2. Egalitarian movements: Quakers found antislavery society in 1775 Anglican church is disestablished Primogeniture laws repealed (less hereditary) Trade organizations spreading (political power for lower classes) Property-holding voting requirements reduced or abolished NOTE: Departure of many prominent Loyalists and Tories means that there are few “conservative” elements

3. Americans after the revolution believed:  Power arises from the consent of the governed = the people  DID NOT WANT a direct democracy.  Fear of Tyranny (limit power of executive branch) THEREFORE, a Republic was the best form of government Defn: Government without a King. Citizens rule through elected officials.

4.  Republic, YES.  Supreme power? NO!!!  SOLUTION  a confederation How is a confederation different from a federal government (what we have today)?

5. 11775, Colonies form state constitutions 11780, Massachusetts holds first constitutional convention 11781, Articles of Confederation approved EEconomic Democracy spreading as Loyalist estates divided, pensions to rev. soldiers, LLand Ordinance of 1785  Western Lands opened w/o slavery NNorthwest Ordinance of 1787 ensures that land rich and land poor states share equally in debts and riches of independence

6. Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation were debated for almost as many years as they were in effect. Proposed in 1775, they were not ratified until 1781. Eight years later, the Constitution replaced them. Eighteenth-century citizens hotly debated the virtues and shortcomings of the Articles, and historians have continued to disagree over the merits of this blueprint for a first American government. (The National Archives of the United States published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Photograph by Jonathan Wallen.) Articles of Confederation Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

7.  The most powerful states (VA, NY, MA) claim lands in Ohio and beyond old line of demarcation  MD refuses to sign Articles. WHY?  SOLUTION: Lands become property of the UNITED states One way to raise money sell land LAWS: Land Ordinance of 1785 = rules for surveying the new lands Northwest Ordinance of 1787 = rules for dividing the land into states and admitting them to the union.

8. The Northwest Territory, 1785-1787 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.

9. The Limits of Limited Government: 1. No common currency or banking laws made interstate comm. difficult 2. Unable to settle disputes over commerce between states 3. Unable to have stable govt. funding or to collect taxes 4. Unanimity necessary to amend 9 votes to pass laws 5. One house leg. 1 vote each and no executive branch 6. Unable to deal with foreign powers, 7. Weak army and navy 8. Unable to respond to Shay’s rebellion

10.  Political and Economic 1.States are unbalanced politically in regards to population 2.War debt (160 Million) 3.Continental Currency is worthless 4.No trade regulations, taxes, or tariffs  Borrowers vs. Lenders 1.Lenders favored High taxes (to get paid back) 2.Borrowers favored Cheap currency to help lower their debt  Foreign Relations 1.Spain menaces borders 2.France demands repayment 3.N. African Piracy a growing problem

11. 1779 South Carolina Continental currency Every state issued paper money to finance its part in the Revolution. Because this currency had little solid backing, it lost value almost immediately. By the time these South Carolina notes were printed, their real value was only 10 percent of their face value. One outcome of such drastic drops in the value of money was that even inelegant dressers like patriot Samuel Adams had to pay $2,000 for a new hat and suit. (Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society) 1779 South Carolina Continental currency Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.