Articles of Confederation & Northwest Ordinance

• The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, was the first official Constitution of the United States.
• It aimed to unite states under a weak federal government.
• The federal government could declare war, borrow money, and handle Native American affairs.
• It also settled state disputes and made treatises.
• The federal government lacked enforcement power, causing state competition and discontent.
• Key issues included the inability to levy direct taxes and compel states to send soldiers.
• Unregulated state-printed money led to severe devaluation.
• Lawmaking power primarily resided with the states, requiring nine of thirteen states to agree on new laws.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

• The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 ensured fair treatment for existing and new states.
• Larger states ceded western land claims, allowing new states to be created.
• The Ordinance included provisions for human rights, though some weren't followed.
• It ordered the protection of Native American lands and rights, but it was largely ignored.
• Slavery was abolished in the Northwest Territory and future states.
• It guaranteed freedom of religion and the right to a trial by jury.
• It outlined the legal path to statehood.

Shay's Rebellion

• Shays' Rebellion highlighted the need for a stronger central government.
• Shays received a pension for his military service but died in poverty.
• His actions and similar movements exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
• A convention was called, leading to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

Constitutional Convention and Compromises

• The Articles of Confederation were deemed too weak due to insufficient federal power over states.
• Delegates from twelve of thirteen states attended the Constitutional Convention to design a new government.
• The Great Compromise created a bicameral government with proportional and equal representation.
• The electoral college was created as a process for choosing the President.
• The three-fifths compromise counted enslaved people as less than free people for representation.
• On June 21, 1788 the constitution was ratified.

The Constitution

• The Constitution was created by the Founding Fathers as the basis for the federal government.
• It was ratified in 1788.
• The Constitution begins with the Preamble.
• Article II states that a presidential candidate must be a US-born citizen, at least thirty-five years old.
• Presidents must give a State of the Union address regularly.
• Presidents can serve two four-year terms.
• Article I outlines the duties and responsibilities of the legislative branch (US Congress).
• Article III establishes the judicial branch to interpret laws.

Bill of Rights

• The Bill of Rights was crucial for the Constitution's ratification.
• The Bill of Rights guarantees the rights of U.S. citizens, influencing rights protections worldwide.

Principles of US Government

• Popular sovereignty: Government operates with the people's consent and authority.
• Limited government: Government powers are restricted and defined by the Constitution.
• Separation of powers: Power is divided among branches.
• Checks and balances: Branches limit each other's power (e.g., presidential veto, congressional override, judicial review).
• Federalism: Power is divided between federal and state governments.
• The federal government can print money, ensuring uniformity.
• State governments have their own unique powers.

Washington's Presidency

• President Washington created a Cabinet of department heads to advise him.
• The government needed to address war debts and create an economic plan.
• Hamilton's plan included paying off state debts, raising revenue via tariffs, and creating a national bank.
• Washington served two terms, setting a precedent for future presidents.

Political Parties

• George Washington opposed political parties.
• Alexander Hamilton led the Federalists, while Thomas Jefferson led the Democratic-Republicans.
• This led to a two-party political system.
• Federalists favored a strong central government, a national bank, and an economy based on manufacturing and trade.
• They believed wealthy property owners should govern.
• Democratic-Republicans opposed a strong central government, supported states' rights, and wanted an agrarian society.
• They believed common people and farmers should govern.
• Both parties supported liberty and freedom.

Foreign Affairs

• After the Revolutionary War, the US faced border disputes with Spain and Britain and the French Revolution.
• George Washington wanted to keep the US neutral to avoid reconquest.
• The Treaty of San Lorenzo (Pinckney's Treaty): Spain recognized US southern and western borders, allowed US traders access to the Mississippi River, and permitted duty-free goods deposit in New Orleans.
• The Jay Treaty: Britain agreed to withdraw from disputed forts but did not end impressment.
• While preventing war, it was unpopular in the US.
• Tensions with France escalated, but outright war was avoided in the 1790s.

The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, was the first Constitution of the United States, uniting states under a weak federal government. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 ensured fair treatment for existing and new states, including provisions for human rights.