Chapter 9: The Confederation and the Constitution

1776-1790 Eric Camacho

Prepared for Mrs. Abend

Introduction

American Rev.- accelerated evolution Exodus of about 80,000 loyalist removed

conservative ballast

a. Weakened upper class

b. Patriots elite emerge

c. more egalitarian ideas

The Pursuit of Equality “All men are created equal”-Dec. of Independence

Fight for separation of church and state

Challenge against slavery- reducing power

Discriminatory laws remained both in the North and South

Idealism of Founding Fathers fell to political expediency

No Women Rights- until civic virtue led to Republican Motherhood- giving educational rights to women

Constitution Making in the states

1776-Continental Congress-Draft new constitutioncolonies states + republicanism= authority by the people

Process of drafting and ratification of Constitution originated in Massachusetts

1. convention draft constitution2. people ratify constitution and it is adopted3. Modification by Constitutional convention

Constitution Making in the states cont.

Similar constitutions led to the creation of a federal charter

Written constitution meant a fundamental law Legislature (most democratic branch) had sweeping

powers

Influence felt in relocating of state capitals

Economic Crosscurrents

Economic Democracy expressed political democracy with confiscating and dividing land

US was cut off from English imports and forced into own manufacture

British Navigation laws caused more damage to the economy after independence

New commercial options- trade freely with foreign nations “ Empress of China” 1784 trade of ginseng (valuable weed)

Economic Crosscurrents cont

Downside- demoralized extravagance, speculation, profiteering, and inflation

Economic and social atmosphere unhealthy

1.new rich class-profiteers 2.once-wealthy people were left destitute3.distaste for taxes4.disrespect for government. and law maker

A Shaky Start Toward Union

United through government/ constitution, rich political inheritance and powerful leaders

Creating a Confederation

Second Continental Congress-conference of ambassadors Needed a constitution, but had

control of military and foreign policy 1776-Articles of Confederation were

written

Conflict over western lands by 6 states including Pennsylvania and Maryland Congress pledged to dispose of vast

areas for the “common benefit”

The Articles of Confederation America’s First Constitution

Articles of Confederation- loose confederation, 13 independent. States no executive branch

Each state had one vote

Weak Congress- couldn’t enforce its tax-collection program, couldn’t command or protect itself

Demand of federal government with states united

Articles of Confederation outlined the general powers of the constitution (evolutionary steps)

Landmarks in Land Laws

Old Northwest-northwest of the Ohio River, east of the Mississippi River, and south of the Great Lakes

Ordinance of 1785- land should be sold and proceedings used to help pay off the national debt

1787- Northwest ordinance- governing of the Old Northwest Areas under control of federal government. If area had 6 thousand inhabitants area would be added as

state

The World's Ugly Duckling

Troubled foreign relations-Britain refused to send a minister, no commercial treaty or retreat of navigation. Laws

English remained in America because trade and failure of the American states to honor the Treaty of Parris (1783) in regard to debts and Loyalist

Citizens demanded restrictions on British imports but the congress was far to weak

The World's Ugly Duckling cont.

Spanish took control of area north of the Gulf of Mexico

French demanded repayment of war loans

The US could not provide protection for its Mediterranean commerce

The Horrid Specter of Anarchy

1780’s- system for raising money breaking apart, states refuse to pay, complains, public debt rise, and nation’s credit vanishing

Individual states- battles over land, low paper currency

Shay’s Rebellion- 1786- veteran debtor farmers demanded paper money, lighten taxes, and suspend property takeovers

Massachusetts suppressed the rebellion with a small army

Shays Rebellion: illustration

Shays Rebellion demonstrates how Massachusetts government was able to maintain law and suppress the rebellion. Thereby setting an example for the other states

The Horrid Specter of Anarchy cont

Stronger central government would be needed to establish base

States produced paper currency and the economy increased

Critics in 1787 demanded the Articles of Confederation to be improved possibly by a new constitution

A Convention of “ Demigods”

Issue-Control of Commerce- led to a constitutional convention at Annapolis by 1786

Results- Alexander Hamilton- suggested having a convention to reform the Articles of Confederation next year. “for the sole and express purpose of

revising”-Congress

A Convention of “ Demigods” Cont

Select group of propertied men represented each state except Rhode island

55 emissaries from twelve states met in Philadelphia statehouse (Independence hall) with privacy set by guards

According to Jefferson the participants were “demigods”

A Convention of “ Demigods” Cont

Representatives- George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and more

most of the fiery revolutionary leaders were absent

Patriots in Philadelphia

delegates were a conservative-young, wealthy, and nationalist

Attempt to stabilize revolutionary idealism

Hammering Out a bundle of Compromises

Delegates purpose was to overthrow the existing government in a peaceful manner

Virginia “ the large-state plan”- constitution framework a house of congress based on population

New Jersey “ the small- state plan” equal representatives each state

Hammering Out a bundle of Compromises Cont.

Great Compromise- larger states rep. by population in the house of rep. and smaller states equal rep in the Senate.

Each state would have two senators

Hammering Out a bundle of Compromises Cont.

President-executive power- appointments with domestic offices, veto, wage war (congress declares war)

Electing the president by electoral college

Safeguards for Conservatism

Economically- demand for money and protection of private property

Three branches and with checks and balances- “triple-headed monster”-critics

Charter- democratic elements and republic ideals in government. based on the consent of the governed and powers limited

No members of the convention were completely satisfied but they finally compromised and adopted the constitution

The Clash of Federalists and Anti-

federalists

Approval of the constitution would happen during specially elected conventions

Anti-federalist opposed the constitution The lower class saw the constitution

as a plot by the upper class to steal power back from the common folk

The Clash of Federalists and Anti-federalists cont

Federalist had power, influence, press, and wealth on their side

Anti-federalist argued that the constitution was created by aristocrats and therefore the constitution was antidemocratic

The Great Debate in the States

Ratifying conventions- candidates elected on the basis of their pledges for or against the Constitution

4 more small states accepted constitution

Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, agreed to the constitution securing ratification

The Great Debate in the States Cont.

Except, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island agreed

June 21, 1788- Constitution officially adopted

The Four Laggard States

The Union was going to be formed with the constitution

In order to get more people to support the constitution John Jay and James Madison wrote propaganda essays in “The Federalist”

New York finally gave in realizing the need for union

North Carolina and Rhode Island adjourned without inspection until the constitution was up and running is that they both took up the constitution

A Conservative Triumph

The conservative minority had triumphed

Militant minority of conservatives peaceful revolution that replaced the articles of the confederacy with the constitution

A Conservative Triumph Cont.

Federalist were convinced that by setting the government. in a steady course the economy and political stability would be established

Constitution- self-rule in a self-limiting system of checks and balances-liberty and order