We the People….. The Failings of the Articles of Confederation and the Solutions of the Constitutional Convention Unit Two- BA
* Imagine, If You Will…………………………. • You are one of our nation’s founding father’s, and you have just declared your independence. • What would now be one of the first things that you must do?
* Imagine, If You Will…………………………. • You are one of our nation’s founding father’s, and you have just declared your independence. • Knowing what you know about the history of governments, and political philosophy, and the experiences of the founding fathers; What type of government would you choose, and why?
* Imagine, If You Will…………………………. • You are one of our nation’s founding father’s, and you have just declared your independence. • How would decisions about what the government needed to do be made in your government?
* Imagine, If You Will…………………………. • You are one of our nation’s founding father’s, and you have just declared your independence. • How would you fund your government? • Who would have to pay this funding, and in what proportions?
* Imagine, If You Will…………………………. • You are one of our nation’s founding father’s, and you have just declared your independence. • Who would be allowed to participate in your government (i.e.- vote, serve in office, be the representative organization)?
* Imagine, If You Will…………………………. • You are one of our nation’s founding father’s, and you have just declared your independence. • If you were unhappy with the way in which your government was designed, after the fact, what process would you have for changing it?
* Imagine, If You Will…………………………. • Now, take out a piece of paper, and in a minute or less, write as many facts as you can remember regarding the united States first president. • And, now let’s meet him………. The First president of the united States of America- SAMUEL P. HUNTINGTON WAIT……..WHAT?!?!? • The U nited States of America did not start until 1793, and we did not have a President until then. • So, what did we do for a government from 1776 to 1793, and why did we change it?
The Articles of Confederation * What type of government did they choose? • Confederated Republic • Strengths • The states had their sovereignty • There was equality amongst the states in terms of voting, regardless of population or size in area • Weaknesses • The central (national) government was weak and there was no way to enforce their decisions on the states • It was difficult to make decisions as a unified entity • There was inequality amongst the states in terms of population size, so there was unequal representation in those terms
The Articles of Confederation * How were decisions made in their government? • Each state could send a delegation of between 2 and 7 members selected by that state’s legislature • However, each state had only one vote in the Congress • Strengths • Every state was equal in their voting • It was up to the states to vote, not individuals • Weaknesses • It was time consuming to make decisions • The question of whether all states should be equal was constantly on the table in voting
The Articles of Confederation * How Was Their Government Funded? • Each state was allocated a portion of the total debt of the United States based on the total real property value within that state • Strengths • Richer and larger states were expected to pay their fair share • Weaknesses • The central government was dependent upon the states for payment, which was not always forthcoming • States paying for more got the same say as states paying for less
The Articles of Confederation * Who Was Allowed to Participate in the Government? • Only the states, not the people. Each state would determine who could vote within their state. This made the states practically independent nations of their own • Strengths • The states all stayed equal to each other • Weaknesses • Each individual state was subject to a different group of voters who wanted protection of their own rights, and therefore created a variety of things such as money, differing laws, taxes, etc. • Made travel between states very difficult
The Articles of Confederation * How Were Changes to the Government Made? • To pass a law took the approval of a super majority of 9 states • To change the Articles themselves took unanimous approval of all the state legislatures • Strengths • This made sure that almost everyone in the Confederacy was on the same page, and it was a unified action • Weaknesses • It was very difficult to reach the majorities needed, and therefore hardly anything ever got done
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