The Confederation and The Constitution 1776 -1790 Chapter

The Confederation and The Constitution 1776 -1790 Chapter 9

The American Revolution n n The Revolution was not a radical or total change It was not overturn of the entire political system like France or Russia

The Revolution n The American Revolution did affect social customs, political institutions, and ideas about government, society and gender roles All Americans now wished to be called “Mr. ” and “Mrs. ” titles formerly reserved for the wealthy Inheritance laws of primogeniture were abolished.

The Anglican Church n n The Anglican Church was humbled after the Revolution Reformed as the Protestant Episcopal Church

The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom - 1786 n n Thomas Jefferson penned this religious document in 1786; it allowed for the complete separation of church and state in Virginia. This was the first divorce between religion and government in the USA

The Philadelphia Quakers n n Philadelphia Quakers founded the first antislavery society in the US 1775

Abolition of Slavery in the North n n n Several Northern states either abolished slavery or provided for gradual emancipation (no state south of PA) Still barred owning of property No education for slave children Couldn’t hold certain jobs Interracial marriage illegal

Slavery n n A fight over the issue of slavery would have divided the fragile new country, so the feasibility of abolition was never considered. The institution would continue to be a divisive issue (1861 -1865)

Women's Role n n n Change from Brit. Empire to USA did not redefine women’s roles completely Abigail Adams Mothers were to teach civic virtue and republicanism to children

Constitutions n n The Continental Congress called upon each state to draft their own constitution The authority of the state would rest with the people.

Massachusetts n n The MA state constitution is especially noteworthy (written by John Adams) Called a Constitutional Convention to draft the document Submitted draft directly to the people to vote and ratification Adopted in 1780

What is a Constitution? n n An accumulation of laws, customs, and precedents written down together Annual elections forced lawmakers to stay in touch with the people. Weak Executives and Judiciaries STRONG Legislatures in touch w/ people

Distrust n n Distrust of His Majesty’s Officials gave power back to the people in the United States seized control of former Crown lands Loyalists land cut up into small farms Cheap land available

Manufacturing n n There was a sharp rise in manufacturing after the American Revolution Goods from England were cut off to the Yankees This forced manufacturing of their own Americans remained mostly agricultural

Independence Has Drawbacks n n There were economic drawbacks to Independence American ships were banned from English ports and British West Indies ports. BUT America could begin trade with foreign nations…such as the Baltic nations and Asian nations 1784 Empress of China brings ginseng to East Asian herbal doctors

Inflation n n Inflation hit hard after the war Avg. citizen was worse off after then b 4 the war Rich class of profiteers from war goods Once-wealthy left poor

Power n n n Power was looked at suspiciously after the Revolution It is hard to start a government and a new nation without power of some sort Experimentation & Innovation in Government

13 States n n n All 13 states had similar government structure and constitutions Had good leadership from Revolutionary War and Continental Congress Coined money, raised armies/navies and set tariffs

Confederation n Articles of Confederation – adopted by Congress in 1777 during the War Document was translated to French to prove that the United States had a real gov't Not ratified by all 13 states until 1781

State Jealousy n n Smaller states were jealous of larger states because of their land West of the Allegheny Mountains. Agreement on Articles of Confederation came when the sale of western land would benefit the “common benefit” and create new and separate “republican states” to be admitted to the Union later

The Northwest Territory n n n Fertile land of the Northwest Territory transferred to the Central Government Heritage thrown into common pot Pioneers would buy land from the federal government

Articles of Confederation n n Provided for a loose confederation or firm friendship Linked for joint action against any common problem Weak Congress – chief agency of govt. No Executive Branch Judicial Arm left to states

The USA under Confederation n n n Each state had a SINGLE vote in Congress RI and VA were equal in power 9/13 for passage of a bill 13/13 to change the Articles themselves Unanimity almost impossible Little could be done

Confederation Congress n n n No power to regulate commerce Each state had different laws about tariffs and navigation Congress had a tax policy, but no authority to enforce tax collection Tax quota for each state, state asked to please pay Might receive ¼ of what it asked for !!!

The United States n n Capital @ Philadelphia Could not command or coerce control the states Articles were a 1 st in republican govt. EXPERIMENTAL!!

Articles cont… n n n The Articles of Confederation were a huge stepping stone and learning process leading to the future US Constitution Outlined powers of the federal government, such as treaties and a national postal service HELD STATES TOGETHER IN UNION!

