Building the New Nation: The Articles of Confederation

Evidence of Equality After the Revolutionary War: Reduction of property requirements for voting Social hierarchies less defined (Mr. and Ms. example) White servitude eliminated by 1800 Growth of trade organizations More separation of church and state, more religious freedom Growth of anti-slavery sentiment—Quakers form anti-slavery society, abolished in some Northern states

An Incomplete Equality No Southern states abolished slavery Discriminatory laws against blacks—free and slave Women—no political rights, still limited to women’s work.

Women in Post-Revolutionary America Many had fought in Revolution New Jersey’s constitution gave right to vote for short time. Some ideas changed—REPUBLICAN MOTHERHOOD Women central to creating “civic virtue”

Republican Motherhood

Abigail Adams Wife of John Adams Took a stand for women’s rights in her letters to her husband. During revolutionary war—saw implications for women: "I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. "Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands.

Abigail Adams ctnd. "Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation. "That your sex are naturally tyrannical is a truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute; but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up -- the harsh tide of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend.

State Constitutions Began drafting them in 1776 Ratified by special conventions All based on REPUBLICANISM Power of the people Contracts that defined powers of government Bills of Rights Power to legislatures, would be elected each year

Democratic State Legislatures More participation from people in poorer Western districts. Move of state capitals West.

Economic Changes ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY: Former land belonging to king or loyalists redistributed. Positives: More manufacturing, more trade with foreign nations. Negatives: Commerce with Britain cut off, speculation and profiteering, debt, INFLATION! Economic and social atmosphere unhealthy.

Trying to Establish a Union: Difficulties: People suspicious of authority, not a lot of unity, confusion, hard times after the war. Signs of hope: Colonies had similar governments, and philosophies about government. Great leaders too-Washington, Hamilton, Madison etc.

Agreeing to the Articles of Confederation Conflict over how to deal with new western lands. Finally unanimously approved in 1781—when Congress agreed land would be used for “common benefit” and would be turned into states.

“The Articles of Confusion” Very weak confederation. Mainly just legislative branch—no executive, courts mainly in states. Weaknesses: Difficult to pass laws—needed 9 states, 13 to amend Could not regulate commerce Couldn’t enforce tax collection BASICALLY—NATIONAL GOVERNMENT HAD NO POWER OVERT STATES!

Importance of Articles of Confederation Steppingstone to present Constitution. Clearly outlined powers of central government. First national written constitution—held the states together until they were ready for a more powerful Constitution.

Land Reform THE ACHIEVMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Land Ordinance of 1785—Provided method for dividing up and selling land in Old Northwest. Provided parcel for education. Northwest Ordinance of 1787—provided ways for territories to become states. Also, forbade slavery in Old Northwest.

States Under Northwest Ordinance Settling the issue of land was the success of the Articles.

Weaknesses of Articles: Problems with Foreign Relations Tensions with England—wouldn’t send minister, wouldn’t trade fairly, kept trading posts in North—used to harass settlers and keep them from attacking Canada. Congress under the Articles could no nothing to hurt British. Spanish control of Mississippi was also causing problems. Pirates from North Africa. All of this showed need for stronger central government.

Shay’s Rebellion and the Need for Stronger Government Lots of economic problems in 1780s. Couldn’t control commerce—states making own tariffs, printing money—all out of hand! Shay’s Rebellion Backcountry farmers, in debt Wanted states to print money, lighten taxes, help them keep property. Massachusetts raised army and crushed rebellion.

A Desire for Change Many fear effects of Shay’s Rebellion—esp. wealthy, conservative Wanted stronger central government. Many begin to clamor for new Constitution.

Multiple Choice Practice 16.Among the important changes brought about by the American Revolution was A. a. the abolition of slavery in all the states. B. b. a strong movement toward equality of property rights. C. c. the increasing separation of church and state. D. d. full equality and voting rights for women. 17.A major new political innovation that emerged in the Revolutionary era was A. a. the election of legislative representatives capable of voting on taxation. B. b. the shifting of power from the legislative to the executive branch of government. C. c. the idea of a written constitution drafted by a convention and ratified by direct vote of the people. D. d. the regulation of land sales by the courts.

The primary political obstacle to the formation of the first American government under the Articles of Confederation was A. a. disputes among the jealous states over control of western lands. B. b. disagreement over the relative power of Congress and the executive branch. C. c. conflict over the right of Congress to regulate trade and manufacturing. D. d. conflict over slavery between northern and southern states. 24.The greatest weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation was that A. a. it was unable to deal with the issue of western lands. B. b. it had no power to regulate commerce or collect taxes from the sovereign states. C. c. it had no power to establish relations with foreign governments. D. d. the legislative branch was unable to cope with the powerful executive branch.