South Carolina’s Role in the development of a New Nation 8-2.6 South Carolina’s Role in the development of a New Nation
Pre-Revolution South Carolina formed its own government The Committee of 99 15 merchants 15 artisans 69 planters (hmmm)
The “De Facto” Government Although the Royal Governor was still in Charleston, residents obeyed the Committee of 99. The Committee became the government “de facto”- in fact, if not by law (de jure).
Continental Provincial Congress The General Meeting in SC called for election of delegates to a Provincial Congress Representation was disproportionally from the Low Country The Provincial Congress raised an army issued currency created a committee to enforce nonimportation commissioned the writing of a constitution that eventually became the Articles of the Confederation
Meanwhile in SC Not everyone in SC was happy with this government or nonimportation The provincial government sent a delegation to the back country to make peace. The Treaty of Ninety Six- the backcountry agreed to remain neutral in the Fight with Great Britain Later the Provincial Congress sent a force to defeat the Loyalist militia and silence opposition from the backcountry
State Government SC adopted its first constitution establishing an independent state government before the Declaration of Independence was even signed. It was to serve as the foundation of government until the disagreements with England were resolved.
SC’s Provincial Government SC constitution provided for a two house legislature: - The Lower house elected by the people - The upper house elected by the lower house The president, who was elected from the legislature, had the right to veto laws. The Lowcountry had more representation than the back country
The Second Constitution After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a second constitution was written in SC with only a few changes: The President was now called the Governor Representation was slightly more equally distributed The Church of England was no longer the official state supported church of SC
SC Role in the New National Government The Continental Congress acted as the first national government SC was the only colony to meet its financial obligations to the Continental Congress Henry Laurens served as president and later on the committee that negotiated the Treaty of Paris for the government.
The Articles of Confederation Written after the signing of the Declaration of Independence to officially establish the first national government of the new United States. SC ratified (approved) the Articles quickly Other states did not until a compromise of ownership over western land was reached These lands were ceded to the National Government
Problems The Articles of Confederation were modeled after the Continental Congress with one vote per state. However, what was effective in a time of war found itself not effective once the war was over. poor funding state rights were greater than the National government; left it weak
More problems economic problems of indebtedness & depression nationally & in SC disagreements over interstate trade, currency and taxes This proved the Confederation government too weak to meet the needs of the Nation.
Change begins South Carolinian Charles Pinckney was an early advocate for a stronger national government. He chaired a committee of the Confederation Congress that recommended amendments that would strengthen the government. He also served on a committee trying to persuade other states to pay their obligations to the national government. Click here for SC Hall of Fame 13 min video of Charles Pinckney.
Shay’s Rebellion Backcountry rebellion in Massachusetts raised the fear of insurrection. Other states called for a meeting in Philadelphia to amend the articles and strengthen the National Government.