American revolution

The American RevolutionUnit Two

French, Spanish and English Settlers

● Each country had different motives and settlement patterns

● French- friendly relations with Indians (comparatively), tried to convert Natives to Christianity, came in small numbers, extractive economic activity (fur trade), explored deep into continent, Catholic, had economic motives

● Spanish- came to conquer (conquistador), looked for and found precious minerals, tried to convert Indians, blended their culture with Native culture, explored deep into continent to look for wealth, Catholic

● English- came in larger groups (especially NE), settled and “improved” land, more religiously tolerant, wiped out Indian culture, established their own “footprint”, did not explore deep into continent, mostly Protestant

The Duel for North America1608-1773

European Colonial Claims 1750

New France Fans Out

●French try to block British and Spanish expansion

●Detroit (1701), keep out British●LaSalle claims Mississippi River Valley for

France (Louisiana) ●French fortify posts along river to keep out

Spanish, protect beaver trade● Establish New Orleans (1718) to keep fur

and grain flowing to mother country, keep MS River from Spanish

Clash of Empires

●Four wars in the 17th and 18th century for economic control of Americas

●King Williams War 1688-1697, Queen Anne’s War 1701-1713

●Did not involve large numbers of troops, America not seen as worthy of commitment from European powers

●Usually involved French and Indian allies attacking English colonial settlements

●Deerfield, MA; Schenectady, NY scenes of most violence

Clash of Empires

● Treaty of Utrecht 1713 British defeat French● England controlled most of Canada except land along St. Lawrence

River● End of war begins period of “salutary neglect”● War of Jenkins Ear 1739 between British and Spanish, mostly in

Caribbean, some fighting in GA● King Georges War 1744-1748 Colonists and British capture fort at

entrance to St. Lawrence River● Peace treaty 1748 gives it back to France, enrages colonists● As a result of wars British military more involved in colonies

French and Indian War

● Ohio River Valley becomes source of problems between British, French

● Key to continent for French, linked colonial holdings

● Region key to economic security for French

● Land hungry British colonists attempt to secure “rights” to region

● French building forts to secure region


● 1754 Governor of VA sends group of militia to secure claims, led by George Washington

● Encounter small group of French soldiers near Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh)

● French initially defeated, return with reinforcements

● Washington forced to surrender● 1755 British authorities uproot

4,000 French from Nova Scotia, deportees end up in LA (Cajuns)

● Beginning of French and Indian War


●War began in America, others began in Europe

●England and Prussia vs. France, Spain, Austria, and Russia

●Bloodiest battles in Germany●“America conquered in Germany” British

statesman William Pitt●French and Indian War beginning of colonial

unity● Before certain colonies had enjoyed

advantage of remoteness, now needed to come together to fight French

Colonial Unity?

● 1754 Colonists meet Albany, NY

● Plan to keep Indians in check, achieve colonial unity, common defense against French

● 7 of 13 colonies show up● Ben Franklin “Join or Die”

slogan, presents Albany Plan for colonial home rule (rejected by British), colonists could not agree on details

● First sign of colonial unity


● Indians allied with French, worried about British settlement● First part of war went badly for British● Slow moving, heavy artillery● Poorly supplied, poorly disciplined colonial militia● Smaller French force defeated them at Ft. Duquesne

(Pittsburg)● Opened up frontier from NC to PA to Indian attack● Losses began to pile up for British


● 1757- William Pitt becomes leader of London gov’t

● Stopped concentrating on West Indies, focused on Canada

● Understood colonial concerns● Offered colonists a compromise:● colonial loyalty & mil. cooperation-->Br.

would reimburse col. assemblies for their costs.

● Remove oppressive gov’t. officials● Result was improved colonial morale by

1758● 1758 Louisbourg defeated● 1760 Montreal falls, last French stronghold ● 1763 Treaty of Paris French give up all

claims in NA● Spain received all land west of MS River

and New Orleans● British emerged as dominant regional

power, worlds most powerful navy

Aftermath of War

Effects of the war on the coloniesColonists

●came out of war confident, shattered myth of British invincibility

●Colonists began to feel part of British Empire●Barriers of disunity began to dissolve between

colonies●Colonists found unity in language, tradition, ideals●Colonials felt they deserved credit for war effort

British position ●colonists demand rights, without paying dues, war

increased British debt●British said they did not support cause●Friction between colonials and British officers●Smuggling by colonists helped FR and SP

Aftermath of War

● With French gone colonists could roam freely across Appalachian Mts.

● Spanish, Indian threat reduced● Indians could not play Br and Fr against each other●1763 Ottawa chief Pontiac led attacks on settlers● British retaliated (gave Indians smallpox infected

blankets)● British saw need to stabilize frontier now that it

was open to settlement

Aftermath of War

Proclamation of 1763● Prohibited settlement

west of Appalachian Mts.

● Designed not to oppress colonists but to solve Indian problem

● Colonists viewed it as form of oppression

● Settlers went west anyway in defiance of royal authority

The Road to Revolution

1763-1775

Roots of Revolution

● Victory in Seven Years War costly● After 1763 British wanted colonists to take on

financial burden● Crown began to exercise more authority (end of

salutary neglect)● Change in policy reinforced sense of American

identity● American experience caused colonists to question

ways of the Old World, colonists felt fundamentally different from British

● Americans had grown accustomed to running own affairs, shock when British try to crack down

● Two ideas emerged in Britain during colonial experience- republicanism, ideas of Whigs

Political Roots of Revolution

Republicanism▪ Society where citizens

subordinate selfish interests to common good

▪ Stability of government depended on authority of “good” government

▪ Opposed to authoritarian institutions (monarchy, aristocracy)

Whig Political ThoughtResult of more royal

authority✓ Threat to liberty by

monarch✓ Warned citizens to be on

guard against corruption✓ People should be

represented by elected officials, not monarchs

Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances

● British authorities embraced policy of mercantilism (countries wealth measured by gold and silver, needed to export more than import, colonies needed to supply mother country with raw materials)

● Colonists felt if handcuffed American trade● Colonies provided raw materials, acted a market for

finished products● Enumerated goods, certain products could only be

shipped to England● To the British the Americans were tenants, not built for

economic self sufficiency or self government

Merits and Menace of Mercantilism

Merits of MercantilismBritish tried to regulate colonial trade (Navigation Acts 1660,

1663, 1673, 1696)● Before 1763 Navigation Laws (with some exceptions)

not a burden, lack of enforcement called “salutary neglect”

● Tobacco planters had a monopoly in Britain ● Americans had some form self-government. ● British mightiest army and navy in the world,

colonists didn’t have to pay for it. ● Repressive laws weren’t enforced much, average

American benefited much more than the average Englishman.

● Mistakes that occurred didn’t occur out of malice, at least until revolution.

● France and Spain embraced mercantilism, enforced it heavily.

Merits and Menace of Mercantilism

Menace of Mercantilism▪ After enforcement of mercantilist policies “

lit” fuse of revolution ▪ Stifled economic initiative▪ Dependent on British agents and creditors▪ State of perpetual economic adolescence▪ The South, which produced crops that

weren’t grown in England, was preferred over the North

▪ Colonists felt British were taking advantage of them

Colonial Grievances

Currency shortage in colonies● Regularly bought more than they sold to Britain, trade

with West Indies drained cash● Colonies needed hard currency● Parliament prohibited colonies to print money, they did

anyway● Colonists saw interests being sacrificed for British

commercial interests● British also could nullify any colonial legislation (did not

happen often)● Principle weighed more heavily than practice

The Stamp Tax

● Half of British debt came from Seven Years War, wanted colonists to pay for own defense

● Britain began to redefine relationship with colonies

● 1763- Prime Minister George Greenville began to enforce Navigation Acts

● 1764- Parliament passed Sugar Act- duty on imported sugar

● 1765- Quartering Act, required certain colonies to provide food and lodging troops

The Stamp Tax

●1765 worst of all the Stamp Act●Mandated the use of stamps, certifying

payment of tax. ●Required on bills of sale for about 50 trade

items and on certain types of commercial and legal documents.

●Both the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act offenders tried in the admiralty courts, where defenders were guilty until proven innocent

●Greenville felt taxes were justified, British paid much heavier tax

The Stamp Tax

● Colonists angry at fiscal aggression● Colonial assemblies refused to provide

supplies for troops● Felt unfairly taxed for unnecessary

army, lashed out against the stamp tax. ● Americans formed the battle cry, “No

taxation without representation!” ● Angered, to the principle of the matter ● Americans denied the right of

Parliament to tax Americans, since none were in Parliament.

● British idea of “virtual representation,” every Parliament member represented all British subjects (so Americans were represented).

● Americans rejected “virtual representation”, began to consider political independence

Repeal of the Stamp Act

●1765- Stamp Act Congress drew up statement of rights and grievances, asked king and Parliament to repeal tax

●Congress made colonies feel unified against common cause

●Colonists began to boycott imported British goods, more effective than congress

● Ordinary people began to participate in colonial protests, opportunity for women “spinning bees”

Repeal of the Stamp Act

● Sons and Daughters of Liberty took the law into their own hands

● Punished people who purchased British goods, stormed the houses of important officials

● Machinery to collect tax broke down, no officials to collect taxes

● Hit England hard (25% of exports purchased by colonies)

● Parliament confused, Britons had to pay much heavier taxes

● 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, passed the Declaratory Act, defined British had unqualified sovereignty over the colonies

The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston Massacre

● Americans in rebellious mood after victory over Stamp Act

● 1767 Parliament passes the Townshend Acts● Taxes on lead, paper, paint, and

tea, later repealed, except tea. ● Revenue to pay salaries of royal

officials in America● 1767- New York’s legislature

suspended for failure to comply with the Quartering Act.

● Tea became smuggled, to enforce the law, Brits had to send troops to America

The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston Massacre

● March 5, 1770, a crowd of about 60 townspeople in Boston were harassing some ten Redcoats. ○ One fellow got hit in the head,

another got hit by a club. ○ Without orders but heavily

provoked, the troops opened fire, wounding or killing eleven “innocent” citizens, including Crispus Attucks, a black former-slave and the “leader” of the mob in the Boston Massacre. Attucks became a symbol of freedom (from slave, to freeman, to martyr who stood up to Britain for liberty).

○ Only two Redcoats were prosecuted, represented by John Adams

Committees of Correspondence

●1770- Townshend Taxes repealed, except for the tea tax, kept alive idea of parliamentary taxation

●1772- Resistance kept alive through Committees of Correspondence, organized by Samuel Adams

●1773- Inter-colonial committees established, exchanged letters, ideas and information, kept alive opposition across all colonies

Boston Tea Party

● 1773- British East India Company, overburdened with unsold tea, was facing bankruptcy.

