The Confederation and Constitution 1776-1790 Chapter 9 AMH2010

Themes Conditions that led to the Articles of Confederation. Government under the articles. Shay’s Rebellion Constitutional Convention.

Changing Political Sentiments “All men are created equal?” Social democracy was stimulated by the growth of trade organizations for artisans laborers. Protracted fight for separation of church and state. Antislavery movement. Huge concern for human rights! However, No states south of Pennsylvania abolished slavery, and in the North and South, the law harshly discriminated against freed black and slaves. Civic Virtue.

New State Constitutions In the 1776, the Constitutional Congress called upon the colonies to draft new state constitutions. --Massachusetts set the standard for the fed. Convention. -- Written Fundamental Law. Legislature as most democratic institution. Capitals shift west.

Economic Troubles Good news - Development of domestic industry. - Tory land sold. Bad news - British trade boycott. - Runaway inflation. - Unsound currency.

Articles of Confederation 1777– Articles adopted by Congress. 1781– Articles ratified by all thirteen states. IMPORTANT– 13 independent states cooperating on some things. - foreign policy - Strong legislative branch, but no executive or judiciary. Weak government, but some successes. - outlined general powers of the central government. - making treaties - establishing a postal service

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Settled land Northwest of Ohio territory. To be sold. 60,000 people had to be in territory to be considered for statehood. Slavery prohibited. Basis for future expansion. Proceeds were put toward the national debt.

Trouble in Paradise 13 separate financial systems with tariffs and currency. 2/3 approval for important measures. Unanimous consent for amendments. Articles are a joke to Europe.

Shay’s Rebellion 1786 Revolutionary War vets losing their farms to foreclosures and tax seizures. Got behind in payments due to their war service. Demanded assistance from the state colonial governments. Took up arms against Massachusetts, some small battles. Rebellion was crushed. Faith shaken, fear of anarchy. Conservatives wanted to protect their property.

The Constitutional Convention May 1787– Convention met in Philadelphia. Conference of political giants: Washington, Hamilton, Franklin, and Madison. All states were represented except Rhode island. George Washington was appointed chairman unanimously. Delegates were male, wealthy, nationalistic, and around 42 years old. 19 out of the 55 in attendance owned slaves. No poor social groups were represented. Mobocracy

Compromises Scrap the articles. Representation, N.J. versus Virginia plans. Great Compromise– every state gets 2 senators regardless of population, while House of Representatives was based on population. Checks and balances - 3 branches of government. - Strong executive - National judiciary. 3/5 compromise– slaves were 3/5 of a person.

Ratifying the Constitution September 1787, Convention finished. Only 42 of the original 55 remained. Three of the 42 refused to sign the Constitution. State ratifying conventions– ¼ males voted. Must sell the idea to the states - Federalist Papers - Bill of Rights

The Constitution June 21, 1788. Nine states ratified. Holdouts: VA, NY, NC, and RI. North Carolina had a convention but didn’t even take a vote. Rhode Island didn’t bother at all. New government sworn in March 1789.