Convention & Compromise

Vocabulary Depression Manumission Proportional Compromise

Convention & Compromise By 1786 most Americans saw the Confederation was not working. Washington- The United States is “13 sovereignties pulling against each other.”

Convention & Compromise 1787 Washington joined other delegates from 11 states gathering in Philadelphia to address the problems of the Confederation except RI decided not to participate. The purpose was to revise the Articles of Confederation

Convention & Compromise In the last years of the Revolution, the British blockade constricted the American economy to barely 30% of its pre-War size.

Convention & Compromise ECONOMIC DEPRESSION After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. went through a major economic downturn. Depression- A period where economic activity slowed and unemployment increased.

Convention & Compromise Economic Depression When the fighting came to an end in 1781, the economy was in a shambles. Exports to Britain were restricted. Further, British law prohibited trade with Britain's remaining sugar colonies in the Caribbean. Thus, two major sources of colonial-era commerce were eliminated.

Convention & Compromise ECONOMIC DEPRESSION During the war Southern plantations were damaged and rice exports dropped sharply. Trade fell when the British cut off trade routes to the West Indies markets as said earlier

Convention & Compromise ECONOMIC DEPRESSION Because there was little money available to pay foreign debts, a serious currency shortage resulted.

Convention & Compromise DIFFICULT TIMES FOR FARMERS American farmers suffered because they were unable to sell their goods. Farmers had problems paying requests for money the states had levied to meet war debts.

Convention & Compromise DIFFICULT TIMES FOR FARMERS American farmers, because they had difficulty paying, were thrown in jail. Farmers had their land taken away to pay debts. Protests grew into revolts.

Convention & Compromise SHAY’S REBELLION Resentment by farmers grew strong, especially in MA. They viewed the gov. as just another form of tyranny. They wanted the gov. to issue paper money, and make new policies to relieve debtors.

Convention & Compromise SHAY’S REBELLION In 1786 angry farmers, led by Daniel Shays, a former Continental Army Capt., forced courts in Western MA to close, so judges could not confiscate the land of farmers.

Convention & Compromise SHAY’S REBELLION In 1787 Shays led more than 1,000 farmers towards the federal arsenal in Springfield, MA to get weapons and ammo. The state militia ordered the advancing farmers to halt and fired over their heads.

Convention & Compromise SHAY’S REBELLION The farmers did not stop, and the militia fired again, killing 4 farmers, scattering the remaining farmers. This uprising frightened many Americans that the gov. could not control unrest or prevent violence.

Convention & Compromise SHAY’S REBELLION With the rebellion quelled Washington wondered- “Mankind-When left to themselves, are unfit for their own gov.” Jefferson saw it differently- “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.”

Convention & Compromise The Issue of Slavery The Revolutionary War brought the contradiction between liberty & slavery to the forefront. Between 1776 & 1786, 11 states except SC & GA outlawed or heavily taxed the importation of slaves.