Name:_____________________________________________ Date:___________ Class:______
The Constitution of the United States: Part 1
Trying to Form a Federal Government
- America had to create its own rules and government, since they no longer belonged to
Britain.
- Fighting Britain gave the former Colonies a common goal and unified them.
- __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
The First Attempt to Form a Government
- __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
- The government gave one vote to each state, regardless of population.
- The Articles of Confederation were passed in 1781.
The Weakness of the Articles
- Each state functioned independently from the others. It was difficult to get anything
accomplished.
- __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
- From 1786 to 1787, it became clear that a stronger government was needed and that the
Articles would not work due to a rebellion.
Shays’ Rebellion
- __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
- Daniel Shays led 1,200 farmers to try and take over the government.
- They were eventually defeated. However, this proved a stronger federal government was
needed.
Removing the Articles of Confederation
- One major obstacle to replacing the Articles was the problem of giving fair representation to
states.
- __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
- James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan. It called for a two-house legislative “law
making” body based on population.
Copyright, © USHistoryTeachers.com
All Rights Reserved.
Name:_____________________________________________ Date:___________ Class:______
FULL NOTES
The Constitution of the United States: Part 1
Trying to Form a Federal Government
- America had to create its own rules and government, since they no longer belonged to
Britain.
- Fighting Britain gave the former Colonies a common goal and unified them.
- Many wanted a republic, a government in which citizens are able to elect their leaders.
The First Attempt to Form a Government
- The Second Continental Congress passed the Articles of Confederation. It was an
“alliance” among the states.
- The government gave one vote to each state, regardless of population.
- The Articles of Confederation were passed in 1781.
The Weakness of the Articles
- Each state functioned independently from the others. It was difficult to get anything
accomplished.
- There was no way to raise money or enforce federal laws. Also, there was no federal court
system.
- From 1786 to 1787, it became clear that a stronger government was needed and that the
Articles would not work due to a rebellion.
Shays’ Rebellion
- In protest to taxes, farmers rebelled in Massachusetts in what came to be known as Shays’
Rebellion.
- Daniel Shays led 1,200 farmers to try and take over the government.
- They were eventually defeated. However, this proved a stronger federal government was
needed.
Removing the Articles of Confederation
- One major obstacle to replacing the Articles was the problem of giving fair representation to
states.
- Small states feared being ignored and large states felt they deserved a greater voice due to
their higher population.
- James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan. It called for a two-house legislative “law
making” body based on population.
Copyright, © USHistoryTeachers.com
All Rights Reserved.