Chapter 2 Forming a Nation

Chapter 2, Section 1 The Revolutionary Era

British Acts Sugar Act (1764) Stamp Act (1765) Colonists were forced to buy sugar from the British West Indies Samuel Adams “Taxation without representation” Stamp Act (1765) Required colonists to pay the British government for stamps on certain paperwork. First direct tax on the colonies.

British Acts Quartering Act (1765) Townshend Acts (1767) Colonists must provide food, drink, fuel, living space and transportation for British soldiers. Townshend Acts (1767) Gave officers the right to search any home for smuggled goods.

Boston Tea Party Townshend Act was repealed, but replaced with the Tea Act. This gave the British West India Company a monopoly.

The Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 5 colonists died British soldiers fired into a crowd. Colonists were infuriated

The First Congressional Congress (1774) 55 delegates from 12 colonies Agenda  How to respond to the Intolerable Acts - Issued Declaration of Rights, protesting British actions - Boycott certain goods - Armed force.

British general Thomas Gage was ordered to arrest Patriot leaders and capture weapons/gunpowder stored in Concord. April 18, 1775 700 British troops went to concord.

The British Are Coming! Paul Revere & William Dawes make their midnight ride to warn the Minutemen of approaching British soldiers.

Lexington & Concord – April 18,1775 8 Colonists were killed.

The Second Congressional Congress Not all delegates hated King George. Created an Army and put George Washington as leader. “Olive Branch Petition”

The Declaration of Independence Influenced by Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Paine’s argument was based on idea’s set forth by Locke (Natural Rights) 1776 Declaration of Independence was drafted. 3 main ideas 3 inalienable rights King George passed unfair laws and taxes. It was the right of the colonies to break away because King George violated the social contract.

? On the Eve of Revolution Britain Americans Advantages Disadvantages Larger Army with trained soldiers Huge fleet of ships Greater resources 1/3 Americans loyal to British Many Americans refused to fight for either side Americans didn’t have money to pay soldiers Americans did not have a strategic plan Many Native Americans supported the British Offered slaves freedom to support them Knew the Geography George Washington Fierce determination to fight for the ideals of liberty Disadvantages ?

Loyalist Strongholds

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training

Military Strategies The Americans The British Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an insurgent war  you alliance with one of Britain’s enemies

Britain’s “Southern Strategy” Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!] Good US General: Nathanial Greene

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: “The World Turned Upside Down!” LaFayette’s troops forced Cornwallis to the Yorktown Peninsula. Washington along with French troops helped surround the British forces. The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783

Creating a New Government Chapter 2 Section 2 Creating a New Government

The Articles of Confederation Colonials did not want a powerful central figure. Based on philosophy of John Locke Ignored rights for African Americans and Native Americans Central government had the power Set national policy Borrow money Coin money Set up post offices Establish an army Declare war.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation A unicameral Congress [9 of 13 votes to pass a law]. 13 out of 13 to amend. Representatives were frequently absent. Could not tax or raise armies. States could tax. No executive or judicial branches.

Shays’ Rebellion: 1786-7 Daniel Shays Western MA Small farmers angered by crushing debts and taxes.

Moving West Articles of Confederation did not talk about new states. Land Ordinance of 1785 Congress drew up a plan for the settling of lands to the west.

Drafting the Constitution Compromise Virginia Plan (Large State Plan) Gave power to national gov and large states Bicameral legislature State Reps based on population New Jersey Plan Gave equal power to national gov and states Unicameral legislature Each state has equal number of representatives.

Controversy Surrounding Population Enslaved African Americans made up 30-40% of some states populations. Three-Fifths Compromise Delegates agreed that all whites plus 3/5 of the slave population would be counted for representation. Native Americans would not be counted.

Branches of Government Legislative Branch Make laws Executive Branch President and departments that run gov. Judicial Branch Supreme Court Interprets laws as they relate to the constitution.

Federalist v. Antifederalist

The Federalist Papers Provided support for the Constitution 85 Essays Anonymous writer The author was Publius James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

Antifederalists wanted a Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights Antifederalists wanted a Bill of Rights To ensure personal liberties were protected.

Forging the New Republic Chapter 2, Section 3 Forging the New Republic

Washington Becomes President Cabinet was: Henry Knox- Secretary of War Thomas Jefferson- Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton- Secretary of the Treasury Edmund Randolph- Attorney General

Judiciary Act of 1789 Congress organized the judicial branch 6 person court with one Chief Justice.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan Government had no money to pay everyday expenses. The plan had three steps: Federal government should take on both state and national debt. The government should raise revenue by passing tariffs. The United States should create a national bank and a national mint to stabilize the banking system.

Strict constructionist vs loose constructionist Government only had powers listed in the constitution. Loose constructionist Said the constitution allowed for powers that were not directly spelled out in the constitution.

The French Revolution Democratic-Republicans (Antifederalists) Supported the French Revolution Federalists (Hamilton) Was upset that the revolution overthrew the government. President Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation (1793)

Jays Treaty and Pinckney’s Treaty Negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay Britain agreed to pay for American War ships that were seized. Many Americans thought this was an act of war and the British were let off too easy. Pinckney’s Treaty Settled boundary disputes with Spain

Whiskey Rebellion 1794 W. PA Farmers objected to Hamilton's tax on Whiskey. Pres. Washington sent the military to put the uprising down.