chapter 5.1

1. Shaping A New Nation
From Confederation
to Constitution

2. Colonies Become States
 Each colony had –
governor, council,
colonial assembly =
own form of
government
 Distinct self-governing
 Allegiance to colony 1st
America 2nd
 FEAR of strong central
govt. = England

3. Republicanism
 Feared Democracy
(why?)
Republic – (define)
John Dickinson’s view
Virtuous People
Good of Nation over self
(True today?)

4. Republicanism
 Adam Smith
Philosopher &
Economist
“Greed is good”
Republic benefits from self
interest
(True?)

5. State Constitutions
Each state created their own, but adopted many similar ideas
• Limit power of govt. leaders
• Guarantee specific rights to citizens
- Freedom of Speech
- Freedom of Religion
- Freedom of Press
Focus on Liberty over Equality (explain)

6. Right to Vote
Limited democracy
African Americans – generally
could not vote
Maryland and others – property
ownership requirement
New Jersey – voting rights to all
free property owners (Women –
ended – 1807)

7. Massachusetts
What did the U.S. “borrow”
from the Massachusetts
Constitution?
http://www.mass.gov/legis/const.htm

8. History of Republics
Greece
Rome
Italy (Florence, Venice, Pisa,
Genoa)
Swiss - Reformation
England – Oliver Cromwell
What’s the significance?

9. Continental Congress
3 Major Questions
•Representation?
•Power?
•Western Land?

10. Representation?
State or population
Size, wealth, population varied greatly
Since the colonial view ruled – 1 vote per state

11. Balance of Power
Articles of Confederation
2 levels – states & federal –
each had powers over the other
National – declare war, make
peace, sign treaties, borrow
money, set standards for coins,
weights & measures, postal
service, & native relations
NO executive department, no
national court system

12. Western Lands
1779 – 12 states happy –
Maryland blocked passage –
western lands
Some states had claim to
western land while others
didn’t = unfair advantage
solution – national govt.
assume control
passed march 1781

13. Governing the
Western Lands
Land Ordinance of 1785
Plan for surveying the land
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Dividing land into territories &
set plan for becoming a state

14. The Confederation Fails
 Political & Economic Problems?
 Borrowers Versus Lenders?
 Foreign-Relations?