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“…The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their
Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty
throughout the world.”–J M
AMES
W E
T H E
P E O P L E
George Washington looks on as the
new Constitution is signed.
106
ADISON
C H A P T E R
U N I T I N G
S I X
T H E
U N I T E D
S TAT E S
107
The Articles of Confederation was a
constitution written during the American
Revolution to establish the powers of the
new national government.
A Plan
Too Weak
to Work
Philadelphia’s
Independence
Hall was where
the first attempts
to start a
government
took place.
A BAD START
The excitement of victory and the joy of
freeing our nation from rule by a king soon
gave way to panic. Now what? Life in the
new United States was proving to be
difficult. In 1777, soon after America
declared war, members of the Continental
Congress tried to come up with a plan to
keep the brand-new states from drifting into
13 separate countries. Because we had just
shaken ourselves free from a powerful king,
Congress was afraid to give anyone too
much power. They could barely even agree
on what to call the new country.
Still an attempt was made to write a plan
of government, called the Articles of
Confederation, for all thirteen states. Weak
and confusing, the new plan was a flop.
THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION:
FIVE REASONS THEY FAILED
During the Revolutionary War, America’s new leaders tried to
write a constitution that would define the powers of a new
national government, but there were five big problems.
1. A WEAK NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT
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• The new states did not want to lose
control of their own interests, so there
were very few national laws that
applied to every state.
2. A WEAK CONGRESS
• Congress could not collect taxes,
so it had no money to do anything.
• It could not control commerce—
the trade between states.
PAYING THE BILL
The development of the
Constitution was significant to the
foundation of the American
republic.
A government needs money to provide
services and defense for its citizens. It also
needs a plan for dealing with problems as they
arise. But under the Articles of Confederation, all
Congress could do was ask each state to contribute
whatever money they saw fit. Big states and small
states each were given equal say in all decisions.
Little Rhode Island had the same power as big,
wealthy Virginia. Not only was the system unfair, it
didn’t work. Soon the government was broke.
Members of Congress were even chased out of
Philadelphia by rioting soldiers who had never been
paid for fighting in the Revolution. But how could a
government with no money pay them?
TRYING AGAIN: THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Things got so bad that some people even suggested asking Britain to
take us back, but America’s founding fathers would not let that happen.
Too much had been sacrificed. In 1787, eleven years after the signing
of the Declaration of Independence, in the same room in Philadelphia,
George Washington stood in front of 55 of America’s most prominent
men—each representing his home state.
Washington had been elected to preside over the Constitutional
Convention. The weak Articles of Confederation needed to be replaced
with a plan that would spell out exactly how our laws would be made.
Ben Franklin, now old and ill, came. John Adams returned. At first the
delegates thought they could revise the Articles, but a decision was
reached to toss the old plan away and begin
again with a brand new plan—the
Constitution of the United States.
You could
fit more
than 12
Delawares
in the
original
Virginia.
3. NO NATIONAL
CURRENCY
• Each state had its own money
and its own exchange rates. A
traveler from Virginia to
Maryland had to deal with
different currencies.
Soldiers who were never
paid for serving in the
Continental Army also
rioted in Massachusetts in
1787. Led by Daniel
Shay, Shay’s Rebellion
scared the new nation.
Words to Know
!Confederation
(con-fed-ur-a-shun)
The decision of the new
states to work together as
a single group.
!Constitution
(con-sti-too-shun)
Written rules and
principles under which a
government is run.
A famous
statue of
“blind”
justice.
4. ONE STATE,
ONE VOTE
5. NO EXECUTIVE OR
JUDICIAL BRANCHES
• Small states with small
populations had the same say in
national matters as states with
big populations.
• There was no one to make sure
that national laws were carried
out or that those who broke the
laws were punished.
109
A Better
Way: The
Federal
System
For four hot months, the debates
raged on. Was there a way to
share power between the states
and a stronger central power—a
federal government?
The development of the Constitution of
the United States was significant to the
foundation of the American Republic.
