Creating the Constitution1781-1789

Chapter 5: Section 1

Which statement do you agree with most?

• A. a strong central government poses a serious threat to personal liberties

• B. A strong central government offers the best protection for personal liberties

• C. A strong central government is possible only if personal liberties are sacrificed

• D. A strong central government is not needed to protect personal liberties

Objectives

• A. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals

• B. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles

• C. Summarize Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of Western lands

• D. List the main weaknesses of the Articles

Why it matters…

Powerful states and weak governments would eventually face severe problems

Early State Governments

• Republic• Disagreement over proper design of

government– Democracy power with people– Conservatives preserve many colonial institutes

Democratic Patriots

• Wanted to create a state government with strong legislators and weak/no governor

• Unicameral Legislature– PA; GA

Conservative Patriots

• Had more conservative constitutions; strong governor

• Bicameral Legislature– ME; NY

Freedom of Religion

• Essentially guaranteed after the Revolutionary war

• Used to be controversial• Came about with the Passage of Virginia

Statute for religious freedom in 1786– Drafted by Thomas Jefferson– Excluded MA and CT

Articles of Confederation

• Congress drafted Articles in 1777 for the union of the states

• Under John Dickinson of PA– Congress designed a loose confederation of 13

states, rather than a strong centralized government

Articles of Confederation

• Reflected the principles of the Declaration• Rejected the centralized power of the British

Empire as a threat to liberty• Federal structure of new national government• The Articles granted certain limited powers to

Congress– Able to declare and conduct war and to negotiate

peace, to regulate foreign affairs, and to administer relations with Indian nations