LAND n n Confederation Congress passed much-needed laws on land Old Northwest – NW of Ohio River, E. of Miss. River, and S. of Great Lakes

Land Laws (important for test) n n n Land Ordinance of 1785 – provided that land in the Old Northwest should be sold and proceeds would go to pay off the national debt Surveyed, Sold, Settled Each township – 6 square miles 36 sections of 1 mile each 16 th section – provided for a public school

Land Laws cont… n n n Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – came to grips with how a nation would deal with its colonies (territories) Temporary tutelage, permanent equality 1 – subordinate to federal government 2 – after 60, 000 people, eligible to apply for statehood into Union SLAVERY FORBIDDEN IN OLD NORTHWEST

Foreign Relations n n USA and rest of the world had troubled relationship 8 years before Britain would even send an ambassador No commercial treaties with Britain signed and old Navigation Laws still in effect in England (no commerce to or from US if not in a British ship) England shut off West Indies trade to US

Foreign Relations cont… n n n Spain – openly unfriendly with USA Controlled mouth of Miss. River 1784 – closed Miss. River to American commerce Almost strangled American West Florida controlled by Spain and Britain incited Indians against US

Foreign Relations cont… n n France – got revenge against Britain by helping US win the war Became less friendly after the war was over Wanted repayment of all loans Restricted trade with the USA

Foreign Relations cont… n n North Africa Coast – controlled by Muslims Dey of Algiers – famous pirate who controlled the Mediterranean Sea along with other Muslim pirates Enslaved Yankee sailors US too weak to buy off the Barbary Pirates like the British Empire

Shay’s Rebellion n n 1786 – western Mass. Farmers, very poor and backcountry, losing farms to mortgage foreclosures and late taxes Capt. Daniel Shays led the revolt

Shay’s Rebellion n n Shaysites wanted cheap paper money, lighter taxes, and no foreclosures on their farms 100 s attempted to enforce demands MA took drastic actions & raised a small army Springfield – 3 Shaysites killed, one wounded Shays condemned to death but pardoned

Federal Govt. Needed Muscle n n Prosperity was coming back to shipping by 1789 and US was coming out of postwar depression BUT – the federal government needed more muscle to enforce commerce

Constitutional Convention n n Ultimately, problems with commerce led to the need for a constitutional convention to revamp the Articles of Confederation 39 year old Alexander Hamilton called upon Congress to meet in Philadelphia, PA in 1787 “for the sole and express purpose of revising” the Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention n n n n May 25, 1787 – 55 representatives from 12 states (RI) met @ redbrick statehouse in Philadelphia Meetings held in complete secrecy Armed guards, mostly lawyers T. J. called them “demigods” George Washington – unanimous chairman Franklin, Madison, Hamilton, Henry wouldn’t come because he smelled a rat Jefferson, Adams & Jay in Europe – didn’t attend

Patriots of Philadelphia n n Conservative, lawyers, shippers, moneylenders, experienced in politics Young (avg. age 42) 19/55 owned slaves ALL NATIONALISTS – intense feeling of pride for one’s own country

Patriots of Philadelphia n n n These men wanted to take revolutionary idealism and create a stable, but powerful, political structure that would last Wanted to give Central Govt. power over commerce Preservation of Union Secure Liberty and Property 56 th delegate was FEAR of the alternative

Compromise n n n 1 st decision was made to SCRAP the Articles of Confederation It was an overthrow of government by peaceful means This led to several other compromises that would be ever important to US History

Virginia Plan “The Large State Plan” n n n Bicameral Congress with membership of each state decided by population Would give large states most representatives in both Houses Not favored by small states

New Jersey Plan “Small State Plan” n n Equal representation in unicameral Congress regardless of size or population Large states against this idea

Deadlock Angry Debate Would the Convention Unravel?

The Great Compromise n n As temperatures cooled in Philadelphia, so too did the tempers of the delegates House of Representatives – representation based on population of each state Senate – equal representation for each state (2 Senators for each) * Every tax bill or revenue measure had to originate in the House, where pop. mattered

The Executive n n n The new Constitution called for a strong executive head of state Military commander in chief Appointed federal judges

The Electoral College n n n Each state’s populous would vote for Electors, not the president directly The number of each state’s electors were to be based on the number of Reps it had in the House (population) Electors would then cast ballot for president If no majority, then election would go to the House of Representatives 1800 & 1824 only times this happened

3/5 Compromise n n Slave would be counted as 3/5 of one person for state population Convention decided slave importation would end by 1807 but not institution of slavery

Conservatism n n n Most delegates did agree for the most part All wanted sound money (gold/silver) Protection of private property All wanted 3 branches of govt. with checks and balances None wanted all-manhood-suffrage Afraid of the masses, made barriers against mobocracy

Federal Judges n n Elected for life President would be elected indirectly Senators were not elected by people, but by the state legislatures But the system did have democratic elements

September 17, 1787 n n Only 42/55 delegates left to sign the Constitution 3/42 delegates were opposed to the passage of the document and voted against it.

Federalists n n n Silver-buckled, powerful, influential, rich Most from the coastal areas, wealthy, educated, better organized, controlled the press Washington, Hamilton, Franklin Anti-Federalist n n Opposed the Constitution and the stronger federal govt. Wanted a Bill of Rights Supporters of state’s rights, country, poor Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee

U. S. History n n Time has shown that both liberals and conservatives from both American parties cherish the heritage and agree on the importance of the U. S. Constitution !!! The End !!!!!