2. The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we explore the similarities and differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. The similarities included: (i) no state was allowed to grant noble titles; (ii) ex post facto law was prohibited. The differences were more numerous and included: (i) powers were shifted from the state to federal government, e.g. the power to tax; (ii) restricted what states could do, e.g. print money; and (iii) created system that was much less democratic.

Course

In this course, Professor Woody Holton (University of South Carolina) explores the origins of US Constitution and the differing ideological positions on the structure and function of the federal government in this period. We start by looking at both the internal and external reasons for a new federal government. We then turn to explore how the Constitution differed from the Articles of Confederation. After this, we turn to examine the nine battles of the Constitutional Convention.

Lecturer

Woody Holton is Peter and Bonnie McCausland Professor of History at the University of South Carolina. He specialises in early American history, especially the American Revolution, with a focus on economic history, African Americans, Native Americans, and women. He is author of a number of books within these fields including Liberty is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution.