The New Government

The New Government

THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

1781 adopted, political power lies in the states

one branch (not 3) – a congress

no power to tax

congress had to ask states for money

no power to force states to do its wishes

states could send as many reps as they wanted, but had one vote

votes dealing with money required 9 to pass, otherwise a majority (7)

changes in the articles required all 13 states

powerless over interstate and foreign commerce

no national court system

state constitutions were more powerful

Pennsylvania was bold, allowing all white males 21 or over who paid taxes, the right to vote

elections every year

Opposition

the wealthy felt it gave too much power to the ordinary people

order over freedom, the Articles could not assist in that wish

debt from the war, no taxes collected to pay

states printed their own money

states with ports placed taxes on goods headed for other states

state governments allowed too many ordinary people in office

Nationalists formed (G. Washington, B. Franklin, J. Madison, A. Hamilton)

the Articles allowed for a Democratic Republic – better to have mistakes and freedom than tyranny

The Nationalists studied history, knowing the Republic of Rome fell – people were not wise enough to have so much power

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

1787 55 delegates from all states except Rhode Island

James Madison took notes and is known as the father of the Constitution

1^st act was to elect George Washington as president

then to over-ride the Articles which in a sense was illegal

The Virginia Plan

2 houses in Congress, not one (reps based on state population)

add right to tax and regulate commerce (foreign and interstate)

veto any act of state legislature

a judicial & executive branch to be added

The New Jersey Plan

allowed Congress rights to tax and regulate foreign and interstate commerce

create an executive and judicial branches

each state would have same number of reps in ONE congress, not TWO

keep state governments more powerful than federal government