Overview
This lecture covers the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, major compromises made, and the arguments for and against ratification.
The Articles of Confederation
- The Articles of Confederation were the first U.S. government system (1781-1789) and were deliberately weak.
- Congress had one house, each state one vote, requiring 9 of 13 to pass major decisions.
- No president or judiciary and could not collect taxes; states had to contribute voluntarily.
- The government could wage war, make treaties, and coin money but not regulate trade or enforce laws.
- The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created a process for new states and banned slavery in those areas.
- The Articles failed mainly because the national government couldn’t raise revenue or respond to crises like Shays’ Rebellion.
The Constitutional Convention
- In 1787, delegates met in Philadelphia to “revise” the Articles but instead created a new Constitution.
- Delegates generally agreed on separation of powers (executive, legislative, judicial) and a republic (representatives, not direct democracy).
- Major disputes arose between large and small states over representation and between slave and non-slave states.
Major Compromises
- The Great Compromise created a bicameral Congress: the House (by population) and Senate (equal per state).
- The Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved people as 3/5 of a person for representation.
- The Constitution included a fugitive slave clause, requiring escaped slaves to be returned.
Key Principles of the Constitution
- Separation of powers provides checks and balances between branches of government.
- Federalism divides authority between national and state governments.
- The Electoral College elects the President, not a direct popular vote.
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
- Federalists (Hamilton, Madison, Jay) argued for a stronger central government and wrote the Federalist Papers.
- Anti-Federalists feared centralized power and preferred stronger state governments; they worried a large republic couldn’t remain democratic.
- Ratification required approval from 9 of 13 states.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Articles of Confederation — the first, weak U.S. national government (1781-1789).
- Northwest Ordinance (1787) — law setting rules for new states and banning slavery in that territory.
- Shays’ Rebellion — 1786-87 uprising showing the weaknesses of the Articles.
- The Great Compromise — agreement for a two-house Congress.
- Three-Fifths Compromise — formula for counting enslaved people in state populations.
- Separation of Powers — dividing government into branches to prevent tyranny.
- Federalism — sharing power between national and state governments.
- Federalist Papers — essays supporting the Constitution’s ratification.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist writings for deeper understanding.
- Prepare to discuss how compromises in the Constitution impacted later U.S. history.