Confederation Forever Part #1: The Beginning
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Confederation, 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 Articles of Confederation for the United States of America.- Preamble for the Amended Articles of Confederation
The PoD for TTL is a simple one. In 1786, in Annapolis, Maryland, the representatives from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia meet to discuss the future of the young United States. The states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina appointed delegates but didn’t arrive. The other four states didn’t take any measures at all.
But WI the Annapolis Convention had been bigger, with an amended Articles of Confederation?
In OTL, the five states sent a report to the Continental Congress and to the states. In the report, the states asked that more states meet in Philadelphia next May, which is what happened. In TTL, though, the delegates from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina arrive in time for the convention, while Connecticut and Maryland sending representatives, leaving only the two southern most states.
September 11th, 1786- Delegates from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Connecticut, and Maryland arrive in Annapolis to discuss the amending the Articles of Confederation. South Carolina and Georgia don’t send any delegates.
September-October, 1786- The delegates (who now call the meeting the Annapolis Convention) discuss the possible amendments to the Articles of the Confederation. They elect Benjamin Franklin (PA) as the President of the Convention.
They get very little done, and agree to meet again in May, 1787. The delegates, though, send requests to South Carolina and Georgia to join the Annapolis Convention.
November 9th, 1786th- South Carolina votes to join the other eleven states in the Annapolis Convention. Georgia remains steadfast in her decision.
December, 1786-February, 1787- Georgia votes several times whether or not to join the Annapolis Convention. Two parties form, the Federalists who support the Annapolis Convention and the Patriots who don’t support it.
February, 1787- The 12 states that are part of the Annapolis Convention begin drafting their ideas for the convention.
March 23rd, 1787- The Patriot Party has a slim majority in the Georgia State Legislature, and a Patriot governor. There are talks of succession from the United States.
May 10th, 1787- The Second Annapolis Convention begins. Again, the Convention approaches Georgia about the state joining the convention.
May-September, 1787- The Second Annapolis Convention meets, and begins the task of amending the Articles of the Confederation. There are, of course, obstacles that the delegates must jump over, all of which are solved by compromise. By September, a draft of the amended Articles of Confederation are presented (see below).
In Georgia, there is increasing resistance of the Annapolis Convention.
Excerpt from "The Articles of Confederation: The Amendments"
By Dr. Richard Hefner
Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
Amendment the First, Federal Taxation: The United States in Congress assembled shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises upon the several States. Any State, having been delinquent in its taxes to the United States in Congress Assembled, shall forfeit their right to vote on all matters relating to taxation in that body until such taxes are paid in full.
Amendment the Second, Inter-state commerce: Section 1: The United States in Congress assembled shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States. Section 2: No State shall lay any imposts or duties upon another state, excepting taxation which is equally applicable to all goods sold in that state.
Amendment the Third, Regulation of Currency: The United States in Congress assembled shall have the power to establish a Continental Currency, and to regulate the value thereof.
Amendment the Fourth, Office of the Chief Minister: Section 1: The leader of the political party or group that has a majority in the United States House of Representatives Assembled shall become the Chief Executive of the Nation, who will be called 'The Chief Minister of the United States', who shall have authority to appoint a committee to be denominated 'A Cabinet of the Chief Minister', to consist of Congressmen/Senators from the various States; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States under their direction. Section 2: He shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States. He shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during his continuance in office. Section 3: The Chief Minister of the United States shall have the power to veto a bill.
Amendment the Fifth, Office of the President: Section 1: The People of the United States of America shall elect a President for life. The President shall have several duties. The President of the United State shall represent the United States in its international relations. He shall conclude treaties with foreign states on behalf of the Untied States. Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States. The President of the United States can also summon or dissolve the United States in Congress Assembled, and also dismiss a Chief Minister and his/her ministers. Section 2: To serve as President of the United States, a candidate must be a citizen of the United States and born in the United States. The President of the United States must also have served in the United States in Congress Assembled, governor as a State, or a Chief Minister. The President of the United States can also override a Chief Minister veto. Section 3: The President of the United States is either president for life, or until he abdicates (resigns). After the Office of the President of the United States becomes vacant, the United States in Congress Assembled will pick a date for new elections.
