Let Us Ponder… Were the American colonist justified in declaring their independence from Britain?

And Early U.S. Government 1776 - 1787 Revolution And Early U.S. Government 1776 - 1787

Divided Sentiment Patriots Loyalists (Tories): NJ, NY & Georgia NE states & Virginia Disorganized, poorly equipped Geo. Washington’s leadership Loyalists (Tories): NJ, NY & Georgia Fought with Br. Or aided them with food or arms Native Americans: supported both sides Weakened by divisions

Managing the War Responsibility of the Continental Congress Supplying troops: shortage of guns, ammo Manufactured some, picked up in battle European suppliers Financing war States contributed some (never enough) Sold bonds & borrowed from Europeans Printed money

Washington & His Generals

Managing War (cont.) Raising an army: States controlled militias 6,000-10,000 troops, initial surge of volunteers 1775 Continental Army led by G. Washington Low food supply, low $, high losses+ low morale

Br. Advantages Largest navy, best armed, endless supply of resources Disciplined Population: 9 million Gov’t and military highly structured Americans must form a gov’t AND an army while fighting

American Advantages This is our soil Deeply committed to cause of independence French military and financial aid made HUGE difference Turning Point: Battle of Saratoga

Major Conflicts

Effect of War on Society Aristocracy weakened: Loyalists fled Church & religion: no longer tax supported Anglicans lost support Women: kept home front going; still second-class citizens Slavery: most northern slaves freed Native Americans: weakened & divided

Creating a New Government State Governments And a National Government

Left-Over Fears Feared tyranny: limit power & separation of power Feared national authority: power to states Feared unwritten traditions: written laws

State Governments Governor: limited power Written constitutions w/bill of rights State court system Expand voter participation: Reduce qualifications

The Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) Approved by the states in 1781 Congress could: Declare war Raise an army Sign treaties Established a weak national gov’t Most of the power lay with the states The Articles established a government that: Had only a legislative branch Did have a meaningless executive Reps sent from each state 1 state 1 vote = all states are equal

Achievements Decentralized govt Negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1783 Passage of Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Process for how a territory becomes a state Helps to settle and organize new territory to Miss. R.

Problems Articles could not: Tax = had to ask states for money Each state received only one vote Passage of laws must receive 9 of 13 votes All states had to ratify changes to the Articles No National Currency No president to lead the nation No judicial branch

Problems under Articles Economic Problems America owed $ to foreign nations and Americans Under the Articles the gov’t could not raise taxes to pay off debts. States printed money that was not backed by gold = useless States made economic agreements with foreign nations Worries The state governments were too powerful The government could not control economic problems The government could not raise an army Shays’ Rebellion

Annapolis Convention (1786) 12 representatives from 5 states [NY, NJ, PA, DE, VA] 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.

Decision to Hold A Convention Original Purpose: Who was there: President of Convention: Recording Secretary: Two key decisions: