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