Amendment the Sixth, Bill of Rights: The United States in Congress assembled shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, and shall make no law restricting the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the people to peaceably assemble or of the people to seek redress of grievances.
Amendment the Seventh, Full Faith and Credit Clause: The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.
Amendment the Eighth, Organization of the Congress: Section 1: The legislative power shall be vested in a Congress, to consist of two separate and distinct bodies, a House of Representatives, and a Senate; each of which shall, in all cases, have a negative on the other. The Legislature shall meet on the first Monday in December in every year. Section 2: The Members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen every second year, by the people of the several States comprehended within this Union. The qualifications of the electors shall be the same, from time to time, as those of the electors in the several States, of the most numerous branches of their own legislatures. The House of Representatives shall consist of one delegate for every forty thousand in population. All bills for raising or appropriating money, and for fixing the salaries of the officers of government, shall originate in the House of Representatives. Each member shall have one vote. The Chief Minister of the United States shall be the leader of the majority party. Section 2: The Senate of the United States shall be chosen by the Legislatures of the several States. Each State Legislature shall chose two members and the people of the State shall elect one. Vacancies may be supplied by the Executive until the next meeting of the Legislature. Each member shall have one vote. The Senators shall be chosen for six years; but immediately after the first election they shall be divided, into three classes, as nearly as may be, numbered one, two and three. The seats of the members of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that a third part of the members may be chosen every second year.
Amendment the Ninth, Organization of the Courts: Section 1: The judicial branch of the United States shall consist of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States shall consist of nine judges, eight regular judges called Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and one Chief Justice of the Supreme Court that runs the Supreme Court and can only vote in cases if there is a tie. The Supreme Court of the United States can rule any law or bill unconstitutional, and review any court ruling that is appealed. Section 2: The President of the United States will appoint the eight Associate Justices, with the approval from the United States Senate. Each Associate Justice will be on the supreme court for life, or until they abdicate. Associate Justices can also be removed by the United States Senate. The Chief Justice is selected by the United States Senate, and a new Associate Justice is appointed. Section 3: The United States in Congress Assembled have the authority to establish lower courts.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Confederation, 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 Articles of Confederation for the United States of America.- Preamble for the Amended Articles of Confederation
The PoD for TTL is a simple one. In 1786, in Annapolis, Maryland, the representatives from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia meet to discuss the future of the young United States. The states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina appointed delegates but didn’t arrive. The other four states didn’t take any measures at all.
But WI the Annapolis Convention had been bigger, with an amended Articles of Confederation?
In OTL, the five states sent a report to the Continental Congress and to the states. In the report, the states asked that more states meet in Philadelphia next May, which is what happened. In TTL, though, the delegates from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina arrive in time for the convention, while Connecticut and Maryland sending representatives, leaving only the two southern most states.
September 11th, 1786- Delegates from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Connecticut, and Maryland arrive in Annapolis to discuss the amending the Articles of Confederation. South Carolina and Georgia don’t send any delegates.
September-October, 1786- The delegates (who now call the meeting the Annapolis Convention) discuss the possible amendments to the Articles of the Confederation. They elect Benjamin Franklin (PA) as the President of the Convention.
They get very little done, and agree to meet again in May, 1787. The delegates, though, send requests to South Carolina and Georgia to join the Annapolis Convention.
November 9th, 1786th- South Carolina votes to join the other eleven states in the Annapolis Convention. Georgia remains steadfast in her decision.
December, 1786-February, 1787- Georgia votes several times whether or not to join the Annapolis Convention. Two parties form, the Federalists who support the Annapolis Convention and the Patriots who don’t support it.
February, 1787- The 12 states that are part of the Annapolis Convention begin drafting their ideas for the convention.
March 23rd, 1787- The Patriot Party has a slim majority in the Georgia State Legislature, and a Patriot governor. There are talks of succession from the United States.
May 10th, 1787- The Second Annapolis Convention begins. Again, the Convention approaches Georgia about the state joining the convention.
May-September, 1787- The Second Annapolis Convention meets, and begins the task of amending the Articles of the Confederation. There are, of course, obstacles that the delegates must jump over, all of which are solved by compromise. By September, a draft of the amended Articles of Confederation are presented (see below).
