The United States First Shot At A Government…

I. Post War America—The Real Revolution Begins!!!!

A. Our Basic Government

1) A Republic-people choose representatives to make laws.

2) A Democracy-is a system of government by the people.

3) Three Branches of Government

a) Legislative Branch-makes the laws

b) Executive Branch-enforces the laws

c) Judicial Branch-interpreting laws and punishing law breakers

B. A Confederation or Loose Union of States

1) The Articles of Confederation

a) Document that drew out laws for the confederation.

b) Most of the power resided with the

states.

c) each state sent between 2 and 7

delegates to a Congress

d) Each state had only one vote

e) Americans were suspicious of central government!

1) Congress held power over foreign affairs2) Could wage war and make peace3) Govern trade with Indians4) 9 of 13 states had to agree in order to make a decision5) To make a change in the articles all 13 had to agree.

f) No one person could run the government, instead a 3 person panel was chosen by Congress

g) Republicanism- a sense of equality1) “All men are created equal”

2) Slavery comes into question-several states outlaw slavery.

II. The Treaty of Paris brings the Northwest Territory

1) Belonged to the National Government

2) Ordinances created to govern the land

A. The Ordinance of 1785

1) Townships are created through surveying (6 miles X 6 miles)

2) 36 equal sections out of each township

3) One section set aside for public education

B. The Northwest Ordinance

1) Congress chooses a Governor and 3 judges to rule each territory

2) Each Territory could become a State

a) 5,000 free men in the territory

b) 60,000 citizens

c) freedom of religion and speech-trial by jury and protection from unfair punishment

d) Fairly treat Indians

e) No Slavery!!

III. Failures of the Confederation

A. Money Troubles

1) Different types of moneya) National government money

b) State government money

c) Foreign government money

2) Some did not accept paper money because they could not be sure of it’s value

3) Money not backed by gold or silver

4) Inflation rose!!!

B. Could Not Tax!

1) States could tax, but the central government could not

2) Could not pay back foreign countries

3) Could not pay its soldiers (they threatened

C. No International Respect

1) Britain made life difficult

2) Spain and America argued over boundries

D. No Unity

1) No one cared anymore

2) No courts to settle disputes

E. Not a complete FAILURE

1) The People wanted a weak government and got one

2) NO government would have been perfect after the War. No matter what the people would not have been happy!

3) Made good decisions regarding western lands.

4) Do they need more power?

5) Shay’s rebellion would answer this question for them!!