THE CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT

1. THE CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT

2. REVOLUTION’S EFFECTS IN SOCIAL REFORM • Greater freedom of religion • moves toward separation of church & state • states that continued to support religion apportioned funds • Titles of nobility denounced • Moves to abolish slavery • Military service earned freedom for some slaves • By 1780, abolished in Northern states with gradual emancipation laws (“manumission”) • All states prohibited importation of slaves • In South, all but GA & SC removed laws that kept owners from freeing slaves • So why not abolish slavery entirely?

3. REVOLUTION’S EFFECTS ON WOMEN • Small move toward increasing women’s legal rights • easier to get a divorce • BUT, really very small changes in male attitudes • Abigail Adams asks John to “remember the ladies” • Home front efforts during Rev. War increased their influence • More education for women because: • Republican gov’t demands well-educated citizenry • Their role in training next generation in republican values – “Republican Motherhood” Query: Was the American Revolution a strong social revolution?

4. GROWTH OFNATIONALISM: "E pluribus unum" • Resulting from shared sacrifices, wartime mobility of leaders & need to find common solutions to wartime problems • Manufacturing & interstate trade stimulated by war & encouraged pride in American self-sufficiency • National heroes from the War • This nationalism strengthened desire for distinct American culture • Noah Webster, speller / reader • John Trumbull, art

5. JOHN TRUMBULL PAINTINGS

6. State Republican Governments: • Most states had constitutions even before Dec. of Ind. • Evidenced a peaceful method for altering political systems • Why did many move their capitals westward? • All had: • elected legislatures where the power was concentrated • an executive branch, 1 yr terms, strong governors with veto power • Court systems • Most had Bill of Rights • Voters - still property owners/taxpayers

7. ARTICLES OFCONFEDERATION “A Firm League of Friendship” • Unicameral Congress • Only one branch • One vote per state • State sovereignty • Ratification & amendment requires all 13 states • Sent to states for approval in 1777; won’t get it until 1781 – Why? • Western land claims • Unanimous approval required • No power to tax • No executive branch • No federal courts • No power to regulate interstate commerce • No national currency • LACK OF A STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION: WEAKNESSES:

8. Western Land Claims Ceded by the States

9. LAND ORDINANCE ACT OF 1785 Purpose: sell off land to pay off the national debt Provided an orderly method to settle land N of the Ohio River by division into townships 6 miles square with 36 sections, 1 square mile each A major achievement of the Confederation! Provided first federal $ for public education (Sec. 16 proceeds went to public ed.)

11. NORTHWEST ORDINANCEOF 1787: • 5,000 citizens in a territory gives it territorial status – territorial legislatures • Once population of 60,000 persons reached, could then apply for statehood • Prohibited slavery north of Ohio River!

12. Economic Concerns • Loyalists’ property….supposed to be returned • Dependent on farming, British Navigation Acts really hurt American economy post independence • Able to trade with other nations, lucrative trade opens up with China and others • Debts from war, inflation, & speculation were problems during and after the war American Exports, To & From Britain: 1783-1789

13. THE CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT’S FOREIGN RELATIONS: • TREATYOF PARIS OF 1783 – • A major accomplishment! • RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN: • John Adams as foreign minister from U.S. / None from GB to U.S. – why not? • BR remaining in frontier military posts / fur trade • TRADE SUFFERS • New England excluded from West Indies; shipbuilding declines • British dump low-priced manufactured goods on American market • Why didn’t U.S. impose import restrictions on GB?

14. WITH SPAIN: • SPAIN WAS A “CO-BELLIGERENT,” NOT AN ALLY • CLAIMS U.S. BOUNDARIES ARE WRONG • CONTROLLED NEW ORLEANS & THREATENED WESTERN TRADE BY U.S. • WESTERNERS DEMAND “right of deposit” AT NEW ORLEANS • SPAIN REFUSES

15. Relations with France • U.S. is unable to repay war loans • France had expected commercial opportunities after the war … special trading status • Didn’t get it

16. PROBLEMS AMONG STATES: • States taxing goods from their neighbors • Congress had no power to regulate interstate commerce • Some states levied tariffs on British goods, so BR would just bring goods in through states that didn’t • Confederation Gov’t didn’t have authority to put national tariffs on BR goods - would have helped American economy (INFLATION!) & cash flow • Confederation Congress sought 5% tariff duty in 1781 – but required approval of all 13 states and… RI wouldn’t approve • No national currency so states issue their own: • print too much; values differed so not accepted outside state • Stay Laws for debtor relief

17. SHAY’S REBELLION – “Mobocracy” MA Farmers returning from War couldn’t pay taxes (60% increase) -jailed or their land confiscated Over 1200 rebelled by closing 2 Springfield, MA courts & then attacking arsenal MA appeals to Congress for help -- no power to do so Captain Daniel Shays & his regulars are ultimately defeated by a privately raised MA militia Significance: pointed out lack of authority, order & power of the Confederation Government Liberty Run Mad!

18. “There could be no stronger evidence of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders.” -- George Washington

19. ANNAPOLIS CONVENTION • 1785, reps from VA & MD meet in Mt. Vernon • Suggest conference in Annapolis of all states to discuss common problems of commerce • Only 5 states sent reps (not MD!) • Alexander Hamilton suggests Philadelphia Convention to revise Articles of Confederation ..and address all problems, not just commerce