In Georgia, there is increasing resistance of the Annapolis Convention.
Excerpt from "The Articles of Confederation: The Amendments"
By Dr. Richard Hefner
Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
Amendment the First, Federal Taxation: The United States in Congress assembled shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises upon the several States. Any State, having been delinquent in its taxes to the United States in Congress Assembled, shall forfeit their right to vote on all matters relating to taxation in that body until such taxes are paid in full.
Amendment the Second, Inter-state commerce: Section 1: The United States in Congress assembled shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States. Section 2: No State shall lay any imposts or duties upon another state, excepting taxation which is equally applicable to all goods sold in that state.
Amendment the Third, Regulation of Currency: The United States in Congress assembled shall have the power to establish a Continental Currency, and to regulate the value thereof.
Amendment the Fourth, Office of the Chief Minister: Section 1: The leader of the political party or group that has a majority in the United States House of Representatives Assembled shall become the Chief Executive of the Nation, who will be called 'The Chief Minister of the United States', who shall have authority to appoint a committee to be denominated 'A Cabinet of the Chief Minister', to consist of Congressmen/Senators from the various States; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States under their direction. Section 2: He shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States. He shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during his continuance in office. Section 3: The Chief Minister of the United States shall have the power to veto a bill.
Amendment the Fifth, Office of the President: Section 1: The People of the United States of America shall elect a President for life. The President shall have several duties. The President of the United State shall represent the United States in its international relations. He shall conclude treaties with foreign states on behalf of the Untied States. Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States. The President of the United States can also summon or dissolve the United States in Congress Assembled, and also dismiss a Chief Minister and his/her ministers. Section 2: To serve as President of the United States, a candidate must be a citizen of the United States and born in the United States. The President of the United States must also have served in the United States in Congress Assembled, governor as a State, or a Chief Minister. The President of the United States can also override a Chief Minister veto. Section 3: The President of the United States is either president for life, or until he abdicates (resigns). After the Office of the President of the United States becomes vacant, the United States in Congress Assembled will pick a date for new elections.
Amendment the Sixth, Bill of Rights: The United States in Congress assembled shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, and shall make no law restricting the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the people to peaceably assemble or of the people to seek redress of grievances.
Amendment the Seventh, Full Faith and Credit Clause: The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.
Amendment the Eighth, Organization of the Congress: Section 1: The legislative power shall be vested in a Congress, to consist of two separate and distinct bodies, a House of Representatives, and a Senate; each of which shall, in all cases, have a negative on the other. The Legislature shall meet on the first Monday in December in every year. Section 2: The Members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen every second year, by the people of the several States comprehended within this Union. The qualifications of the electors shall be the same, from time to time, as those of the electors in the several States, of the most numerous branches of their own legislatures. The House of Representatives shall consist of one delegate for every forty thousand in population. All bills for raising or appropriating money, and for fixing the salaries of the officers of government, shall originate in the House of Representatives. Each member shall have one vote. The Chief Minister of the United States shall be the leader of the majority party. Section 2: The Senate of the United States shall be chosen by the Legislatures of the several States. Each State Legislature shall chose two members and the people of the State shall elect one. Vacancies may be supplied by the Executive until the next meeting of the Legislature. Each member shall have one vote. The Senators shall be chosen for six years; but immediately after the first election they shall be divided, into three classes, as nearly as may be, numbered one, two and three. The seats of the members of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that a third part of the members may be chosen every second year.
Amendment the Ninth, Organization of the Courts: Section 1: The judicial branch of the United States shall consist of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States shall consist of nine judges, eight regular judges called Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and one Chief Justice of the Supreme Court that runs the Supreme Court and can only vote in cases if there is a tie. The Supreme Court of the United States can rule any law or bill unconstitutional, and review any court ruling that is appealed. Section 2: The President of the United States will appoint the eight Associate Justices, with the approval from the United States Senate. Each Associate Justice will be on the supreme court for life, or until they abdicate. Associate Justices can also be removed by the United States Senate. The Chief Justice is selected by the United States Senate, and a new Associate Justice is appointed. Section 3: The United States in Congress Assembled have the authority to establish lower courts.