● The British decided to sell it to the Americans,

● Seen as an attempt to trick the Americans with the bait of cheaper tea to pay tax.

● December 16, 1773, some whites, led by patriot Samuel Adams, disguised themselves as Indians, opened 342 chests and dumped the teainto the ocean in this “Boston Tea Party.” ○ People in Annapolis did the same and

burnt the ships to water level. ○ Reaction was varied, from approval to

outrage to disapproval.● British felt they had no

alternative but to whip colonists into shape

Intolerable Acts

● 1774- Parliament passed a series of repressive acts to punish the colonies, namely Massachusetts.

● Called the Intolerable Acts by Americans. ○ The Boston Port Act closed the harbor in Boston. ○ Self-government limited by forbidding town hall meetings without

approval. ○ The charter to Massachusetts was revoked

● The Quebec Act ● Intended by British to administer conquered territory

○ Guaranteed Catholicism to the French-Canadians, retain their old customs, extended the old boundaries of Quebec all the way to the Ohio River (areas off limits by Proclamation of 1763)

○ Americans saw their territory threatened, aroused anti-Catholics, lack of representative assemblies or trial by jury seen as a dangerous precedent, land speculators see huge area taken away

Bloodshed

❑ Philadelphia 1774- First Continental Congress met to discuss problems. ❑ Not wanting independence yet, came up with

a list of grievances, ignored in Parliament. ❑ 12 of 13 colonies met, only Georgia didn’t

have a representative there. ❑ Came up with a Declaration of Rights.❑ Boycott of British goods❑ Began to arm colonists

● Split into three groups- moderates (wanted relationship with GB repaired) radicals (wanted complete split, minority) and conservatives (wanted to restore pre-1763 relationship)

Bloodshed

● The “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” ○ April 1775, the British

commander in Boston sent troops to nearby Lexington and Concord, seize supplies, capture Sam Adams and John Hancock.

○ Minutemen, after having eight of their own killed at Lexington,fought back at Concord, British retreat to Boston

○ Beginning of American Revolution

Imperial Strength and Weakness

Britain had heavy advantage: ● 7.5 million people to America’s 2 million● superior naval power● great wealth, could hire mercenaries (German Hessians)British Weaknesses● Little popular support in Britain● Whigs wanted American victory, feared George III arbitrary

rule● Generals poor, soldiers well trained● Provisions scarce● Fighting far from home● American geography, lack of population centers gave

Americans time, British fits

American Pluses and Minuses

American Advantages ● Great leaders -George Washington (giant general), and Ben

Franklin (smooth diplomat). ● French aid (indirect and secretly), provided the Americans

with guns, supplies, gunpowder, etc… ○ Marquis de Lafayette a great asset.

● Fighting in a defensive manner, and they were self-sustaining. ● They were better marksmen. A competent American rifleman

could hit a man’s head at 200 yards. ● Americans enjoyed the moral advantage in fighting for a just

cause

American Pluses and Minuses

Disadvantages ● Lacking in unity

1. Colonies resented the Continental Congress’ attempt at exercising power

2. Sectional jealousy over the appointment of military leaders ● Americans had little money. Inflation also hit families of

soldiers hard, and made many people poor.● Colonial money worthless, inflation of prices for basic goods ● Americans had no navy. ● Many people also sold items to the British, because they paid

in gold. ● Many people just didn’t care about the revolution, raising a

large number of troops was difficult

America Secedes from the Empire

1775-1783

I. Congress Drafts George Washington

● May 1775 all colonies meet 2nd Continental Congress

● No well defined sentiment for independence

● Adopted measures to raise money for army and navy, sent list of grievances to George III

● Most important action was selecting George Washington as military commander (moral force, great military mind)

● Selection largely political , from VA, most revolutionaries from New England area

Military Strategies

The Americans• Attrition [the Brits had a

long supply line].• Guerilla tactics [fight an

insurgent war → you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down]

• Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies.

The British• Break the colonies in half

by getting between the No. & the So.

• Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally.

• “Divide and Conquer” → use the Loyalists.

II. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings, Abortive Conquest of Canada

● Americans fighting war, but did not declare independence for a 15 month period ( April 1775- July 1776)

● 1775 Americans capture Ft. Ticonderoga, get gunpowder and cannons

● June 1775 Bunker Hill American hold off British attack until gunpowder runs out

● August 1775 King George formally proclaims colonies were in rebellion, begins to hire German (Hessian) troops, Americans were guilty of treason

● Fall 1775 British capture Falmouth, Maine, Americans plan attack on Canada, they are not successful

III. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense

● 1776- Thomas Paine published the pamphlet Common Sense, urged colonials to stop war of inconsistency, stop pretending loyalty, and just fight.

● Nowhere in the universe did a smaller body control a larger one, it was unnatural for tiny Britain to control gigantic America.

● He called King George III “the Royal Brute of Great Britain.”

V. Paine and the Idea of Republicanism

● Idea that there should be a “republic” where representative senators, governors, and judges should have their power from the consent of the people (POWER FLOWS FROM PEOPLE TO THE GOV’T)

● Ideas with Biblical imagery, familiar to common folk.

