Shaping a New Nation

Americans Debate Republicanism Challenge to create a new government Most people had allegiance to colony they lived in War gave all people a common goal After war -> not so much Needed to balance interests of states with that of the nation

Unity Through a Republic Democracy vs. Republic Dem. gave to much power to uneducated people Republicanism -> government based on consent of the people Nation would only succeed if people put nations well-being over personal interests Nation would benefit from own interests Allow people to pursue their own economic and political interests

State Constitutions States create their own Constitutions Most states limit power of government officials Garunteed specific rights to people Freedom of speech, religion, and press Differed views in voting rights Blacks generally not allowed to vote Some states give all white males voting rights Some states still use property as a must Women still not able to vote

Continental Congress Debates Continental Congress tries to draft a constitution for the nation 3 basic questions had to be answered Representation by population or by state? States unequal in size, wealth, and population Each state would have one vote regardless of population Can supreme power be divided? Articles of Confederation (alliance) developed -> two levels of gov’t shared fundamental powers States had power over some issues, fed. Gov’t over others Who gets Western lands? Fear of overpowering smaller states Maryland would not accept Articles until all Western land claims were given up to federal gov’t

Governing Western Lands How to govern land West of Appalachians and north of the Ohio River Land Ordinance of 1787 Survey plan Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Divided land into territories Set requirements for admission of new states Congress would appoint a territorial governor 5,000 + voting residents -> wrote temporary constitution that had to be approved by Congress + elect their own governor Total population 60,000+ free inhabitants = write a state constitution that had to be approved by Congress

Problems in the Confederation Economic issues (taxation and national debt) Political issues (nature of Congressional representation) Foreign relations problems Biggest problem = Confederation lacked unity Each state functioned independently (pursued own interests) Each state only had one vote Amendments to Articles must be approved by EVERY state

Huge debt after Revolutionary War $190 million Borrowed money from other countries and began printing money (inflation) Proposed plan to tax imports to repay loans Rhode Island says no Borrowers vs. Lenders People who loaned money favored high taxes but caused farmers to go bankrupt Lawsuits had farmland taken and animals were sold Borrowers want more paper money printed Foreign relations problems Britain refuses to evacuate troops from Great Lakes region U.S. could not pay back British merchants and would not compensate Loyalists for lands lost during war Spain poses problem on Western U.S. border (expansion)