The Articles of Confederation had failed. Once again, in
the summer of 1787, the new states sent delegates to
Philadelphia to try to come up with a plan that would
work. George Washington was elected to preside over the
this new constitutional Convention. But, now what?
Virginian James Madison was a short, slender man
with a very big idea called the Virginia Plan. In it he
proposed a new kind of government based on something
we learned to do in kindergarten—share. Sharing power
turned out to be the solution to the problem of running
our new nation.
WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION?
As America’s finest statesmen listened, Madison
explained his idea. His plan was simple. Divide power in a
fair way between a national government and the
governments of each state, then divide the federal
government into three different branches. He wrote down
a list of rules for running this government—a document
that became the Constitution of the United States.
Just like an owner’s manual, the Constitution spelled
out exactly how each branch of the new government
would work, from ways to keep government officials from
becoming too powerful to how new states would be
allowed to enter the Union. Every
emergency had to be thought of. What if the
President died in office? How old did you
have to be to become a U.S. Senator? How
would judges be chosen?
What if laws needed
I N H I S OW N WO R D S
changing? There were so
The Constitution is a document for all of us,
many things to consider.
and its opening paragraph is very famous.
James Madison wrote:
Virginia-born
James Madison,
Father of the
Constitution,
and the famous
document he
wrote.
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“We the people of the United
States, in order to form a more
perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote
the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and
our posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.”
“FATHER OF THE
CONSTITUTION”
Madison had a gift for
bringing people together
and getting them to find
the middle ground
between two extremes—to
compromise. People began
to call him the “Father of
the Constitution.”
THREE BRANCHES TO SHARE THE POWER
Madison had another great idea. He thought it would be good to
have three separate branches of government to share the tasks of
running the country. No one group had too much power, and each
had a way to control the power of the other two branches. The three
groups are:
The Legislative Branch makes laws for the nation.
The Executive Branch makes sure that the laws
are enforced.
The Judicial Branch decides if laws abide by the
Constitution.
SMALL STATES AGAINST LARGE STATES
For four months the men talked and argued.
One of the hottest issues of debate was how large
and small states would be represented in this new
national government. There was a lot of arguing
about the best way to make sure that there was
equal representation.
Month after month, night and day,
James Madison listened, thought, took
notes, and kept pushing to make his
vision for America a reality.
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
After many stormy debates, the delegates from
Connecticut spoke up. Their idea, the Connecticut Plan,
led to the Great Compromise. They proposed keeping
one legislative branch, but splitting it into two groups,
called “houses” that would work side by side.
In the first house—the Senate—each state would have
equal representation. The number of people in the second
house—the House of Representatives—would be based
on the population of each state. States with a lot of
people would have many more representatives than small
states with few people.
On September 17, 1787, a
day now known as
Constitution Day, the plan
was finally agreed upon,
and most of the weary
delegates signed their
names to it. The United
States finally had a plan of
government, but some
delegates felt it still was
not good enough. There
was still work to be done!
George Washington
had the task of
presiding over the
convention. He had to
make sure people got
along and that everyone was heard. It was
a difficult job, and he
often worried about
the fate of the new
country.
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The Constitution of the United
States of America established
a federal system of
government based on power
shared between the national
and state governments.
Three Branches
The most amazing thing about Madison’s Virginia Plan was the
way it kept any one branch from having too much power. Here is
more information about each arm of the government.
WHICH BRANCH?
EXECUTIVE BRANCH:
MAKING SURE LAWS
ARE CARRIED OUT
The White House, the President’s home
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH:
PASSING NEW LAWS
The
Capitol
as it
looks
today
JUDICIAL BRANCH:
REVIEWING LAWS THAT
MAY GO AGAINST THE
CONSTITUTION
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The Supreme Court building
All are in the District of Columbia.
WHO WORKS
THERE
• The President of the United
States heads this branch. He is
helped by the Vice-President.