● Rejecting monarchy and empire and embrace an independent republic fell on receptive ears in America, ideas already existed. ○ The New Englanders already practiced this type

of government in their town meetings. ● Some patriots, favored a republic ruled by a

“natural aristocracy” (John Adams), thought too much liberty would destroy social order (runaway republicanism)

VI. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence

● 2nd Continental Congress gradually moved toward a clean break with Britain.

● June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee urged for complete independence, adopted on July 2, 1776.

● Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson to write Declaration of Independence. ○ Contained a list of grievances against King George III explaining why the

colonies had the right to revolt. ○ His “explanation” of independence also upheld the “natural rights” of

humankind (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). ● Congress approved it on July 2nd, but because of editing and final approval, it

was not completely approved until July 4th, 1776.

VII. Patriots and Loyalists

● War within a war, not all colonials were united. ● Patriots, who supported rebellion and were called

“Whigs.” ● Loyalists, who supported the king and who often

went tobattle against fellow Americans, also called “Tories.”

● Moderates in the middle and those who didn’t care either way. These people were constantly being asked to join one side or another.

● British proved that they could only control Tory areas, because when Redcoats packed up and left other areas, the rebels would regain control

● Patriots good at political reeducation, agents of revolutionary ideas


● Typical Loyalist (Tory) ● Generally conservatives,

educated, older, war divided families

● Loyalists were most numerous where the Anglican Church was strongest (the South).

● Loyalists were less numerous in New England, where Presbyterianism and Congregationalism flourished.

● Loyalists were more numerous in the aristocratic areas such as Charleston, SC

● From places where business and commercial ties were strong with England


● Typical Patriot ● The Patriots were generally the

younger generation (Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry)

● From places where self-government was strong and mercantilism weak or contested

● The Patriot militias constantly harassed small British detachments.

● Patriots typically didn’t belong to the Anglican Church (Church of England) but were Congregational, Presbyterian, Baptist, or Methodist.

● There were also “profiteers” who sold to the highest bidder, selling to the British and ignoring starving, freezing soldiers (i.e. George Washington at Valley Forge).

VIII. The Loyalist Exodus

● After the Declaration of Independence, Loyalists and Patriots sharply divided

● Patriots often confiscated Loyalist property to resell it (an easy way to raise money)

● Loyalists attacked and harassed, no reign of terror like France or Russia

● 50,000 Loyalists served the British in one way or another (fighting, spying, etc…), British did not make enough use of them

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [1775-1776]

Bunker Hill (June, 1775)

The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Phase II:

NY & PA[1777-1778]

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War?

Britain’s Southern Strategy

● Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South.

● Southerners not as vocal in support of Revolution, thought it might inspire slave revolt

● Southern resources more valuable/worth preserving.

● British win small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!]

● Georgia 1778-1779, Charleston, SC 1780

● Carolinas, Patriots bitterly fought their Loyalist neighbors.

● 1781, rebel victories King’s Mountain, Cowpens in NC

● Quaker- reared Gen. Nathanael Greene strategy of delay. ○ Retreating and losing battles but

winning campaigns, clear the British out of most of Georgia and South Carolina.

XII. The Land and Sea Frontier

● 1777 -the “bloody year” on the frontier● Most Indians supported Britain, believed they

would stop American expansion into the West● Mohawk chief Joseph Brant, recently converted to

Anglicanism, and his men attacked the backcountry of Pennsylvania & New York defeated 1779.

● 1784, pro-British Iroquois signed the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, the first treaty between the U.S. and an Indian nation.

● Indians ceded most of their land. ● Pioneers continued to move west ● 1778-1779 George Rogers Clark, captured

British forts ● American navy never really hurt the British

warships, but it did destroy British merchant shipping, carried the war into the waters around the British Isles.

● Privateers captured ships forced them to sail in convoys.

IX. REVOLUTION IN DIPLOMACY?

● France wanted revenge on Britain, secretly supplied the Americans throughout much of the war.

● Continental Congress sent delegates to France; delegates were guided by a “Model Treaty” sought no political/military connections, only commercial ones.

● Ben Franklin, American diplomat to France, exemplified a raw new America

● After Saratoga (1777), the British offered the Americans a measure that gave them home rule—everything they wanted except independence.

IX. REVOLUTION IN DIPLOMACY?

● After Saratoga, France enters war against Britain. ● If Britain regained control, might then try to capture

the French West Indies for compensation ● Did not want to risk a stronger Britain with its

reunited colonies. ● France, 1778, offered a treaty of alliance, offering

Americaeverything that Britain had offered, plus recognition of independence.

● The Americans accepted agreement with caution, France was pro-Catholic, but since the Americans needed help, they’d take it.

● Official recognition of American independence by European power

● 1779 Other European powers (Armed Neutrality) join war against Britain, can’t handle them all

XI. Blow and Counterblow

●Britain, decided to evacuate Philadelphia, concentrate forces in New York, Washington bottled up British in NY

●1780 –French reinforcements arrive in Rhode Island.

●Feeling unappreciated and lured by British gold, Gen. Benedict Arnold turned traitor by plotting with the British to sell out West Point.

●When the plot was discovered, he fled with the British.

