1. The Articles of Confederation-
1777
 First system of government
used by the United States.

2. The Main Ideas



Only one branch of government (unicameral) called Congress.
States controlled most of the power.
 Congress could declare war, make treaties, print money,
deliver mail.
 Congress controlled Indian affairs.
 Congress could not tax the states, enforce laws, regulate trade
between states.
 All 13 states had to approve changes. Made it very difficult to make
any changes for the nation.

3. Problems

 Without taxes the Country could not pay off debts.
 Without trade rules, arguments between states hurt commerce.
 Congress could pass laws but not enforce them.
 Each state had one vote regardless of its size.
 No executive branch or court system.
 Congress could not raise an army without the states’
permission.

5. Articles of
Confederation

 In short, the national government did not have
enough authority to effectively rule.
 Things were a mess!
 States were not united as a country.
 Something had to change.

6. A Constitutional
Convention-1787
 Delegates met to revise
(change) the Articles of
Confederation.
 Instead they agreed to create
a new constitution.

7. Debating the Framework
 James Madison designed a
framework for a new government.
 It suggested replacing the current
weak central government with a
strong one.
 The one state/one vote system
would be replaced by a system
based on a state’s population.
(Virginia Plan)
 Georgia supported the idea, but
smaller states objected that they
would be less important.

8. Two Plans for the
Constitution

 Virginia Plan – called for a bicameral legislature
(2 houses), with representation in the houses
based on state population. More populated states
get more votes in the legislature.
 New Jersey Plan – called for a unicameral
legislature (1 house), with each state getting only
vote. Votes not determined by population.
 States had a hard time agreeing, because the
smaller less populated states did not agree with
the Virginia Plan, and the more populated states
did not agree with the New Jersey Plan.

9. The Great Compromise
 A compromise was reached that satisfied both sides.
 A bicameral (two house) legislature was created.
 The House of Representatives would be based on a state’s
population.
 The Senate would include two representatives from each
state.

10. The Constitution
 Three branches of government were also created to provide a
system of checks and balances.
 Congress was divided into two houses to balance power
between the states. 
 House of Representatives decided by population. (satisfied the
large states)
 Senate gave each state two representatives. (satisfied the smaller
states)
 Approved a 3/5ths compromise for all slaves.
 William Few and Abraham Baldwin signed for Georgia.

11. William Few

 Was elected to the Georgia Assembly (legislature for
the state) and helped establish Georgia’s
Constitution in 1777.
 In 1780, he was elected to the Continental Congress,
before eventually representing Georgia at the
Constitutional Convention in 1787.

12. Abraham Baldwin

 Was a chaplain (minister to soldiers) during the
American Revolution.
 He practiced law and help establish the University of
Georgia.
 Had the last deciding which plan would be accepted
for the national government (Virginia Plan or the
New Jersey Plan).
 His vote resulted in a tie between the two plans,
which led to the great compromise.

13. Improvements
 Federal Government has more
power than the states.
 Congress can collect taxes and
regulate trade between states.
 Bill of Rights guarantees
individual rights such as
Freedom of Speech and religion.

14. The Bill of Rights
Right to keep and bear 
1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition
2. arms
3. Conditions for quarters of soldiers
4. Right of search and seizure regulated
5. Provisons concerning prosecution
6. Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.
7. Right to a trial by jury
8. Excessive bail, cruel punishment
9. Rule of construction of Constitution
10. Rights of the States under Constitution

15. Creating a Government Note Check
Choose either A (Articles of Confederation) or C (Constitution) to identify which form
of government is represented by each statement or phrase.
______ 1. The first system of government used by the United States.
______ 2. A bicameral Congress helped balance power between states.
______ 3. Had a strong central (federal) government.
______ 4. Could pass laws but not enforce them.
______ 5. Was signed by Abraham Baldwin and William Few.
______ 6. Created a system of checks and balances.
______ 7. Used only a legislative branch of government.
______ 8. Required all 13 states to approve any changes.
______ 9. Did not have the power to collect taxes.
______ 10. Included the Bill of Rights.