SECESSION: AMERICA AT WAR CH. 5 AMSCO NOTES

15 year struggle to replace British system: Republicanism Economically – virtuous, independent property owners Equality (of opportunity) – stressed individual efforts, BUT all born with equal position Formation of state governments (1776) Written down Reduce gov. power and separate legislative and executive Massachusetts constitution model by 1780’s

Written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman Written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman Accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution Accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution Rejection of “tyranny” of monarchy by creating a central government that was WEAKER than state governments Rejection of “tyranny” of monarchy by creating a central government that was WEAKER than state governments State governments should be able to determine own policies free from restrictions of central gov State governments should be able to determine own policies free from restrictions of central gov

Fear of too much power in one hand Fear of too much power in one hand Confederation Congress – WEAK!!!, unimportant Confederation Congress – WEAK!!!, unimportant States sovereign States sovereign National gov – coordinating mechanisms for pressing nat’l/international needs National gov – coordinating mechanisms for pressing nat’l/international needs Conduct war Conduct war Borrow and issue money Borrow and issue money

WEAK NESSES OF THE A of C

The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed The Northwest Ordinance was passed The Northwest Ordinance was passed Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties

 Land Ordinance of 1785 Land divided into 36-square-mile townships Sold based on 1 square mile - section 16 for schools  Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Population reached 5,000 free men- could form a territory Population reached 60,000 free men- write a constitution and form a state With Congressional approval Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio

The Northwest Ordinance provided an orderly settlement process in the West The Northwest Ordinance provided an orderly settlement process in the West Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) It promised It promised no slavery no slavery education education freedom of religion freedom of religion trial by jury trial by jury

Daniel Shays – former captain in Continental army Daniel Shays – former captain in Continental army Demanded: paper money, tax relief, relocation of capital, no imprisonment for debt Demanded: paper money, tax relief, relocation of capital, no imprisonment for debt Prevent collection of debt by closing court houses Prevent collection of debt by closing court houses SIGNIFICANCE: illustrated the weakness of the AOC and prompted the drafting of the Constitution SIGNIFICANCE: illustrated the weakness of the AOC and prompted the drafting of the Constitution