 “We know what we want-now, how do we do it?”  Republic  Republicanism (based on the consent of the people)  Needed a government based on virtue – good of nation over personal issues  The Setup:  Limited leaders roles  Guaranteed specific rights for citizens  Emphasized liberty over equality  States had their own Constitutions  Different rules depending on the state

Americans after the revolution believed:  Power arises from the consent of the governed = the people  DID NOT WANT a direct democracy! (WHY?) Republic was best…. PROS?CONS?

 Republic, YES.  Supreme power? NO!!!  SOLUTION  a confederation

 1. Representation by population or State?  2. Supreme Power: Can it be divided?  3. Western Lands: Who gets them?

REPRESENTATION BY POPULATION OR STATE? SUPREME POWER: CAN IT BE DIVIDED?  Equal…..but not really  How?  How should representatives be decided?  Members saw themselves as citizens of their states  Therefore: 1 vote/state  The Articles of Confederation created a confederation within the United States  NATIONAL GOVT:  Declare war  Make peace  Sign treaties  Borrow money  Coin Money  Deal with Natives  Postal Service  BUT, they have no executive, therefore no way to enforce it!

 1779 – 12 states had approved Articles  MD did not – b/c of land claims  Why was MD so afraid of Western land claims?  Solution: land is property of United States  Passed in 1781  Land Ordinance of 1785  Established a plan for surveying land  Northwest Ordinance of 1787  Decided:  Government in the West  How to elect a temporary govt.  How to apply for statehood  Who did it overlook?

The United States in 1787 This map shows the extent of American westward settlement in 1787 and the limits placed on that settlement by French and Spanish claims west of the Mississippi and in Florida. Plans for the creation of three to five states in the Northwest territory were approved by Congress in 1787, ensuring that the settlers in this region would enjoy the same political rights as the citizens of the original thirteen states. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

The Northwest Territory, The Ordinance of 1785 provided for surveying land into townships of thirty-six sections, each supporting four families on 160-acre plots (approximately twenty-five people per square mile). In 1787 the Northwest Ordinance stipulated that states would ultimately be created in the region. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

The Limits of Limited Government: 1. No common currency or banking laws 2. Unable to settle disputes over commerce between states 3. Unable to have stable govt. funding or to collect taxes 4. Unanimous decisions necessary to amend (Rhode Island creates problems!!!) 5. Unable to deal with foreign powers, i.e. N. African Pirates 6. Weak army and navy 7. Unable to respond to Shay’s rebellion

 Political and Economic 1. States are unbalanced politically in regards to population 2. War debt 3. Continental Currency is worthless 4. No trade regulations, taxes, or tariffs  Borrowers vs. Lenders 1. Bankruptcies increasing 2. High taxes 3. Cheap currency lowers debt, hurts banks  Foreign Relations 1. Spain menaces borders 2. France demands repayment 3. Navigation Acts still a problem 4. N. African Piracy a growing problem