Now What Do We Do?

Now What Do We Do?Establishing A Government

SassoUS I

What Are We Looking At?

The Treaty of Paris provides us with all of the territory from the Atlantic Ocean to the MS River (excluding Canada & FL)

LOTS of territory to survey, control, and eventually populate

What problems do we face?

How can we fix those problems?

Self Government

This concept has always been present on some level in America

As we struggled in war, we also struggled to develop a system to replace the British govt. model

Struggle last nearly 15 years, but many important parts were addressed during the Revolution

One major question:◦What exactly are we trying to create?

First Step: Forming State Govts

The amending of state govt. began around 1776Most of these “constitutions” reflect a fear of

executive powerBUT- there is also a great concern about giving

the people too much powerIt’s a pretty delicate balance to try and findOne thing that all parties agree on: the state

and national govts. should be republicsAll power would derive from the people, rather

than a supreme authority

Republican Govt

Success of a republic depends on the nature of its citizens

In theory, if the population consists of independent property owners with “civic virtue”, the govt. should be in good shape

If there are a few powerful aristocrats and a great mass of dependent workers, the govt. may be in trouble (potential for corruption)

Republican Govt

Equality is another part of the equationIn theory, talent and energy would determine

role in societyEquality of opportunity (not condition)It’s a nice concept, but America is never really

like thatWe already have a huge, dependent labor

force (slaves) with more to comeAmerica never really provided true equality of

opportunity (and never really will)

State Constitutions

By 1780- 11 of 13 states produce new constitutions (CT and RI will not)

Not easy tasks, but completion is important 1st basic decision: Constitutions will be written down and

made available Simple concept, but a pretty big deal Vaguery produces corruption; structure must be recorded 2nd basic decision: executive power must be limited Concerted effort to separate branches of govt. 3rd basic decision: Not going with direct popular voting Most states will have bicameral legislatures (2 houses) The upper house typically represents a higher order of

society

State Constitutions

State govts aren’t very effective at first

TOO MUCH democracy to accomplish tasks

States will quickly revise their work

MA becomes the model for revisions

MA makes two major changes◦ #1- Constitutional

Conventions ◦ #2- Strengthening the

executive position

State Constitutions

By this point, most states have moved to true religious freedom and a complete separation of church and state

While religion is no longer a significant political issue, slavery is becoming one

Many movements begin to spring up around the country looking to abolish the institution

Jefferson- “Slavery is like holding a wolf by the ears”

National Govt

National govt. is an entirely different set of issuesMost people believe that govt. at the national level

should be very weakThere is a tremendous fear of monarchyEach state should essentially be its own sovereign

nation Kind of like 13 little countries, instead of 1 big countryThe Articles of Confederation (1777) are developed

out of this conceptMuch of the credit for the A of C goes to John

Dickinson (PA)

The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation will serve as our first form of national govt.

Congress will remain the only institution of national authority There is NO EXECUTIVE BRANCH (meaning no steady President) There is NO SUPREME COURT (meaning no national court) Congress will be a unicameral legislature: one house

legislature Each state would get 1 vote in Congress 1 state = 1 vote (regardless of size or population) In order to pass any legislation, 9 out of 13 states would have

to approve (that’s hard) In order to ratify or amend the Articles, 13 out of 13 states

would have to approve (that’s nearly impossible)

National Power vs. State Power

National Govt State Govts

Create Army/NavyConduct WarsBorrow/Issue $Make Laws

CAN’T regulate tradeCAN’T taxCAN’T draft soldiers

TaxesTrade RegulationDrafting of soldiers

Some Hold-ups

A of C will not be ratified until 1781

Legislative setup is unbalanced Smallest states tend to vote in

a bloc, and they outnumber the heavily populated states (7-6)

Land issue- largest states have claims on huge tracts of Western land

Small states feel intimidated Eventually, the larger states

will agree to give up all of their western claims to the national govt.

What do we do with all of the available land?

The Land Ordinance of 1785

Sell it!The govt. will survey new

landsTownships are 36 square

miles36 sections of 1 sq. mi.1 sq. mi. = 640 acresGovt. will sell the land at

$1/acreHere’s the catch- the govt.

requires and individual to purchase an entire section (owners can subdivide if they choose)

The Northwest Ordinance 1787

The blueprint for developing states

Attract 5,000 citizens to territory- set up provisional govt.

60,000 citizens- draft constitution

Constitution can then be submitted to Congress for admission to Union

NW Territory can be no less than 3 states, no more than 5

Slavery is PROHIBITED in the NW territory

Problems, Problems, Problems…

America would really like to stay out of European rivalries, but that’s nearly impossible

We need $, and our prosperity will depend on trade

Ultimately have to develop some kind of commercial treaties

BUT… we have serious issues with England, Spain, and Native Americans


Relationship with England will be strained (clearly)

Both England and America find ways to violate the Treaty of Paris

England will encourage Native tribes to attack U.S. settlers

American goods no longer receive preferred position in British markets

England floods our markets with cheap goods

England accepts an American ambassador (John Adams), but they will refuse to send one in return; not sure if they should send 1 or 13

That’s a political slap in the face England would love to see us fail


Spain is upset about the amount of territory that America received

U.S. expansion threatens Spanish lands

Many border disputes spring up

Spain will form alliances with several Native tribes; encourages them to attack US frontier settlers

Spain will also reject a Right of Deposit request in New Orleans, hampering Americans ability to trade in Western territories


France is not exactly pleased with U.S. either

Supporting the Revolution decimated their finances

France wants to be compensated for the effort

America isn’t in a position to pay France with currency

Trade privileges France wanted didn’t materialize

France is starting to think they got the short end of the stick (and they’re probably correct)


We also have to deal with the presence of the Barbary Pirates

North African pirates who patrol the Mediterranean and Atlantic

They capture the ships/crews of nations who refuse to pay tribute (bribes)

America had been protected by the British navy and treasury

Privileges apply anymore- U.S. ships will face constant harassment

We don’t have a navy for protection


America has domestic issues as well

Northeastern states dislike each other

Continually bicker over boundaries and trade

Congress can’t regulate trade, so states will pass all sorts of shady laws to take advantage of their neighbors

Without a national currency, each state creates their own money and rates of exchange

Pretty much back at square one in terms of finance and trade


Our new lands will start filling up quickly

Between 1780-1790, the Western population will increase from 2,000 to 100,000

Very tough to meet the needs of these people

England still occupies Western forts (we can’t move them out)

We can’t handle the Spanish on any level

We lack money to buy land or settle with Native Americans

We don’t have a functional military that can protect settlers

Situation out West can be utterly lawless

Now What Do We Do?

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