1. The Confederation and the Constitution, 1776-1790 Unit 3: The U. S
The Confederation and the Constitution, Unit 3: The U.S. Constitution and the Early National Period
“ What happened was accelerated evolution rather than outright revolution” ---American Pageant

2. Essential Questions
How did the revolution affect social customs, political institutions and ideas about government?
What role did compromise play in the creation of the federal Constitution
How did the debate surrounding the strength and scope of the national government lead to the creation of the two party system?

3. Separating Church and State
Congregational Church
Anglican Church and the Protestant Episcopal Church
Disestablishment
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1786)

4. Slavery Philadelphia Quakers Call for abolition
Differences between North & South
Political expediency

5. The Role of Women Civic virtue
Republican Motherhood: Elevating women to a newly prestigious role as the special keepers of the nation’s conscience.

6. State Constitutions
Continental Congress called upon colonies to draft new constitutions (become states)
Sovereignty according to republican ideals
Authority of the people
Connecticut and Rhode Island
Massachusetts (oldest) and the constitutional convention

7. Similarities Aided the drafting of the federal constitution
Constitutions represented contracts that defined the powers of government
Not the British tradition
Inclusion of Bill of Rights
Annual election of legislatures
Weak executive and judicial branches

8. Now What? Suspicion of authority
Unification and the removal of the common cause
Loss of the conservative voice
Sovereignty of the thirteen states
Coin money
Raise armies and navies
Enact tariffs
Virginia’s separate treaty with France

9. Articles of Confederation
Adopted in 1777, ratified in 1781
Convince allies of a genuine government
Western lands
Central authority

10. Features of the AoC
Loose confederation for dealing with common problems (foreign affairs)
No executive branch
Judicial authority at the state level
Hobbled Congress
Each state had one vote
Nine votes required for passage
Unanimous vote required for amending AoC
No power to regulate commerce

11. Land Laws Land Ordinance of 1785
Survey, Sale to pay off debt, Subdivision & education:

12. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Defined path to statehood (7 steps).
Banned slavery in the Old Northwest.
Exempted slaves already present.
Served as a model for future expansion.
A Triumphant Cartoon
This cartoon appeared in the Massachusetts Centinel on August 2, Note the two laggards, especially the sorry condition of Rhode Island.

13. Constitutional Convention
Shay’s Rebellion (1786)…
Eventually met in Philadelphia in 1787.
55 members, 12 states
Propertied, elite.
Many Revolutionary leaders were absent.
Economic motives for meeting (land).
Desire to curtail “unrestrained democracy”.

14. Independence Hall, Philadelphia

15. The Necessity to Compromise
To scrap or revise?
Large-state plan – The Virginia Plan
Small-state plan – The New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise
Robust executive branch
Electoral college
Three-fifths Compromise
Ending the slave trade

17. Ratification Antifederalists Federalists Debates within the states
Call for a Bill of Rights
Rhode Island – last to ratify.

18. Conservative Triumph Minority victory in revolution.
Minority led the writing of the federal Constitution.
Only 1/4th of the adult white males voted for the delegates to the constitutional conventions.
Eventually, the decision to ratify meant not being left out as opposed to wanting to belong.
Conservatives protected against “mob-rule” excesses.