Post on 30-Dec-2015
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In the Revolutionary era, Americans translated republican ideas into
practical governments on the local and national levels, but they were divided
over the relative importance of individual liberty and social order
The Republican Experiment
Defining Republican CultureAmericans were
divided over the relative importance of individual liberty and social order, the right of private property and the ideal of equality. A series of controversies resulted, shaping the governments created during and after the war for independence.
Living in the Shadow of RevolutionAmerican Revolution changed American
society in unexpected waysSocial and Political Reform
Changes in the laws of inheritanceMore liberal voting qualificationsBetter representation for frontier settlersSeparation of church and state
African Americans in the New RepublicDuring revolution they demanded the natural right to be
freeNorthern states responded by gradually abolishing
slaveryAbolition became a subject of serious debate in the south
Living in the Shadow of the Revolution Cont.
The Challenge of Women’s RightsWomen demanded the
natural right of equalityThey contributed to the
creation of a new society by raising children in households where the republican values of freedom and equality were practiced
Women became more assertive in divorcing and in opening their own businesses
But they were still denied their political and legal rights
Living in the Shadow of Revolution Cont. 2
Postponing Full LibertyRevolution did not
entirely abolish slavery or give equal rights to women
But it did introduce an ideology of freedom and equality that inspired future generations
The States: Experiments in Republicanism
Blueprints for State GovernmentPeople wanted written constitutions that would clearly define
the rights of the people and the limits of government powerThese constitutions were experiments that provided valuable
lessons that were used in constructing the central government
Natural Rights and the State ConstitutionsConstitutions guaranteed freedom of religion, speech, and
pressGovernors generally weakenedElected assemblies given the most power
Power to the PeopleConstitution had to be written by a convention specially
elected for that purposeIt had to ratified by a referendum of the peopleSome Americans thought the early state constitutions were
flawed and began to argue for a stronger central government
Articles of ConfederationJohn Dickinson presented a plan for a strong
national government in 1776, but it was rejected
He wanted to give all the land beyond the Appalachians to Congress and have each state get equal representation in Congress-large states rejected this proposal
After years of debate, the Continental congress drafted the Articles of ConfederationGave the central government virtually no power to
force the states to do anythingStates regarded the Articles with suspicion
Articles of Confederation Cont.Main delay in the
ratification of the Articles was the problem of ownership of the western lands
Maryland delayed ratification of the Articles until 1781, when Virginia agreed to renounce claims to the West
Other states followed Virginia’s example, and Congress wound up owning all the land west of the Appalachians
Northwest Ordinance: The Confederation’s Major Achievement
Jefferson’s planLand Ordinance of 1785The Ordinance created a new government for the
area north of the Ohio RiverThe Ordinance created a number of territories, each
headed by a Congress appointed governorPopulation in the territory increased. When
population reached 5,000, voters could elect an assembly. When it reached 60,000 they could write a constitution and apply for statehood.
The Ordinance also contained a bill of rights, and outlawed slavery
Strengthening Federal AuthorityThe Nationalist Critique
New Government had economic problems to deal withEmpty treasury, runaway
inflation, massive debtsCongress had no power to
tax so they could not fix the problems
Nationalists-Alexander Hamilton and James MadisonTried to give Congress
authority to collect “impost” on imported goods
Proposals raised immediate objections and failed to be put into action
Congress sank further in public esteemFailed to pay soldiers’
wagesNewburgh Conspiracy
Group of extreme nationalists plotted to use the army to establish a strong regime
Squelched by George Washington
Nationalists considered the Articles to have failed
Strengthening The Federal Authority, Cont. Diplomatic Humiliation
Congress was so weak that other nations insulted America without fearEngland kept troops on American soil after the peace
treatySpain closed New Orleans to American commerce
Jay-Gardoqui TreatyCongress sent John Jay to Madrid to solve the problemInstead Jay signed a treaty that ignored the problem
in Mississippi in exchange for commercial advantages benefiting the Northeast
People of West and South denounced treaty and forced Congress to reject it
“Have We Fought For This?”The Genius of James
MadisonNeeded a stronger
governmentMadison recast American
political ideas away from the dogma that only small republics could be free and democratic
This unprepossessing Virginian was the most brilliant American political thinker of his generation
Constitutional ReformShay’s Rebellion
Nationalists feared it was America’s slide into anarchy
Crisis atmosphere persuaded many Americans to support a strong, central government
Creating the ConstitutionFramers
Organizations and Procedure-working in Secrecy-A momentous Decision
“Resolved, …that a national Government ought to be established consisting of a supreme Legislative, Executive and Judiciary”
Virginia PlanProposed by James Madison of VirginiaConsisted of 15 ResolutionsDescribed the topics covered in the
resulting constitutionDrawback:
Representation determined by population. Government power given to the larger states. Smaller states (Delaware, Maryland,
New Jersey, and New York) found it too radical. On June 15 William Patterson of New Jersey presented the position of the
small states.
The New Jersey PlanOutlined the structure of the new federal
government
Call for two houses of Congress
Equal representation proportional to their population
CompromisesThe Connecticut Compromise
Two Houses-smaller Senate represented equally (2 per state) / House represented upon population.
The Three-Fifths CompromiseAll “free persons” should be counted and so, too,
should “three-fifths of all other persons”The Commerce and Slave Trade
CompromiseCongress was forbidden the power to tax the export
of good from any state. Also, it was forbidden to act on the slave trade for at least 20 years.
Whose Constitution? Struggle for RatificationFederalists and Antifederalists
Antifederalists-those who opposed the ConstitutionDistrusted any government removed from direct control of
the peopleSuspected the new constitution had been written o benefit
of the rich and powerfulFederalists
Supported by the news mediaWell organizedDelaware was the first to ratify the ConstitutionOnly states to not ratify the Constitution were North
Carolina and Rhode IslandAdding the Bill of Rights
Nationalists had to promise the Antifederalists that they would add a Bill of Rights