• The President picks a group
of advisors, called the Cabinet,
to help run the country. These
people head up departments
that help with matters of
defense, education, trade,
transportation, money, and
other important issues.
WHAT DOES
IT DO?
• This branch makes sure the
laws of the nation are enforced.
• The President picks people for
the Supreme Court as needed.
• The President is the
“Commander in Chief” of the
armed forces and can ask
Congress to declare war on
another country.
• The President serves 4 years.
• The Legislative Branch is
called “Congress” and is made
up of two separate houses.
• The Senate: Each state has
two Senators, no matter the
size of the state.
• The House of Representatives:
The number of people elected
to the House of Representatives
is based on the population of
each state.
• Senators serve for six-year
terms.
• People elected to the House
of Representatives serve for a
two-year term.
• They suggest new laws for
the country and vote to decide
if these ideas will become law.
• The Supreme Court has nine
judges, called justices. Each is
picked by a President and
approved by Congress.
• They serve for as long as
they want—some until the day
they die.
• One judge is placed in
charge and is known as the
Chief Justice.
• Justices review laws that
might be unconstitutional.
• Supreme Court justices hear
cases brought by people who
want to challenge a law
passed by Congress.
After the final draft of the Constitution was written, it had to be
ratified. Nine of the thirteen states had to vote in favor of it
before it would become law. States were given a lot of power by
the Constitution as well, but in the years to come, the needs of a
particular state could be very different from the needs of the rest
of a country. That conflict would soon lead to trouble.
Words to Know
!Ratified
(rat-if-eyed)
The giving of formal approval.
HOW CHECKS AND BALANCES WORK
A system of checks and balances keeps any one
branch from having too much power.
Here are some examples.
• If 2/3
of Congress
agree, they can
override the
President’s
veto.
THE PRESIDENT
• The
President
can veto (say no)
to laws the
Legislative
branch writes.
• The President
picks the
judges for
the Supreme
Court.
George
Washington,
the first
U.S.
President
• Senators
vote to
approve or reject
Supreme Court
judges.
• Justices
decide
if laws agree
with the
Constitution.
THE CONGRESS
Robert Morris, one of the
first U.S. Senators
• Justices
decide if the
President is
acting within the
Constitution .
John Jay, the
first Chief Justice of
the United States
THE SUPREME COURT
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The Constitution of the United States gave
America a plan of government, but some
leading citizens felt it was not enough.
Personal freedom had to be guaranteed too.
GEORGE MASON’S PASSION
Virginian George Mason had been a patriotic
leader during the Revolution and a delegate to
the Virginia General Assembly from 1775 to
1781. He had also written a set of laws for
Virginia after independence had been
declared. Now as delegate to the 1787
Constitutional Convention, he was concerned.
Mason and many others felt that the
Constitution said nothing about the promise
of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
When it came time to sign his name to the
Constitution, he refused. Mason simply could
not bring himself to sign a document that, he
believed, gave the government too much
power and did too little to protect people’s
personal rights.
James Madison listened carefully, then
picked up his pen and got to work again.
Madison presented ten amendments to the
Constitution. The new amendments became
known as the Bill of Rights—ten promises of
personal freedom—based on George Mason’s
Virginia Declaration of Freedom and
Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for
Religious Freedom.
The Bill
of Rights
Some people were grumbling.
They felt the Constitution did
not do enough. What about
the American people? What
about their rights?
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WHAT RIGHTS DOES THE BILL
OF RIGHTS GRANT US?
1. We have the right to pray as we see fit and to
say what we want. Newspapers and books can
print their opinions, and we can meet in public to
discuss anything.
2.
In the 1700s a well-trained militia was a
must. This ammendment gives us the right to
bear arms in order to defend ourselves.
3.
Homeowners may not be forced to house or
feed soldiers in their homes.
4.
A person’s home cannot be searched without
permission from a court of law.
5.
No one can be charged with a crime without
a jury hearing the evidence. If charged, a person
must have a lawyer to help and cannot be tried
twice for the same crime.
