1. Why was there a
need for a new
government in
1787?

2. The ArTicles of
confederATion

3. State governments

4. The First
American
Government
The ArTicles of
confederATion
– the first American constitution
(a framework for a government) –
confederation - a loose alliance
of states with a weak central
government
John Dickinson
John Dickinson

6. The Articles of
Confederation
Powers of the National Government
Declare War
Make Peace
Sign Treaties
Borrow Money
Establish an Army & Navy
Organize a Post Office

7. What worked
under the
Articles?
Victory in the
Revolution
The Treaty of
Paris
Settlement of
Western Lands

11. The Articles of
Confederation
Problems
National gov’t had no power over the states
– states didn’t have to follow national
agreements or resolutions
No national executive, no national judicial
branch
Could not tax – could only ask for money,
and states didn’t have to pay

12. The Articles of
Confederation
Problems
Every state had its own currency – yikes!
9/13 to pass a law – tough!
13/13 to amend the Articles
Could not regulate interstate trade or
relations between states
Foreign countries weren’t respecting the
new government

14. The Mount Vernon Conference

15. The Annapolis Convention

16. Shays’
Rebellion

17. An invitation …

18. THE FEDERAL
CONVENTIO
N
May, 1787

19. PENNSYLVANIA
STATE HOUSE

20. Who?
74 delegates
from 12 states
were chosen
55 attended at
one time or
another

21. Who were “The
Framers”?
Most of the 55 delegates knew and
respected each other
3 had been at the Stamp Act Congress, 1765
8 had signed the Declaration of
Independence
42 had served in the First and/or Second
Continental Congresses, and/or the
Confederation Congress
30 fought in the Revolutionary War
2 would be US Presidents, 1 would be a Vice
President

22. Who were “The
Framers”? governors
7 had been governors, 9 would be
8 were judges; 2 would be Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court
2 were college presidents
29 were college graduates
34 had practiced law
20 helped write their state's constitutions
18 had worked or studied abroad - many were
fluent in Latin, French, and other languages
Most were prosperous lawyers, businessmen, and
plantation owners
Average age – 42

23. WHY?
“for the sole and express
purpose of revising the
Articles of
Confederation”