1780s

1. 1780s Chapter 9

2. Essential Question? • What were the flaws in the Articles of Confederation? • How did Shay’s Rebellion highlight the need for a new type of government?

3. Pursuit of Equality • Post-Revolution the spirit of equality was strong, but not all encompassing. • Indentured servitude was slowly banned. • Virginia became the 1st state to declare religious freedom. • Quakers found 1st antislavery society. • Many northern states ban slavery. • Women, free blacks, and slaves continued to be excluded from the revolutionary expansion of rights.

4. Abigail Adams • To her husband John at the Constitutional Convention: • “Remember the ladies when you create the new government.”

5. State Constitutions • Included many innovations that would later be added to the US Constitution. • Special conventions needed to create new const. • Written to ensure fairness, unlike UK’s unwritten const. • Periodic election of representatives. Election

6. Economics of Freedom • War spurred limited manufacturing. • US trade with UK and it’s colonies banned. • But, now could trade freely with any nation. • States were heavily in debt from war loans. • Many Americans were worse economically than before the Revolution.

7. Shaky Start • Americans suspicious of authority • War had united, now with peace would they stay united? • Enlightenment lead toward experimentation with government. • Industries suffered after war, UK imports flooded the market. • US blessed with great leaders: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, etc.

8. 1st Constitution • In 1776 the Continental Congress created the Articles of Confederation. • The AoC was not ratified by all 13 colonies until 1781. • Big problem was the western lands. • NY and Virginia claimed most land west of Appalachians. • Other states worried that these “mega” states might overwhelm the other 11.

9. Northwest Ordinance • 1787: Congress agreed to “carve” the western lands into new states. • These states would eventually be equal to the original 13. • The land would be sold to individuals, with the profits shared among the 13 states. • This was the major accomplishment of the AoC!! (along with the Treaty of Paris)

10. Weaknesses of AoC • No executive or judicial branches. • Amendments must be unanimous (13) decisions. • 9 of 13 states needed for laws. • Small states equal to large states. • National government had no power to tax = no revenue. • No national control of commerce.

11. Other Problems and Positives • With no revenue, the national government couldn’t pay debts owed to soldiers. • 1783 soldiers demonstrated in front of Independence Hall, Congress flees. • Weak AoC still seemed superior to European styles, many wanted no change. • Did establish 1st postal service • Held the states together for eight years after Revolution.

12. Path Toward New States • The Northwest Ordinance was preceeded by the Land Ordinance of 1785. • This law surveyed and divided the future states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin into 1 mile plots. • Each plot was then sold to raise federal revenue. • Once a territory had 60,000 residents it could apply for statehood. • Slavery was prohibited and education was required.

13. Trade Troubles • UK still controlled much of trade with US. • Monopolies and tariffs stifled US trade. • British still controlled several trading posts on American soil. • Spain controlled the western side of Mississippi River; 1784 they refused to allow Americans access damaging the western farmers. • Both UK and Spain courted AI as allies for future wars against US.

14. Border Clashes • States argued over borders. • Some taxed goods from their neighbors. • Both state and individual debt was rampant.

15. Shay’s Rebellion • Poor Massachusetts farmers, many former soldiers, were losing their lands due to debt, high taxes, and a lack of currency. • Led by Revolution veteran Daniel Shay, these rebels began attacking banks, courthouses, and marching toward Boston. • The elite of Boston hired an army that clashed with Shay, who was condemned to death (but pardoned).

16. Shay’s Rebellion • What had gone wrong? • These men who fought against tyranny a few years ago now felt it in their new republic. • Was the new nation too liberal? Not liberal enough? • Should a monarchy be established? • Should there be a stronger central government? How strong?

17. Annapolis Convention • 1786: 5 states meet in Maryland to discuss a solution to the commerce woes of the AoC. • Poor showing accomplished little. • The only important outcome was a suggestion by Alexander Hamilton , who suggested another assembly the next summer in Philadelphia. • The purpose of this convention would be to “revise” the AoC.

18. Constitutional Convention • 12 states send representatives (Rhode Island refused because it thought a strong central government would ignore their tiny state) • The state legislatures chose their reps. • Group predominantly made up of property owners, yet they didn’t restrict rights to the poor. • 55 delegates agreed to keep their discussions secret until the end.

19. Constitutional Convention • Most delegates were lawyers, many had written their state constitutions. • George Washington chosen as chairman. • James Madison becomes the “Father of the Constitution” • Missing: Jefferson, Adams, Paine, Adams, Hancock, Henry.

20. The Options Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan “Small-state” plan Unicameral 3 branches Suggested by William Patterson Each state would receive an equal number of representatives for Congress; large states = small states. • “Big-state” plan • Bicameral legislature • 3 Branches • Suggested by James Madison • Each state would receive representatives for Congress based on population; large states receive more votes in Congress.

21. Great Compromise • “Connecticut” Plan • Bicameral legislature • 3 branches • Suggested by Roger Sherman • 1 house all states are equal (Senate) • 1 house states get representatives based on population (House of Representatives) • All tax laws must originate in HoR

22. The Executive • Executive would have limited power • Called president • Make appointments • Veto laws • Commander in Chief: could wage war once Congress declares • Not directly elected; Electoral College used. HoR decides if no majority in EC

23. Electoral College

24. Sectional Compromise • South wanted slaves to count toward their population in the HoR, North refused because the slaves would not have suffrage. • Both sides agreed on the 3/5ths Compromise • Each slave counted as 3/5ths of a person toward representation. • Slave Trade Compromise: all states agreed to disallow the importation of African slaves in 1807.

25. Fear of the Mob • Only the House was directly elected in the original Constitution. • Senate (state legislatures), President (EC), and judges (appointed) were all out of the direct control of the people. • Shay’s Rebellion had scared the elite away from giving too much power to “common” men.

26. Ratification • AoC required unanimity to amend, but the Constitutional Convention required 9 of 13. • This exceeded the power given by Congress! • Further, the state legislatures would have no say, only a special convention of citizens in each state would vote upon the ratification of the Constitution. • What shocked readers was the amount of power states were giving up to a new federal government.

27. Anti-Federalists • Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, and Richard Lee lead the pro-states’ rights AF. • They feared that a strong central government would trample on the rights of common men. • Most AF were from the backcountry, not the coast. • Feared that a lack of a bill of rights would lead to tyranny. • Also feared the strength of a standing military.

28. Federalists • Washington, Franklin, and Madison lead the charge. • Federalists were generally wealthier, educated, and lived on the coast. • Important!: They control the press!!!

29. To the States • Del., NJ, and Pen. quickly ratify. • Geo. and Con. followed (5/9) • Mas. Was the first real test. AF lead by S. Adams put up quite a fight. • The main argument was for a bill of rights. • Narrowly Mas. ratified (6/9) • Mar., SC, and NH followed to ensure ratification (9/9). • But, with Vir. and NY missing the new nation would be weak.

30. Virginia • Virginia AF were lead by Henry, whose oratory skills convinced many of the evils of the Constitution. • Yet, with the 9 states already approving, Vir. couldn’t easily continue independent. Vir. ratifies (10/13).

31. The Federalists • NY was the last major hurdle. • To convince New Yorkers Hamilton, Madison and John Jay write a series of essays that are meant to persuade readers into joining the federalist camp. • Federalist 10 attacked the idea that a republic could not work on a large nation. • NY finally relented and ratified, but sent the new Congress 32 amendments (11/13). • NC and RI only ratified after the new nation was created, not because they wanted, but they could not exist independently.