The Confederation and the Constitution ( ) Chapter 9

A. The Pursuit of Equality American Revolution had striking changes on Americans American Revolution had striking changes on Americans New social customs, political institutions, ideas on society, and gov’t New social customs, political institutions, ideas on society, and gov’t “All men are created equal” was the buzz phrase “All men are created equal” was the buzz phrase Property holding qualifications for voting being questioned Property holding qualifications for voting being questioned Divorce btwn religion and state Divorce btwn religion and state Slavery being challenged, but not seriously Slavery being challenged, but not seriously Women arguing for equality but not getting it Women arguing for equality but not getting it Some women stressed “Republican Motherhood” Some women stressed “Republican Motherhood” –Meant that women were the keepers of the nation’s conscience

B. Constitution-Making in the States Government calling on states to write new constitutions Government calling on states to write new constitutions All state const. created weak executive and judicial branches All state const. created weak executive and judicial branches Deep distrust of central power Deep distrust of central power

C. Economic Crosscurrents Trade difficult for Americans after the war Trade difficult for Americans after the war Britain barred American trade Britain barred American trade But, Americans could now trade with whoever they wanted But, Americans could now trade with whoever they wanted Speculation, profiteering, inflation all rampant Speculation, profiteering, inflation all rampant Some citizens better off before revolution Some citizens better off before revolution Large gap between the rich and poor Large gap between the rich and poor

D. A Shaky Start Toward Union America had to create a new gov’t America had to create a new gov’t A lot of disunity existed in the new 13 states A lot of disunity existed in the new 13 states Britain began selling goods into America at cheap prices, undercutting American goods Britain began selling goods into America at cheap prices, undercutting American goods There were good things however There were good things however –States had similar constitutions –Rich political heritage –Great leaders

E. Creating a Confederation 13 States were soveriegn, they coined money, raised armies and navies, and changed tariff 13 States were soveriegn, they coined money, raised armies and navies, and changed tariff Articles of Confederation had been the const. since 1776 Articles of Confederation had been the const. since 1776 Many states refused to get along Many states refused to get along Smaller states angry that large states have land west of Allegheny Mts. Smaller states angry that large states have land west of Allegheny Mts. Eventually, all states approve to turn land into common land to eventually be turned into future states Eventually, all states approve to turn land into common land to eventually be turned into future states Important because, now people began looking to the central, federal gov’t Important because, now people began looking to the central, federal gov’t

F. The Articles of Confederation: America’s 1 st Constitution Weaknesses Congress chief agency Congress chief agency No executive branch No executive branch Unequal representation Unequal representation Amendments required unanimity Amendments required unanimity Congress could not regulate trade or pass taxes Congress could not regulate trade or pass taxes Basically, state’s had all power Basically, state’s had all power Strengths Strengths “kept alive the flickering ideal of union” “kept alive the flickering ideal of union” Could make treaties Could make treaties Handled the post service Handled the post service

G. Landmarks in Land Laws Land Ordinance of 1785 Land Ordinance of 1785 –Old Northwest would be sold to pay off nat’l debt –Divided into orderly townships –Made the new land organized Northwest Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1785 –Defined how a territory became a state –Also forbade slavery in the old northwest

H. Shays’ Rebellion Happened in Mass Happened in Mass Daniel Shays a Revolutionary War vet Daniel Shays a Revolutionary War vet Mass. Had ridiculously high tax rate Mass. Had ridiculously high tax rate Lost is house and farm Lost is house and farm Shut down several courts, federal gov’t powerless Shut down several courts, federal gov’t powerless Showed the waeknesses of the A.O.C. Showed the waeknesses of the A.O.C.

I. The Constitutional Convention States understand a new constitution is needed States understand a new constitution is needed Decided to scrap the A.O.C. Decided to scrap the A.O.C. Big Question needed to be answered: How would states be represented? Big Question needed to be answered: How would states be represented?

Two Plans For Representation Virginia Plan (Large State Plan) Virginia Plan (Large State Plan) -create a bicameral legislature -create a bicameral legislature -representatives chosen based on population -representatives chosen based on population New Jersey Plan (Small State Plan) New Jersey Plan (Small State Plan) -unicameral Congress -unicameral Congress -equal representation -equal representation

The Great Compromise Bicameral Congress Bicameral Congress –House of Representatives, Representatives based on population –Senate, every state gets equal senators (2) An Executive Branch was created (President) An Executive Branch was created (President) –Had power as commander in Chief and could wage war, but not declare it

The 3/5 Compromise Southern states had an advantage for representation: Slaves Southern states had an advantage for representation: Slaves Northern states didn’t like that, so a compromise was worked out Northern states didn’t like that, so a compromise was worked out A southern state could count all whites plus 3/5 of their slaves into population A southern state could count all whites plus 3/5 of their slaves into population

J. The Clash of Federalists and Anti-Federalists Framers knew agreement of Constitution not going to be easy (all 13 states) Framers knew agreement of Constitution not going to be easy (all 13 states) They came up with new plan (9 of 13) They came up with new plan (9 of 13) Anti-federalists opposed the constitution b/c federal gov’t too strong Anti-federalists opposed the constitution b/c federal gov’t too strong –Poorer citizens –Complained about the absences of a Bill of Rights Federalists in favor of it Federalists in favor of it –Mostly wealthy and educated –Controlled the press

K. The Great Debate in the Senate Special elections held for members of ratifying convention Special elections held for members of ratifying convention After much debate and the promise to add a bill of rights, 9 states agreed After much debate and the promise to add a bill of rights, 9 states agreed Va., NY, NC, and RI still refused Va., NY, NC, and RI still refused The Federalist The Federalist –Papers written by framers arguing the merits of the constitution The last four states ratified not because they wanted to, but because they couldn’t exist outside the US The last four states ratified not because they wanted to, but because they couldn’t exist outside the US

L. A Conservative Triumph Constitution a revolution of a minority Constitution a revolution of a minority Conservatism won out Conservatism won out Federalists believed that every branch (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial) served the people Federalists believed that every branch (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial) served the people Checks and balances kept order Checks and balances kept order