1. © Mark Batik Jesuit College Prep
Republicanism
© Mark Batik
Jesuit College Prep

2. What is it? Civic Virtue/Public Morality
Government by popular consent rather than aristocracy
Participation
Equality
Merit over privilege

3. Manifestations Expanded franchise
Destruction of systems of inherited privilege
Decline of official religion
Speech, speech and more speech

4. Republican Motherhood
Modern interpretation of the idealized role of women in
Raise children to uphold the ideals of republicanism
Sons—pursue liberty
Daughters—educate and preserve the home sphere

5. By giving the vote to “all free inhabitants,” the 1776 constitution of New Jersey enfranchised women as well as men who met the property requirements. The number of women voters eventually led to male protests. Wrote one: “What tho’ we read, in days of yore, / The woman’s occupation / Was to direct the wheel and loom, / Not to direct the nation.” In 1807, a new state law explicitly limited the right of franchise to “free white male citizens.” SOURCE:CORBIS.

6. Contradictions of Slavery
2 trends emerge:
1. North moves toward abolition
2. South solidifies slavery
Why: Economics trumps morality
In North, it wasn’t economically feasible
In South it was seen as economically necessary

7. State Constitutionalism
Basic tenets:
1. Written documents
2. Natural Rights become conventional rights
3. Power transitions from Executive to Legislative
4. Sovereignty derives from the people