XIII. Yorktown and the Final Curtain

● 1780-1781 inflation continued to soar, government was virtually bankrupt, could not repay debts

● In the Chesapeake Cornwallis was blundering into a trap

○ Retreating to Chesapeake Bay Cornwallis instead was trapped by Washington’s army, Rochambeau’s French army, and the French navy

● King George wanted to continue the war, fighting continued for about a year after Yorktown mostly in the south

● Patriot/ Loyalist fighting● Washington had to keep army

happy, unified for next year after war

XIV. Peace at Paris

● Brits were weary of the war, suffered heavily● Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay met in Paris for a peace deal. ● Jay suspected France would try to keep the U.S. cooped up east of the

Alleghenies and keep America weak. ● Jay, thinking that France would betray American ambition to Spain, secretly

made separate overtures to London (against instructions from Congress) ● Came to terms quickly with the British, who were eager to entice one of their

enemies from the alliance. ● The Treaty of Paris of 1783

○ Britain formally recognized U.S. granted generous boundaries, Mississippi River to thewest, Great Lakes on the north, Spanish Florida on the South.

○ Yankees retained a share in fisheries off Newfoundland. ○ Americans couldn’t persecute Loyalists, though, and Congress could only

recommend legislature that would return or pay for confiscated Loyalist land.

○ Did not keep obligation to Loyalists

XV. A New Nation Legitimized

● Britain ceded so much land because it was trying to entice America from its French alliance.

● American-friendly Whigs were in control of the Parliament

● France approved the treaty, though with cautious eyes.

● America came out the big winner

Building the New Nation

The Confederation and the Constitution

1776-1790

Chapter 9

Quick Write Questions

● Analyze the role and influence of each of the following in the debate about ratification: Anti-federalists and the Federalist Papers

● Compare and contrast the views of Jefferson and Hamilton while they were members of Washington’s cabinet, discuss at least two specific differences

● Discuss American’s foreign policy, formulated by

Washington and Adams, which had as its goal the avoidance of war. Include in your answer the Jay Treaty, Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality and the XYZ Affair.

I. The Pursuit of Equality

●More evolution than revolution●Most not disturbed by fighting●Changes in social customs, political

institutions, ideas about society, government and gender

●Loyalist exodus removed conservative upper class, allowed for more egalitarian ideas

●New patriot elite emerges

The“Virtuou

sRepublic

”

Classical view

of a model

republic“City on a

hill”[John

Winthrop]

Ideal citizen

[Cincinnatu s]

1. Govt. gets its authority from the citizens.

2. A selfless, educated citizenry.

3. Elections should be frequent.4. Govt. should guarantee

individual rights & freedoms.5. Govt.’s power should be

limited [checks & balances].6. The need for a written

Constitution.7. “E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of

many, one”]8. An important role for women

→ raise good, virtuous citizens.[“Republican Womanhood”].

EnlightenmentThinking

I. Pursuit of Equality

● After Revolution, most states reduced property qualifications for voting

● By 1800 indentured servitude unknown● Growth of trade organizations, removal of inheritance laws

(primogeniture) ● The fight for separation of church and state resulted in

notable gains. ● Congregational church continued to be legally established

(tax supported) by some New England states● Anglican Church, reformed as the Protestant Episcopal

Church● Fight for separation fierce in VA, Virginia Statute of Religious

Freedom (1786)


● Challenges to institution of slavery

● 1775 Quakers est. first antislavery society

● 1774 Continental Congress called for abolition of slave trade

● Many northern states called for abolition or gradual emancipation

● No state south of Penn. abolished slavery

● Laws discriminated against free blacks and slaves (jobs, education, marriage)

● Idealism of freedom sacrificed for political expediency, fight would fracture national unity


● Women still were unequal to men, even though some had served (disguised as men) in the Revolutionary War.

● Achievements for women such as New Jersey’s 1776 constitution which allowed women to vote (for a time).

● Mothers devoted to their families developed idea of “republican motherhood” , elevated women to higher status, keepers of the nation’s conscience

● Women raised the children, held the future of the republic in their hands

II. Constitution Making in the States

● 1776- Continental Congress called upon states to draft constitutions, form governments ○ Sovereignty would come from people, contracts defined powers of government○ States had written documents that represented a fundamental law. ○ Many had a bill of rights, required annual election of legislators. ○ All of them deliberately created weak executive and judicial branches, distrust of

central power ○ In most states, the legislative branch given sweeping powers

● Massachusetts- special convention to draft its constitution, could only be changed through another constitutional convention.

● Thomas Jefferson, warned “173 despots [in legislature] would surely be as oppressive as one.”

● Many state capitals followed the migration of the people and moved westward ( New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia)

● Movement reflected recently enfranchised poorer districts away from seaports

III. Economic Crosscurrents

● After war states seized Loyalist, crown lands

● Easily available land spread economic democracy, this preceded political democracy

● Inflation was a problem● Many worse off financially ● War caused dislike of taxes and law● War caused American

manufacturers to make their own goods (British trade cut off)

● America remained agriculturalist by a large degree.

● Prior to war, Americans had great trade with Britain, and now they didn’t, could now trade with foreign countries, a privilege they didn’t have before.

