Shaping A New Nation

From Confederation to Constitution

Colonies Become States

Each colony had – governor, council, colonial assembly = own form of government

Distinct self-governing Allegiance to colony 1st

America 2nd

FEAR of strong central govt. = England

Republicanism

Feared Democracy

(why?)

Republic – (define)

John Dickinson’s view

Virtuous People

Good of Nation over self

(True today?)

Republicanism

Adam Smith

Philosopher & Economist

“Greed is good”

Republic benefits from self interest

(True?)

State Constitutions

Each state created their own, but adopted many similar ideas

• Limit power of govt. leaders

• Guarantee specific rights to citizens

- Freedom of Speech

- Freedom of Religion

- Freedom of Press

Focus on Liberty over Equality (explain)

Right to Vote

Limited democracyAfrican Americans – generally could not vote

Maryland and others – property ownership requirement

New Jersey – voting rights to all free property owners (Women – ended – 1807)

Massachusetts

What did the U.S. “borrow” from the Massachusetts Constitution?

http://www.mass.gov/legis/const.htm

History of Republics

Greece

Rome

Italy (Florence, Venice, Pisa, Genoa)

Swiss - Reformation

England – Oliver Cromwell

What’s the significance?

Continental Congress

3 Major Questions

•Representation?

•Power?

•Western Land?

Representation?

State or population

Size, wealth, population varied greatly

Since the colonial view ruled – 1 vote per state

Balance of Power

Articles of Confederation

2 levels – states & federal – each had powers over the other

National – declare war, make peace, sign treaties, borrow money, set standards for coins, weights & measures, postal service, & native relations

NO executive department, no national court system

Western Lands

1779 – 12 states happy – Maryland blocked passage – western lands

Some states had claim to western land while others didn’t = unfair advantage

solution – national govt. assume control

passed march 1781

Governing the Western Lands

Land Ordinance of 1785

Plan for surveying the land

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Dividing land into territories & set plan for becoming a state

The Confederation Fails

Political & Economic Problems?

Borrowers Versus Lenders?

Foreign-Relations?