6.
People deserve a fair and speedy trial. No
secret trials are allowed.
7.
Disputes over money or property will be
settled with a trial by jury.
8.
Prisoners may not be tortured or treated
badly.
9.
The Bill of Rights cannot be used to deny
people rights that were promised in the
Constitution.
10.
The Federal government has limits on its
powers. All other decisions fall to the states.
George Mason was a Virginian who
devoted his life to his country. He
wrote a Bill of Rights for Virginia in
1776—one month before
independence was even declared.
OUR FREEDOMS
The Bill of Rights—ten
amazing amendments to
the Constitution—gave us
all a written guarantee of
individual rights. The
freedom to have a protest
rally, to speak out against
an injustice, the freedom to
choose any religion, the
freedom to write an article
that complains about a
person or law that is
disliked—-all these things
were wonderful and
precious gifts.
America now had a
government for the people
and by the people. But
there were still troubles
waiting for the new nation.
Words to Know
SLAVERY’S SHADOW
!Amendment
(uh-mend-mint)
An addition or change to a document.
I N H I S OW N WO R D S
George Mason explains why he would not
sign the Constitution:
“Upon the most mature Consideration I
was capable of, and from Motives of
sincere Patriotism, I was under the
Necessity of refusing my Signature, as
one of the Virginia Delegates; and drew
up some general Objections; which I
intended to offer, by Way of Protest;
…after the Patrons of this new plan
found they had a decided Majority in
their Favour, which was obtained by a
Compromise between the Eastern, and
the two Southern States, to permit the
latter to continue the Importation of
Slaves for twenty odd Years; a more
favourite Object with them than the
Liberty and Happiness of the People.”
A new problem was
looming. Many Americans
thought slavery was a terrible
thing and were beginning to
speak out against it. To get
the Constitution approved, a
compromise had to be
worked out over the issue of
slavery. Some Northern
states made a deal with two
Southern states. In exchange
for trade laws that would
help those Northern states
with big shipping industries,
the slave trade would be
allowed to continue for at
least 20 more years, to the
advantage of the Southern
states that depended on slave
labor. The issue of slavery
would almost destroy the
United States.
Citizens shake hands with James
Madison as they read the first printed
version of his Bill of Rights in New York,
with great excitement.
115
Congress and the first five Presidents made
decisions establishing a strong government that
helped the nation grow in size and power.
Five Great
Presidents
George Washington
President from 1789-1797
Virginians led the
way in the early days
of the United States.
Of the first five
American Presidents,
all were from Virginia
with the exception of
John Adams of
Massachusetts.
“The Birthplace of Presidents” soon became
Virginia’s nickname, with four of the first
five Presidents born and raised there.
GEORGE WASHINGTON: ORDER IN THE COURT!
His amazing leadership as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
had helped win the American Revolution, and he had presided over the
Constitutional Convention with great dignity. It was only fitting that
George Washington was chosen to lead America as the first President
under the brand new Constitution of the United States.
Everything Washington did was a “first,” and he set a standard for all
future Presidents. He helped establish the brand-new federal court
system and picked the first Supreme Court justices. Being first was a big
responsibility. He could have kept the job for the rest of his life, but
Washington chose to step down after serving for eight years. To walk
away from such great power showed his great character.
BENJAMIN BANNEKER
AND WASHINGTON’S
NEW CITY
Our new nation needed a
capital that was not in any
one state. One of the people
George Washington asked to
help was Benjamin Banneker,
an African-American
scientist, astronomer, and
surveyor. Banneker helped
map out the new federal
district, which became
known as Washington, D.C.
Banneker was also well-known for his annual
almanac, a magazine about the weather and crops.
116
John Adams
President from 1797-1801
Thomas Jefferson
President from 1801-1809
James Madison
President from 1809-1817
James Monroe
President from 1817-1825
JOHN ADAMS: LET’S HAVE A PARTY, OR TWO
In the 1789 election for President, John Adams finished second
to George Washington. In those days the person with the next
highest number of votes became Vice President. Adams, who had
played a huge role in America’s independence, became America’s
first Vice-President. Eight years later he won the election for
President.