● Yankee shippers ventured into far off places (East Asian markets)

IV. Shaky Start Toward Union

● Revolution caused responsibility of creating and operating new central government

● America more a name than nation● New patriot elite open to ideas of experimentation and

innovation in government● Revolution provided opportunity for Washington, Madison,

Jefferson, Hamilton, and John Adams, became great political leaders

● 1784-1786- low point for new republic● British flood Americas with cheap goods, American industry

suffered● However, the states all did share similar constitutions, had a

rich political inheritance from Britain

V. Creating a Confederation

●13 sovereign states coined money, raised armies, erected tariff barriers

●1777-Articles of Confederation adopted●1781- ratified by all states ●Main problem- what to do with western

lands?● Some states had holdings west of Allegheny

Mts., some did not●Land rich could sell off land to pay debts,

others had to tax heavily to raise revenue

V. Creating a Confederation

● States eventually surrendered land to central government

● Used to make future states

● Result was that it bonded union to central authority

● Pioneers bought land from federal government, benefit to nation

● Weakened state powers

VI. Articles of Confederation: America’s First Constitution

●Loose confederation, acted together to deal with common problems (foreign defense)A. No executive, judiciary left up to statesB. Each state one voteC. Hard to amendD. No power to regulate commerce, states had

different trade lawsE. No power to tax, states paid what they wanted

●National government could not control states●Positives of Confederation- Outlined general

powers of government, provided idea of union

VII. Landmarks in Land Law

● Congress of Confederation passed farsighted legislation, dealt with public domain of Old Northwest

Land Ordinance of 1785 1. land sold to settlers to pay

public debt2. land surveyed before sale

and settlement, led to orderly settlement

3. sixteenth section set aside to benefit education

VII. Landmarks in Land Laws

Northwest Ordinance 1787● Dealt with how to govern new territoryA.Congress appointed 3 judges & a governor to

govern the territory.B.When population reached 5,000 adult male

landowners elect territorial legislature.C.When population reached 60,000 elect delegates

to a state constitutional convention, with all privileges of other states

D.Forbid slavery in Old NorthwestE.Ideas carried to other frontier areas

VIII. World’s Ugly Duckling

●British- refused to repeal navigation laws, closed trade to US in the West Indies

●Along northern frontier held trading posts on US soil, agitated Indians that kept US from effectively settling territory

●British justified action because Americans failed to keep promises about debts and Loyalists

●Some wanted to impose restrictions on British imports but Congress could not control imports


● Spain- openly unfriendly to US

● 1784- Closed MS River, people in KY, TN and Old Northwest could not ship goods

● Claimed large area of territory granted to US by British

● Schemed with and agitated Indians to be hostile with US settlers


●France demanded payment of debts, restricted trade with West Indies

●Pirates of North African States (Barbary States) took American ships, enslaved Yankee sailors

●America too poor to bribe officials to get release of sailors

●Too weak to stop them

VIII. The Horrid Specter of Anarchy

●1780’s ability of national government to collect money was limited

●Interest on debt piling up, nation’s credit evaporating abroad

●States had trade disagreements, levying duties on goods from neighbors, states issued depreciated paper currency

●Problems came to a head in Shay’s Rebellion in 1786


● 1786- Farmers in western Mass. losing farms to taxes and foreclosure

● Daniel Shay’s led group of agitators to enforce demands

● Mass. authorities raise army and put down rebellion

● After rebellion legislature passes debt relief laws


●Rebellion terrified propertied classes●Revolution created monster of “mobocracy”●Stronger central government needed●Conservatives wanted to protect position,

property●Debtors, poorer people wanted feared powerful

central government (would have to pay debts)●All groups agree need to change, question was

how?●How would nationalists and states rightists be

reconciled?

IX. A Convention of Demigods

●1786- Convention called in Ananapolis, MD to figure out what to do about interstate commerce

●5 of 13 states show up, could not do anything to solve problem

●Alexander Hamilton asked Congress to call a convention to rework the Articles

●Congress reluctant, states elect delegates anyway

IX. A Convention of Demigods

● Only Rhode Island did not send delegates

●May 1787- 55 delegates meet in Philadelphia

● George Washington leader, Ben Franklin elder statesman

● Washington legitimized convention

● Sessions held in secret● James Madison, age 36,

known as father of Constitution, profound student of government

● Alexander Hamilton, 32, advocate of super powerful central government

X. Patriots in Philadelphia

●55 delegates●Conservative, wealthy (lawyers, merchants,

land speculators)●Young- avg. age 42●19 owned slaves●Nationalists, wanted stable political structure●Central authority needed genuine power●Wanted to preserve union, protect property

from “mobocracy”, curb unrestrained democracy

●Wanted central government to control nation, international commerce

XI. Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises

● Began to completely scrap Articles● Overthrow existing government by peaceful means● Large state plan vs. small state plan over

representation in legislative branch● Deadlock broken by Great Compromise ( 2 house

legislature on represented by population, one all representation equal)

● Executive branch created, but power check by legislative branch

● Indirect method of electing president (prevented unrestrained democracy)

XI. Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises

Sectional ProblemsHow to count slaves?● 3/5 Compromise- gave southern states more power

(counted slaves as 3/5 of citizen) How to control trade?● North – Congress should be able to regulate foreign and

interstate trade● South – Thought Congress would tax exports (goods sold to

other countries)● South sold agricultural products to other countries, would

cost them $$$● South worried Congress would stop slaves from coming to

US● In a compromise, the southern states agreed that Congress

could regulate trade as long as they would not tax exports, interfere with the slave trade before 1807

XII. Safeguards for Conservatism

● All at convention agreed, needed stronger central government, sound monetary policy, protection of private property, manhood suffrage

