Revolution, Articles and Federalism

A. Patriots and Loyalists1. Difficult to measure but…

a. 1/3 Loyal to crownb. 1/3 dedicated to independence c. 1/3 neutral

2. Loyalists (“Tories”)a. Colonists who fought to return to colonial

rule b. Conservative, educated, wealthy and

fearful of mob rule.c. Anglican clergy d. Pockets of NY, SC, PA and NJe. Least numerous in New England.f. Ineffective at gaining allegiance of neutralsg. Harassed, imprisoned and some killed.h. 80,000 fled and their estates were sold off

to help finance wari. British mistakenly did not make full use of

Loyalists on homefront.

3. Patriots (“Whigs”)a. American rebels who fought both GB and

American Loyalistsb. Most numerous in New Englandc. Minority movement but more effective in

gaining support of neutrals.

B. American Society During War1. Military

a. Over 250,000 American soldiers fought

b. 10% who fought, diedc. GB occupied most major cities

during course of war (Boston, NY, Philadelphia)

d. Most fighting done by poorest Americans.

e. African-Americans fought on both sides (5,000 for Continentals; 30,000 for GB)

f. Native Americans fought for GB as well.

g. Womeni. Managed land and farms while men

served.ii. Some travelled with army as cooks

and nurses.iii. More politically active and expressed

opinions more freely.

2. War Economya. Wealthy businessmen

helped finance war or provide needed supplies.

i. Robert Morrisii. Silas Deane

b. “privateers” i. legalized pirates wreaked

havoc on British shipping for profit.

ii. Took needed manpower away from field but contributed to win with gold and victories.

c. Inflationi. Colonial currency badly

devalued.ii. “Not worth a continental”iii. Caused morale to drop

C. Paris Peace Treaty - 17831. Why did GB give up?

a. Could not maintain world wide war

b. Geo III willing to continue but Brits ready to come to terms

c. PM Lord North out and Whig Parliament favorable to Americans in.

d. Quick to draw Americans from further alliance with French.

2. Termsa. US recognized as

independent by GB with land to the Miss. River

b. Loyalists would be left alone and get their land back*

c. People who owed debt to GB before war would still have to pay them *

d. Why such generous terms?

i. Trying to seduce US away from France

ii. Whig Parliament thought this might open up trade and prevent future wars

D. Revolution?1. No

a. Not a sudden or violent overturn of entire political and social framework (Like French and Russian Rev)

b. More of a rapid “evolution”

2. Yesa. 80,000 Loyalist

conservatives left leaving more “democratic” Whigs in their wake

b. Ideas of self – government not new, but a three branch federal republic certainly was.

This

Not This

E. Articles of Confederation1. Created and signed in 1781

a. Loose alliance of statesi. No central authority – Congress

was the chief agency of the gov’tii. Each state got one voteiii. Amending the Articles required

unanimous consentiv. Could not enforce tax collection or

regulate commerce between statesv. No national army, just state militiasvi. No uniform currency

b. Majorly flawed, but an important step towards Constitution.

3. Not a total busta. Land Ordinance of 1785

i. Northwest area would be sold off to help pay debt.ii. 6 mi sq. townships with 36 1 sq. mi sections – one dedicated to public education.

b. Northwest Ordinance of 1787i. Devised an orderly system for territories to become states.ii. 60,000 inhabitants and a prohibition of slavery.

4. Shays Rebelliona. Daniel Shays a former Captain in

colonial militiab. Led backwoods farmers on a

rebellion for farm foreclosures, taxes

c. Rebellion stopped but with effort. d. Propertied class demanded a

stronger central gov’t with national army.

e. Liberty! Ep. 6 17:17 – 22:00

F. The Constitution

• A. Setting the Stage1. 55 delegates meet

in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787

2. Sessions held in secret

3. Decided to scrap Articles (not amend)

4. James Madison – “Father of the Constitution”

• B. The Compromises1. How states would be

represented in Congress was the largest issue

a. Virginia Plan (Madison) – bicameral based on population

b. New Jersey Plan (Patterson) – unicameral with equal votes per state

c. Great Compromise (Sherman- CT)– bicameral legislature

i. Senate would have 2 votes per state

ii. House of Representatives would be based on population

+

+ =

• 2. Power of the Presidenta. Federalists wanted a strong

Presidentb. Anti-Feds feared powers in the

hands of onec. Compromised on one executive

with limited powers.• 3. Slavery

a. North wanted slaves to be counted as one person for taxation but 0 for representation

b. South wanted slaves to be counted as one person for representation and 0 for taxation.

c. 3/5ths Compromise – Every 5 slaves would be counted as 3 for both.

• 4. Other Decisionsa. 3 branches of

government with checks and balances on each other

b. The “elastic clause” or “necessary and proper clause” – allowed Congress to pass legislation that they deemed necessary and proper.

c. “Supremacy clause” – the authority of the national government is superior to that of the states.

• 5. Ratificationa. 9 of 13 states needed

to ratifyb. Federalist supported it

(Federalist Papers) and Anti-Federalist were either opposed or skeptical.

c. 9th states ratifies on June 21, 1788.

d. Bill of Rights (first 10 Amendments) ratified in Dec. 1791 – many Anti-Feds wouldn’t sign without it.

e. Liberty! 6 22:00

Ratification Debate