By then our nation was caught in the middle of a fight between
France and Britain over sea trade. Adams was cautious and
careful, but he also created a strong foreign policy so the nations
of Europe would respect America.
Back in the United States, arguments began about what was
best for America. That fight led to the start of our nation’s twoparty system. At the end of Adams’s term, the election of
Thomas Jefferson, a member of the opposing political party,
became the first peaceful transfer of power in American history.
THOMAS JEFFERSON: SUPERSIZING AMERICA
Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence had set us
on the path to freedom. By the time he became America’s third
President, he had already done so much for the nation, but under
his leadership one of the biggest changes took place. In 1803 he
bought a huge piece of North America that had been owned by
France. That purchase doubled the size of the United States. The
Louisiana Purchase began a new chapter in America’s story and
led to our nation’s great westward movement.
Jefferson sent two men, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, to
explore the newly bought lands west of the Mississippi River—
one of the most thrilling journeys ever. America was growing, but
with that growth came new challenges.
An early political
banner for Thomas
Jefferson.
PARTY HEARTY
Our nation’s political
parties have nothing to do
with cakes, candles, and gifts.
Each political party has a
different idea about what is
best for our country. In the
1790s there was only one
group running the country.
During President Adams’s
term a fight broke out about
America’s future. One group
wanted a strong national
government while the other
group felt power should
remain with each state. It was
the birth of our two-party
system. These days the
Democrats and Republicans
vie for our votes.
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Congress and the first five
Presidents made decisions
establishing a strong
government that helped
the nation grow in size
and power.
A New
World
Power
James Madison
President from 1809-1817
This reenactment shows the burning of
the White House by British troops
during the War of 1812—a terrible
day for the people of Washington, D.C.
Bullies like to pick on people
they think are weak. It had
been less than 25 years since
America gained its independence
from Great Britain. Now, once
more, the new nation found
itself being bullied—caught
between Europe’s super-powers
in a new struggle for survival.
JAMES MADISON AND THE WAR OF 1812
The man known as the Father of the Constitution became
America’s fourth President when Thomas Jefferson’s term
ended. During Madison’s presidency America found itself
caught in a triangle between France and Britain as British
ships tried to stop American ships from trading with
France. American ships were pirated on the high seas and
American sailors dragged onto English ships. In 1812,
Madison asked Congress to declare war on Britain. For the
next two years America’s armed forces struggled but stood
firm, and in 1814 the British had to end the fight. America’s
ability to defend itself against a super-power led the
nations of Europe to gain respect for the U.S.
OH SAY CAN YOU SEE?
The Star-Spangled Banner is our nation’s national
anthem—a soaring song that describes one of the key
battles of the War of 1812. One September evening in
1814, Francis Scott Key paced the damp deck of a ship
in Baltimore Harbor as British ships shelled Fort
McHenry. Smoke filled the air as flames streaked across
the water. Key was terrified. Could the Americans
endure? As day broke the next morning, the tattered,
shredded flag you see here was still fluttering above
the fort. Key’s words, scribbled on the back of an
envelope that early dawn, became the words that
inspired generations of Americans.
EY E W I T N E S S TO H I STO RY
Dolley Madison James Madison’s wife was writing
a letter to her sister as the British drew near to
Washington :
James Monroe
President from
1817-1825
“We have had a battle, or skirmish…I am
still, within sound of the cannon! Mr.