● Put up safeguards to excesses of mob● Federal judges selected for life, indirect election of

president, senate● Only House of Representatives elected by people● Power based on consent of people, government limited

by written constitution● People guarantee liberty, not the government

XIII. Clash of Federalists and Antifederalists

● Framers knew it would be hard to ratify Constitution

● Plan was once 9 states ratify it became law of the land

● Many surprised at new constitution, saw power of states swallowed up

●Antifederalists- against stronger federal government, distrust form colonial experience

● Wanted states rights, typically backcountry people, poorer classes, saw Constitution as plan to steal their power

● Insisted on Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms

●Federalists- from settled areas, wealthier, better educated, controlled established press

XIV. The Great Debate in the States

●Special Elections held in states●Small states quickly ratify constitution●Mass. First real challenge, many suspicious of

government power, worried about absence of Bill of Rights

●Federalists said this would be taken care of and it passed

XV. The Four Laggard States

● VA fierce opposition, but realized it could not continue as an independent state

● NY Series of articles published, The Federalist Papers, seen as propaganda, became the best commentary ever written on Constitution

● They presented reasons why each provision of the Constitution was necessary, written by Madison, Hamilton and Jay

● James Madison, Federalist No. 10, refuted conventional wisdom that republican government was not possible in large territory

● NY shortly afterward ratified● NC, RI always centers of individualism ratified in the end● All four states realized they could not make it on their own

XVI. A Conservative Triumph

●Minority won twice- 1. Revolution to get rid of British2. Peaceful revolution to overthrow government (under Articles)

●Only ¼ of adult males had property to vote●Conservatism had erected safeguards against

mob rule, republican gains of revolution conserved, federalists restored economic and political stability

●Every branch of government represented by the people (though indirectly in some cases), self limiting system of checks and balances

●Reconciled conflicting principles of liberty and order

●Elevated ideals of Revolution and set boundaries on them

Launching the New Ship of State

1789-1800Chapter 10

I. Growing Pains

● Over a twelve year period Americans got rid of British rule and established a central ruling authority they viewed as a necessary evil

● New government had enormous debt, worthless paper money and unlimited potential

●1789- population doubling every 25 years, coastal cities growing (Philadelphia, NY, Boston, Charleston)

● 90% rural, 5% lived west of Appalachian Mts. Most in KY,TN, OH

● Foreign visitors looked down on Americans● Western US territory- Spanish controlled mouth

of MS River, British agents moved about the Old Northwest stirring up trouble

II. Washington for President

● George Washington unanimously drafted as president by Electoral College

● Commanded by strength of character, not as a politician

● Established cabinet (not specifically mentioned in Constitution)

● Three departments (War- Henry Knox, Treasury- Alexander Hamilton, Sec. of State- Thomas Jefferson)

III. The Bill of Rights

● Antifederalists were promised Bill of Rights during ratification

● James Madison drafted them and pushed them through Congress

● 1791- ratified, safeguarded basic American principles (freedom of religion, speech, assembly, petition, right to trial by jury, protection from cruel and unusual punishment and arbitrary seizure of private property by the government)

● Ninth Amendment protected states rights, Tenth Amendment gave all rights not specified to the states

● First Congress established federal courts, office of Attorney general and Supreme Court (John Jay first chief justice)

IV. Hamilton Revives the Corpse of Public Credit

● Key figure in Washington’s government – Alexander Hamilton

● Loyalty questioned to America (America was his adopted country)

● Main rival Thomas Jefferson● Hamilton a financial wizard, shaped fiscal policies to favor

wealthier groups● First objective- restore national credit● Wanted government to pay off debts at face value plus

interest● Raised revenue by selling bonds, raising excise taxes and

tariffs● Wanted Congress to assume debts of states, would chain

states to federal government● States with heaviest debt were happy● VA not happy with plan, made deal that if federal government

assumed debts they would get federal district for future nations capital

V. Hamilton Battles Jefferson for a Bank

●Hamilton proposed Bank of the United States

●Private institution, major stockholder US government

●Treasury would deposit surplus monies in bank

●Federal funds would stimulate business, print money for sound, stable national currency

●Was it constitutional?

V. Hamilton Battles Jefferson for a Bank

● Jefferson against it, no specific authorization in Constitution, saw those powers reserved for the states (strict construction)

● Hamilton believed what Constitution did not forbid it permitted, invoked necessary and proper clause (loose construction)

● Hamilton prevailed, most support for the bank in northern commercial and financial centers, agricultural south opposed bank

● 1791- Bank chartered for 20 years, stock was put on sale and it sold out in less than 2 hours

VI. Mutinous Moonshiners in Pennsylvania

●1794- Whiskey Rebellion flares in Penn. Over excise tax on whiskey

● Whiskey was not a luxury but a medium of exchange, easier to transport as liquid than raw corn

● Distillers defied taxes and tax collectors, brought collection to a halt

● Washington called out militia of several states and put down rebellion

● Showed the force of the federal government in stop insurrection, if citizens wanted change they needed to do it peacefully, constitutionally

VII. The Emergence of Political Parties

● Hamilton’s fiscal feats put the US on sound financial ground

● We could borrow funds from European countries on good terms

● Financial schemes seen as an infringement on states rights by some

● Opposition began to build, rivalry between Hamilton and Jefferson became a political rivalry

● Founders did not predict political parties, thought it would disrupt national unity

● Formal parties a few years off in 1790’s● Jefferson and Madison opposed programs of

