The Confederation and the Constitution

1. The Confederation and the Constitution AP US HISTORY Mr. Long

2. Review • American Revolution was not a revolution of radical or total change: Other then government • Life went on as normal during fighting • 80,000 Loyalists exiting the colonies = new upper class • This paved the way for new ideology/culture to form. Changes in social customs, political institutions and ideas about society, government and even gender.

3. The Pursuit of equality • “All Men are created Equal” Declaration of Independence said this. • IS IT TRUE?

4. The Pursuit of equality • New ideas are forming about equality in this New Nation. • Social: • Voting was becoming more accessible (reduced property requirement) • Ordinary men and women called “Mr.” and “Mrs.” = reserved for elite in past • By 1800 servitude was virtually unknown = against democratic ideals • Aristocracy looked down upon: Society of Cincinnati = ridiculed • Inheritance laws done away with (primogeniture)

5. The Pursuit of equality • Religious: • Separation of church and state had notable gains • Congregationalists in NE still legal establishment • Anglican church disestablished; tainted by its ties to the British Crown • Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. 1786 promoted religious freedom

6. The Pursuit of equality • African Americans: • Quakers in PA founded first antislavery society in 1775 • Continental Congress called for complete abolition of the slave trade in 1774 • Several Northern states either abolished or gradually emancipated slaves • Law very discriminating towards blacks all over US • Why did abolition not go any further at this time? • The fight over slavery would have fractured the fragile national unity that was so desperately needed at the time • “Great as the evil (of slavery) is, a dismemberment of the union would be worse.” James Madison 1787

7. The Pursuit of equality • Women: • Republican Motherhood: the selfless devotion of a mother to her family. The very model of proper republican behavior. • Civic Virtue: Central to republican ideology it is the concept that democracy depended on the unselfish commitment of each citizen to the public good. • Women taking care of the traditional women’s work and raising a family with republican ideals was very important

8. Constitution making in the states • Continental Congress (1776) • Called for colonies to draft new constitutions • The Sovereignty of states would rest in the PEOPLE! • They had to capture the republican spirit on paper (Unlike Britain) • Common features (this made drafting federal constitution easier) • They were contracts that defined the powers of the government (not laws) • Gained authority from the people • Required annual elections (no absolute monarchs) • Included Bill of Rights (to preserve liberties) • Created weak executive and judicial. WHY? • Legislative branch given most power. WHY?

9. Economic Crosscurrents • The economic and social atmosphere as a whole was unhealthy after the Revolutionary War • Negatives: • Lost the British Market (huge) • Inflation • Debt from War • Profiteering created a new wealthy class • Positives: • Spread of economic democracy (crown lands broken down and spread) • Stimulus to manufacturing/industry due to war • Forced to b/c British wouldn’t supply • War always breeds this effect • Still mainly agricultural society though • New commercial outlets (foreign trade)

10. Shaky start toward union • The people now had to erect a new central government (There was nothing) • America is united in name only! (Very diverse thoughts) • No more common cause which brought about unity • What they had (Positives) • States had similar constitutions, mix of British ideas and homegrown self rule, and great political leaders (John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, etc)

11. First American Constitution • After the Revolution the sovereignty of the US lied with the states. • Articles of Confederation: “league of friendship” between the 13 colonies • Strong state governments • Weak central (national) government • Ratified March 1781

12. Articles of Confederation • Central Government • Unicameral (single-chamber) Legislature • When not in session gov ran by committee of states (1/state) • No Federal Court • Congress settled disputers amongst states (limited power) • Reps selected by state legislature (could recall them anytime)

13. Articles of confederation • Central Government Cont’d • Powers: • Make war/peace • Receive ambassadors • Make treaties • Raise/equip navy • Maintain army by asking states for troops • Appoint top military official • Fix weights and measures • Regulate Indian affairs • Set up post offices • Settle some state disputes

14. Articles of confederation • Central Government Cont’d • Weaknesses • Congress could not levy or collect tax • Each state collected taxes, didn’t have to give anything to national gov • Could not regulate trade • Congress could not enforce laws it passed, only ask for them to be followed • Laws needed 9/13 colonies approval (usually only 9 or 10 represented at congress) • 1 vote/state regardless of size • All states needed to agree to amend Articles • No executive branch • No national court (states interpreted laws)

15. Articles of confederation • Achievements • Established a fair and equal policy for settling and devolving the West (of Appalachian) (This was big issue) • This is the future of the nation b/c Land = wealth in agricultural society • Each state ceded its land claims to the central government • Ordinance of 1785 • Provided for surveying and division of territory • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • When territories reached a certain population they gained the same rights as original 13 states (Statehood) • No slavery in NW (farsighted thought)

