AP Ch. 5

The Creation of New State Governments New Written Constitutions for states. New Written Constitutions for states. “republican” government in which power came from the (landholding) people. “republican” government in which power came from the (landholding) people. Most power in the legislature. Most power in the legislature. 2-house legislatures: 2-house legislatures: Upper House = elites Upper House = elites Lower House = common people. Lower House = common people. Limited the powers of the executive (governors). Limited the powers of the executive (governors). Later, most of these constitutions were altered (they were “too” democratic) and the executives were given more power. Later, most of these constitutions were altered (they were “too” democratic) and the executives were given more power.

More About State Constitutions Disestablishment of religion in SOME states. Disestablishment of religion in SOME states. Thomas Jefferson— Statute of Religious Freedom. Thomas Jefferson— Statute of Religious Freedom. Mass. And Penn. Abolish slavery. Mass. And Penn. Abolish slavery.

Representation in New Legislatures. More people from “Backcountry” More people from “Backcountry” But to hold office in upper house or as an executive, needed to possess a certain amount of wealth. But to hold office in upper house or as an executive, needed to possess a certain amount of wealth. Also to vote for upper house or executive it was often required that you owned a certain amount of property or wealth. Also to vote for upper house or executive it was often required that you owned a certain amount of property or wealth.

republicanism Power comes from the people. Power comes from the people. Success depends on the nature of the citizens. Success depends on the nature of the citizens. Need to possess “Civic Virtue.” Need to possess “Civic Virtue.” To do so, people needed to be independent. To do so, people needed to be independent.

Idea of Equality In Europe, there were fixed classes. In Europe, there were fixed classes. In the colonies there was never an aristocracy. In the colonies there was never an aristocracy. Revolution gave rise to the idea that everyone was equal and that talent and hard-work were what determined a persons success. ( Not a Person’s birth right.) Revolution gave rise to the idea that everyone was equal and that talent and hard-work were what determined a persons success. ( Not a Person’s birth right.) America was unique because it provided equality of opportunity. America was unique because it provided equality of opportunity.

Articles of Confederation America’s first national Govt. America’s first national Govt. Proposed in 1777, not ratified until 1781 (until 1787) Proposed in 1777, not ratified until 1781 (until 1787) Powers: Powers: A. Conduct wars & foreign relations. A. Conduct wars & foreign relations. B. Appropriate, borrow, and issue $. B. Appropriate, borrow, and issue $. Can Not: A. Regulate trade B. Draft Troops C. Tax

1-House legislature 1-House legislature Each state had 1-vote Each state had 1-vote Major vote required 9 of 13 states to approve. Major vote required 9 of 13 states to approve. Amendments required approval of all 13. Amendments required approval of all 13. Weak executive Weak executive

Why the A.C Were Weak The real power was at the state level. The real power was at the state level. This was intentional because the problems with England were viewed, in part, as the result of a distant, powerful central govt. This was intentional because the problems with England were viewed, in part, as the result of a distant, powerful central govt. Remedy, thus, is to keep power as local as possible. Remedy, thus, is to keep power as local as possible.

The Main Success of the Articles of Confederation Western Land Settlement (Northwest Ordinances) Western Land Settlement (Northwest Ordinances) Ordinance of 1784—Divided western territory north of the Ohio R. into 10 self-governing districts that could petition for statehood when pop. Equaled smallest state. Ordinance of 1784—Divided western territory north of the Ohio R. into 10 self-governing districts that could petition for statehood when pop. Equaled smallest state. Ordinance of 1785—System for surveying and selling the land—the Grid Ordinance of 1785—System for surveying and selling the land—the Grid Northwest Ordinance of 1787—replaced 1784 law. Created a single Northwest territory to be made into between 3-5 states and outlawed slavery. Northwest Ordinance of 1787—replaced 1784 law. Created a single Northwest territory to be made into between 3-5 states and outlawed slavery.

Problems Under the Articles of Confederation How to pay for War debts. How to pay for War debts. Need to ASK states. Need to ASK states. Shay’s Rebellion Shay’s Rebellion

Critical Period Some Historians call the period from the “Critical Period” because of the problems under the Articles of Confederation. Some Historians call the period from the “Critical Period” because of the problems under the Articles of Confederation. A group of concerned citizens calls a meeting to fix the Articles of confederation. A group of concerned citizens calls a meeting to fix the Articles of confederation.