The Confederation and the Constitution 1776-1790

Creating a Confederation Biggest issue: Who controls western lands? Some states claim land to the Pacific. VA and NY compromised by relinquishing their claims to western lands Articles of Confederation was finished in 1777 and ratified by the last state in 1781.

State Claims to Western Lands

Articles of Confederation Structures Powers One body (unicameral) Each state has 1 vote Nine out of 13 votes to pass a law 13 out of 13 votes to amend (change) Make war Make treaties Send representatives to foreign countries Borrow money COULD NOT: tax or regulate commerce – or enforce laws

How will the land in the Ohio Valley be divided? Land Ordinance of 1785 Townships = 6 sq miles - would be surveyed then divided into sections equaling one square mile. The sections were to be sold in lots of 640 acres at no less than $1 an acre. The revenue from the sale of one section for each township would be used to develop public education

The United States in 1787

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 NW territory would be divided into 3-5 separate territories Methodical process to statehood Unorganized territories would be overseen by Congress Once population reached 5,000 it could be organized into a territory. Residents then elect members to state legislature and send delegate to Congress once population hit 60,000 a constitution would be written and territory could apply for statehood.

Problems with the AoC Financial Foreign Domestic How to pay war debts? Foreign British still maintained troops in NW Territory European countries did not view US as stable Domestic Border disputes between states Shay’s Rebellion

Shays’ Rebellion: 1786-1787 Daniel Shays was disgruntled over farmland mortgages and increased taxes – small farmers wanted states to print more money Motivated citizens to desire a stronger federal government.

Annapolis Convention (1786) Attempting to fix AOC problems 12 representatives from 5 states [NY, NJ, PA, DE, VA] met in Annapolis, Maryland GOAL  address barriers that limited trade and commerce between the states. Not enough states were represented to make any real progress. Sent a report to the Congress to call a meeting of all the states to meet in Philadelphia to examine areas broader than just trade and commerce.

Constitutional Convention 55 delegates from 12 states - mid-summer Philadelphia Father of the Constitution - James Madison No Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, or Sam Adams (fearful of power increase in central gov’t). TJ & John Adams in Europe Why meet? Wanted to preserve the union Wanted to protect democracy Wanted to curb rebellions

Issues Representation Slavery Trade Virginia Plan/New Jersey Plan The Great Compromise Slavery Three-Fifths Compromise Slave importation to end in 1808 Trade Commercial Compromise

Safeguards for Conservatism Powers Separation of power into 3 branches President elected by electoral college Ratification Adopted by Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787 9 out of 13 states required for ratification

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Strongholds at the End of the War

Federalists Support mainly from coastal & urban areas and from upper classes - merchants, financiers, shippers, planters though not all upperclass citizens were Federalists Washington, Hamilton, Madison, and Franklin They favored strong central gov’t to maintain peace and stability and to strengthen the Union

Anti-federalists Support from mainly backcountry & agricultural areas, debtors, and people philosophically opposed to a strong central gov’t Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason Oppose a central gov’t that did not guarantee protection of individual rights

Federalist Papers By Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison Man is corruptible, he cannot always be trusted to govern himself Prevent tyranny of majority and tyranny of minority No abuse b/c delegated powers in Constitution Swayed New York to ratify the Constitution

Bill of Rights June 21, 1788, the Constitution was officially adopted after nine states had ratified it. Many states agreed to ratify only if individual rights were added Federalists say unnecessary since Congressional members elected No way say anti-federalists: Basic civil rights need to be listed Compromise was: BILL OF RIGHTS ADDED TO CONSTITUTION