16. The World’s Ugly Duckling • We had poor foreign relations at the onset of our nation. • British were bitter and refused to open commercial treaty and closed the profitable West Indies to the American merchant ships. • Also got Indians to start engagements on northern border. • Both parties violated the treaty of Paris • Spain closed the mouth of the Mississippi to Americans and used Indians against the Americans in the South (Florida Border: Yazoo Strip). • France demanded repayment of their loans from the war and restricted trade with the Americans

17. The Horrid Specter of anarchy • During the period in US history governed by the Articles of Confederation there were many disputes among states • EX: boundaries, debts, inflation, taxes, land takeovers to cover debt. • States were responsible for paying off their debts from Revolution. Large states could afford this but small states generally could not. • States placed heavy taxes on citizens. • Mass put 30% tax on farmers = foreclosures

18. Horrid specter of anarchy • Shays’s Rebellion (1786) • Group of impoverished farmers losing their farms through mortgage foreclosures and tax delinquencies led by Daniel Shays marched on Massachusetts court building demanding … • State issue money • Lighten taxes • Suspend property takeovers and prison terms with a STAY • Results: • Mass raised a small army and put down the mob • Showed people that a strong central gov was needed to handle such issues as currency, taxes, land disputes, courts, and protection of the people. = desire for stronger central gov • Growing fear of the “Mobacracy” or to much democracy!

19. A convention of “demigods” • Constitutional Convention: Philadelphia (May 1787) • Purpose: Revise Articles of Confederation • 55 Delegates from 12 states • Well respected individuals were elected by the state legislature to represent the states. (People chose legislature) • Many lawyers and experienced in writing state constitutions • George Washington presided over the convention • James Madison “Father of Constitution”: Virginia Plan • The Small private gathering allowed for compromise • Concerned about preserving the new nation then further stirring any pot of discontent that was brewing. • They wanted to curb the unstable revolutionary thoughts for a strong political system.

20. Hammering out the constitution • Many delegates wanted to completely get rid of Articles of Confederation and have a peaceful overthrow of the government. • Compromise will be key to holding this new nation together • (We will see this throughout our history as a nation)

21. Hammering out the compromise • Virginia Plan (Large State Plan) • KEY POINTS • Strong national legislature with 2 chambers based on population • Strong national executive chosen by legislature • National judiciary appointed by legislature • New Jersey Plan (Small State Plan) • KEY POINTS • Unicameral legislature, one vote/state (equal rep) • Congress had power to tax and regulate trade • Weak executive (no more than one person) • National judiciary with limited power to appoint executive

22. Hammering out the compromise • Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan) • KEY POINTS • House of Representatives would be based on population • Every tax bill or revenue measure must originate here • Senate would be equal representation

23. Hammering out the compromise • 3/5 Compromise • North did not want slaves to count towards representation because they were not legal citizens. Wanted them to count towards taxation though. • South wanted them to count towards representation but not towards taxes. • Compromise: slaves would count as 3/5 a person towards both. • Slave Trade • Most states wanted to shut off African slave trade, SC and Georgia did not. • Compromise: Congress could stop it at the end of 1807, which it did. • Slavery as a whole not really dealt with b/c keeping the weak union together was more important at this time to the framers then the slave issue.

24. The clash of federalists vs anti-federalists • The framers knew there would be controversy over this new document so it only took 9 states to ratify the Constitution and make it the “Supreme Law of the Land”

25. The clash of federalists vs anti-federalists Federalists Anti-Federalists Opposed the stronger central gov. Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, fiery revolutionists, poorer class Thought this was a plot of the upper class to steal back the power the common folk had won in revolution Sovereignty of states is being submerged and that the freedoms of the individual were jeopardized by the absence of a Bill of Rights • Supported stronger central government and Constitution • Ben Franklin, George Washington, wealthier pop, city dwellers, educated. • Controlled the press, had money and better organization. • Promised Bill of Rights • Ratified on June 21, 1788: but 4 states still holding out (Virginia/NY)

26. The four laggard states • NY and Virginia were the most important left, if they did not ratify it could spell the end of this new document • Large populations, wealthy • George Washington, James Madison and John Marshall all supported the Constitution and helped it pass in Virginia 89-79 • John Jay, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton all provided the push in NY • The Federalist Papers • Helped persuade the people of NY to ratify the Constitution

27. The Conservative Triumph • Now we have seen the minority triumph twice in these new United States • Revolutionary War • Constitution • But as the nation continues to grow we see we are still “United in name only”.