Hamilton, newspapers spread their political message and political parties began to emerge

● Competition for power good for democracy, creates balance, no group gets too much power

VIII. Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

●French Revolution scared many Americans●By mid-1790’s France entered war with

British●French wanted US to help defend West

Indies●D-R’S favored alliance●Washington wanted to avoid war, US too

weak, politically not united●1793- Neutrality Proclamation- first

formal declaration of aloofness from European conflicts, US policy until 20th century

VIII. Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

● Citizen Genet- French diplomat, tried to raise armies to invade Spanish FL and LA, also BR Canada

● Did not think neutrality reflected true wishes of Americans

● Genet removed from US● Neutral stance aided FR, they

needed our foodstuffs in West Indies, if we declared war on British they would blockade American coast and cut off all shipping

IX. Embroilments with Britain

● Policy of neutrality tried by British● Kept forts on US soil, agitated Indians along frontier● 1790-1791- Miami Confederacy attacks US soldiers● 1794- Gen. “Mad Anthony” Wayne defeated Indians in the Battle of

Fallen Timbers (OH), forced them to sign Treaty of Greenville● Confederacy gave up huge amounts of land in return for payment

and certain rights● Royal navy seized American ships and sailors, angered Americans● Federalists resisted efforts to punish British, would hurt American

economy

X. Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell

● 1794- Chief Justice John Jay sent to London

● Jeffersonians unhappy with decision

● Treaty favorable to British, BR consented to abandon forts, pay for seizures of ships (did not promise to stop doing it)

● Bound US to pay pre- Revolutionary debts, BR most favored status

● Crystallized support for Jeffersonians

● Southerners would have to pay most debt, northern shippers would collect money for damages

● Pinckney’s Treaty 1795- Spain gave US access to Mississippi, disputed territory north of FL

X. Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell

● After second term Washington decided to retire

● Began two term tradition of presidents

● 1796- Farewell Address published in newspapers across countries

● Advised against “permanent alliances”, favored temporary alliances

● Basic message was unity at home, independence abroad

● Washington’s contributions enormous- legitimized central government, kept nation out of war

● US economy expanding and population was moving westward

XI. John Adams Becomes President

● Federalists turn to John Adams (Hamilton not popular)

● D-R’s turn to Jefferson● Political passion high, election

based on personality● Adams squeezed through electoral

college● Adams “prickly” intellectual, little

appeal to masses, hard to follow Washington

● Hamilton headed High Federalist party, conspired against Adams

XII. Unofficial Fighting With France

● Inherited problems with France● Upset about Jay’s Treaty● French seize American merchant

ships● Adams sends envoy’s to France to

reach agreement● XYZ Affair (1797)● Envoys approached by French

agents (X,Y,Z) demand bribe to meet with French prime minister

● Way business done in Europe, negotiations broke down

● US beginnings war preparations● Navy Dept. created● Marines reestablished, army

authorized● 1798-1800- most battles at sea● French ships captured, American

merchant ships destroyed●

XIII. Adams Put Patriotism Above Party

● France did not need another enemy

● British supplied Americans war supplies

● Adams realized weak America needed to avoid war

● 1799- sends envoys to France, again

● Napoleon now ruled France, wanted to get rid of American problem

● Convention of 1800- ends alliance, pay damage claims to American shippers

● Adams kept America out of war, paved path to future acquisition of Louisiana

XIV. Federalist Witch Hunt

●1798- Congress passes laws to keep opposition quiet, Alien and Sedition Laws

● Alien Laws- raises residence requirement of citizens

● Violated traditional American open door policy and speedy assimilation

● President could deport, imprison dangerous foreigners

● Viewed as an arbitrary grant of power, laws never really enforced

XIV. Federalist Witch Hunt

●Sedition Laws- aimed at newspapers and critics of Federalist government

●Anyone who impeded policies of government liable to fine, imprisonment

●Seen a violation of freedom of speech, press●Many editors and others indicted under act

(“Spitting Lion”)●Direct conflict with Constitution, Federalist

court did not want to hear case●Acts did have popular support, Congressional

elections in1798-1799 Federalist gained many seats

●Laws expired 1801

XV. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

● Jefferson worried that Federalists would wipe out Constitutional guarantees,

● Fearing prosecution he secretly wrote the Kentucky Resolution (1798,1799 approved by KY legislature)

● Madison drafted less extreme statement, adopted by VA legislature, Virginia Resolution (1798)

● Adopted the compact theory- 13 sovereign states created government, national gov’t a creation of states

● Had exceeded powers with Alien and Sedition Acts● Rightful action was “nullification”● If state disagreed with federal laws, they could be

voided● Federalist argument- people created government, only

Supreme Court could nullify● VA, KY Resolutions extreme states’ rights views,

crystallize opposition to Federalists

XVI. Federalists vs. Democrat- Republicans

Federalists● Believe in strong central

gov’t● Rule by best people● Distrusted full blown

democracy● Promote foreign trade● Little gov’t. Interference

in business● Supported by wealthy● Supporters along Atlantic

seaboard● Promote American

interests overseas● Pro- British

Democrat- Reps. (Jeffersonians)

● Weak central gov’t.● Power held by states● Appeal to middle class,

farmers, laborers● National debt needed to

be paid off● No special privileges for

any class● Pro- French● Protect democracy at

home● Supported by

southerners, westerners

American revolution

Education

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