1. Chapter 7: I. The Articles Government faces major problems after the Revolution. Most are handled poorly. A. The Army. Officers upset about lost pay/other grievances. Only actions by Washington prevents the military from seizing control of the fragile nation. B. Native-Americans. Treated as “conquered people” (they helped England in the war!). The Revolution ends up creating bitterness with both sides. 1. Many tribes are shattered by the revolution, much less powerful than before. They are forced to sign certain unfavorable treaties, (ex. Treaty of Fort Stanwix). 2. By mid-1780’s, warfare breaks out west of the Appalachians. The Articles Gov’t disbanded the army, so they have power to stop the violence

2. Problems with government under Articles C. The National Debt. We owe about $35 million, most to bankers in Europe. The Articles Gov’t cannot tax, so we can’t pay it down. 1. 1781, Wealthy businessman Robert Morris is appointed to solve the debt issue. States continue to refuse to contribute to debt repayment. Morris uses his own fortune to make interest payments. 2. Inability to deal with the debt is a major crisis. Foreign investment/trade/currency acceptance all hinge on the Articles gov’t resolving this issue.

3. Problems with government under Articles D. Foreign Affairs. European nations, recognizing our weakness, continue to dominate over America 1. Spain owns Florida/Louisiana, closes port of New Orleans in 1784. This cuts off our Gulf access. 2. England still maintains forts on edge of US territory (Niagara) and held all of British Canada 3. Major Euro-powers begin to limit economic activity with the US. Ports are closed, exports restricted. Our chaotic economy is destroying our ability to trade effectively - By 1786, exports have fallen 30%, and the Articles Gov’t. can’t agree on how to handle it.

4. Articles Effective at West E. Opening the West. The Articles Gov’t is effective in land decisions and organization. 1. Land Ordinance of 1785 provides for survey/ sale of land west of PA,NY, north of the Ohio River. a. Townships 6 miles square...subdivided into lots of 640 acres each. 2. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provides political organization pointing towards eventual statehood. a. Slavery OK south of the Ohio R, but north of it no new slaves…only ones you own now. 3. Both acts provide for the legal mechanism for White settlement of the west. AND land sale will raise funds to help pay into the national debt.

5. Problems with the States Tumult in the States. By the mid 1780’s it’s clear the Articles Gov’t cannot run the nation effectively A. As revolution “fever” subsides, Americans become more conservative and impatient of radical politics. People wanted their gov’t to work.

6. Shay’s Rebellion B. Shay’s Rebellion, Mass 1785-1786. Discontent with the economy cause popular rebellion. 1. Massive debt forces the state governments to increase taxes on citizens. People take out loans from each other, creating a pyramid of paper money debt, most of it originating in English banks 2. 1785. British banks call in their loans…this creates a ripple effect throughout Mass. Poorer people are hit the worst - They demand “stay laws” suspending payment of private debts. Wealthier merchants, tied to England, claim these laws are illegal.

7. Shay’s Rebellion 3. 1786. Mobs protest the lack of relief. Whole towns refuse to pay taxes owed to the state gov’t. - Daniel Shays, Rev. vet, leads a rebellion against the state gov’t. He tries to seize the federal arsenal in 1787. State officials are forced to call out the militia. - The rebellion over by Spring 1787. Shays and other leaders are pardoned by the legislature C. Incidents like Shays Rebellion occur in other states…the Articles gov’t. needs change NOW.

8. Constitutional Convention The New National Government. By mid 1780’s, many big politicians begin to call for a stronger central government. The Articles must be changed/replaced. A. The Rise of the “Federalism”. The federalists include Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Jay 1. They worried about radical nature of the Revolution (Sons of Liberty), They fear that too much liberty was endangering the gains made by the revolution. (our danger is not England, but us). 2. They believed in “aristocracy of talent” …high value on social order and property rights

9. Constitutional Convention – VA Plan B. The Grand Convention opens in Phila, May 1787. Those in power in the Articles gov’t claim we are “revising” the existing gov’t. All major political leaders…both Fed and Anti-Fed attend C. Most delegate accept the basic structure of the gov’t must be changed. How much is the question. 1. James Madison presents the Virginia plan. (Jefferson, who was in France as Rep. also inputs) - It has a bicameral legislature; an assembly based on pop, a senate chosen by the assembly. - It would also have a President chosen by Congress, and a National judiciary. - It’s power base favors the more populous states, so larger states like it. FEDERALIST

10. NJ Plan 2. New Jersey Plan; presented by William Patterson. Keeps the Articles, but adds power to tax, have a President(no veto) and a court. Small states like it. ANTI-FEDERALIST

11. Great Compromise 3. The Great (Connecticut) Compromise is proposed to resolve differences in both approaches. - House of Reps based on White population of each state (plus 3/5ths of Slave population) - Senate selected by State Legislatures (no direct election till 1913).

12. Electoral College D. The Electoral College would meet to select a president (like the Senate, and indirect election) 1. The EC reflected the “Aristocracy of Talent” concept: people of means, wealth, education, status, etc. are best suited to lead…so the gov’t should ensure that happening.

13. African Americans E. African Americans provided for much controversy in the Convention. An attempt to abolish slavery is quickly turned down….Southern states will not tolerate abolition. 1. The 3/5 th Compromise (see House of Reps): Blacks will count for both Reps and Taxation. 2. The importation of slaves will be stopped…but not for 20 years. A Fugitive Slave Clause is also written in to Constitution 3. These actions see the constitution acknowledge Slavery’s as an existing and legal institution.

14. Elastic Clause F. The Elastic Clause was intended to reverse the power imbalance of the A of C gov’t. 1. All powers not explicitly defined in the Constitution will reside with the Fed. gov’t…not States 2. Adding to that will be Article 6: the Constitution and all laws will be “the Law of the Land”.

15. Seven Principles of the Constitution a. Federalism b. Division of Power c. Checks and Balances d. Consent of the governed e. Representative democracy f. Limited Power g. Change and Grow

16. Ratification IV. Ratification. 9 of 13 states for ratification. Specially elected “conventions” would approve it/or not.…not the current state assemblies (they would lose power in the new gov’t….hence their opposition)

17. Anti-Federalists Opposition groups called “Anti-Federalists” form. What were the ANTI-FEDERALIST arguments? 1. A Strong central gov’t means weakened states power. States should have more power. 2. It betrays of the democratic spirit of the Revolution. 3. The nation is way too big to be run by a centralized single power. 4. National army would threaten individual liberties 5. Tax collectors would swarm the countryside 6. Could not bear the burden of national and state taxes 7. Capital nesting ground for tyranny 8. No bill of rights 9. President may become king

18. Federalists FEDERALISTS. We’ve changed too much from 1776, we need a strong central gov’t led by men of wealth and talent. 1. Madison, Hamilton, Jay write “The Federalist Papers a series of persuasive essays explaining the new government’s strengths and countering Anti-fed arguments i.e. “Too big a nation will have too many factions, it’ll be hard to control”counter argument: A lot of factions are necessary for liberty. p238.

19. Ratification 2. Momentum swings to the Federalists…states began to ratify the constitution. DE,PA,NJ,GE,CO a. Massachusetts balks, a “Bill of Rights” was created to insure their approval. b. By June 1788, Nine states ratify (NH is #9), but not Virginia and New York Their OK is necessary. new nation would be geographically divided if VA and NY don’t join. c. Opposition is halted in Virginia, major leader Patrick Henry is anti-federalist. Madison uses his political skill to out maneuver Henry and get the state to approve. 1. Anti-Federalist feeling in NY are also solved…they come in by July 1788.