Madison comes not. May God protect us! Two messengers,
covered with dust, come to bid me fly; but here I mean to
wait for him... At this late hour a wagon has been procured,
and I have had it filled with plate and the most valuable
portable articles, belonging to the house. Whether it will
reach its destination…or fall into the hands of British
soldiery, events must determine. Our kind friend, Mr. Carroll,
has come to hasten my departure, and in a very bad humor
with me, because I insist on waiting until the large picture
of General Washington is secured, and it requires to be
unscrewed from the wall. This process was found too tedious
for these perilous moments; I have ordered the frame to be
broken, and the canvas taken out. It is done! and the
precious portrait placed in the hands of two gentlemen of
New York, for safe keeping. And now, dear sister, I must
leave this house, or the retreating army will make me a
prisoner in it by filling up the road I am directed to take.
When I shall again write to you, or where I shall be tomorrow, I cannot tell!
JAMES MONROE AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE
A 1912 cartoon shows that
almost 100 years after it was
written, the Monroe Doctrine
was still a key policy for the U.S.
President number five was Virginian, James Monroe. A
Revolutionary War hero who served alongside George
Washington, Monroe had been a governor, senator, and diplomat
before becoming President.
While Monroe was President, America was busily pushing
westward, and several new states joined the union. At the same
time some countries in South America were following in the
footsteps of the United States and declaring independence from
European kings. To protect these new nations, Monroe developed
a plan that became known as the Monroe Doctrine. Afraid that
Spain and France might try to take advantage of the people who
had just overthrown European rule, Monroe warned Europe’s
nations not to interfere in any part of the Western Hemisphere,
which includes North and South America. He vowed that the
United States would stand beside any nation in the Americas that
found itself under attack. The doctrine sent a message to any king
or emperor with thoughts of colonizing the Americas. Stay away!
119
A More Perfect Union
120
The Treaty of Paris ended the
Revolutionary War…
…but America’s first attempt
at government was flawed.
Afraid of giving anyone too
much power, the laws were
all too weak…
…which left America with no
army or unified money
system.
A Constitutional Convention
set out to try to do better…
…and James Madison
managed to get folks to agree
…on a plan for a stronger
central government, created
by a new Constitution.
Some Americans felt they
could do better still, and
demanded a Bill of Rights…
…which gave us freedom of
religion, speech, the press,
and other rights…
…but America’s leaders still
could not agree about
America’s future…
…and split into two different
political parties. The two-party
system became…
…the foundation of today’s
American political system.
Chapter Six Review
Use pages 108-109 to answer questions 1 and 2.
1. In complete sentences, explain the Articles of Confederation.
2. In a paragraph, state the five basic weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation.
Use page 109 to answer question 3 in a complete sentence.
3. Why did the leaders of America gather in Philadelphia at the
Constitutional Convention of 1787?
Use pages 110-111 to answer questions 4 and 5.
4. Two great Virginians, George Washington and James Madison,
made significant contributions to the creation of the Constitution
of the United States. In a paragraph, explain their roles in
developing the Constitution.
5. What did the Great Compromise accomplish?
Use pages 112-113 to answer question 6 in complete sentences.
6. What are the three branches of government, and what do
they do?
Use pages 114-115 to answer question 7 in a complete
sentence.
7. What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
Use pages 116-117 to answer question 8.
8. Congress and the first five Presidents made decisions
establishing a strong government that helped the nation grow in
size and power. Copy and complete this chart to explain the major
national issues and events each President faced.
George
Washington
John
Adams
Thomas
Jefferson
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
4.
James
Monroe
James
Madison
1.
1.
Think and Do
• Look over the Bill of
Rights and decide which
amendments you feel
should be changed to meet
the needs of people today.
Make a list of a new Bill of
Rights based on your
opinions.
• Re-read pages 116-119
recounting the first five
Presidents of the United
States. Create a new
nickname for each of them
that describes their
contributions to the
building of America.
Imagine…
• Imagine that at the end of
the Revolutionary War, each
of the thirteen colonies
decided to become
separate and independent
countries. How would life in
America be different today?
• Imagine that the
delegates at the
Constitutional Convention
of 1787 decided that
America needed a king to
rule the country instead of
an elected President. How
different or similar would
our government be today?
• Imagine that each state
had continued to use its
own state’s money. How
might that have
complicated things?
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