legislative branch? The Senate would have an equal number of representatives from each state. Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on the state’s population. This model is called bicameral representation and helped the delegates find a compromise. Between May and September 1787, the delegates at the Constitutional Convention compromised on many issues in order to unite and build a strong national government. They decided the office of the executive would consist of one person and that the national government would have the power to tax and to create a military. These decisions determined that the new federal government would have more authority than before. Some delegates disagreed with the new system, but many of their concerns would be addressed when the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1789. Looking Ahead At the end of the Constitutional Convention, the delegates signed the Constitution. Many saw a bright future ahead for the United States. The document guarantees a government with three branches based on a system of checks and balances. The delegates of the Convention successfully created a government that addressed the needs of small and large states alike, while providing for a federal government that would tie them together.

John Adams the first Vice President and second President of the United States James Armistead black slave who served in the colonial army as a spy General Edward Braddock commander of all British forces in North America during the French and Indian War Nathan Hale "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Patrick Henry Virginian who said, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" New York City our nation's first capital Battle of Bunker Hill the first major battle in the War for Independence judicial the branch of government that interprets the law executive the branch of government that enforces the law legislative the branch of government that makes the law Articles of Confederation the first plan of government that the United States had agreed upon Bill of Rights lists the rights or freedoms the Constitution gives to Americans; written in the form of ten amendments Constitution of the U.S. plan of government our country still follows today Declaration of Independence document written by Jefferson declaring the independence of the colonies from England First Amendment gives Americans the following freedoms: religion, speech, press, and assembly Treaty of Paris document signed by England giving up the American colonies and making them officially free and independent Inauguration Day The day the President takes his oath of office Valley Forge Washington's army spent the harsh winter of 1777-1778 Second Continental Congress The decision to organize the Continental Army was made at the ??? in 1775. constitutional republic The form of government in which the people and their elected representatives are limited by a constitution patriots Those who wanted America to be free from Britain's control

Identify how the Weakenesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the Constitution

Articles of Confederation

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