A Balance of Power? The Post-Revolutionary Government: a Study in Fairness Mrs. Muench Casanova APUSH

The Articles of Confederation After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. was recognized as an independent nation, but : After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. was recognized as an independent nation, but : It was only a loose confederation of states It was only a loose confederation of states Not yet a sovereign nation Not yet a sovereign nation Sovereign: he who holds power to govern Sovereign: he who holds power to govern Self-governing, independent Self-governing, independent

Class Conflict After the war, inflation and depression After the war, inflation and depression Trade was a mess Trade was a mess Articles of Confederation useless Articles of Confederation useless Different states with 13 different currencies – disastrous Different states with 13 different currencies – disastrous Enter class conflict Enter class conflict Working –class frontier men Bourgeoisie (upper middle class) Farmers Land owners Inner-citylaborers Slave holding gentry Servant class International merchants Smaller merchants versus

Democracy in Massachusetts? Massachusetts passes state constitution in 1780 Massachusetts passes state constitution in 1780 Bans landless men from voting or holding office Bans landless men from voting or holding office Some of the barred men are veterans of the American Revolution who are still waiting for promised bonuses Some of the barred men are veterans of the American Revolution who are still waiting for promised bonuses Bad economy = farms are repossessed Bad economy = farms are repossessed Farmers are angry – militia called in for order Farmers are angry – militia called in for order

Shay’s Rebellion Daniel Shay leads 700 farmers and working class people on a march around Boston Daniel Shay leads 700 farmers and working class people on a march around Boston Sam Adams (once a revolutionary himself) draws up the Riot Act Sam Adams (once a revolutionary himself) draws up the Riot Act Authorities can jail anyone without a trial Authorities can jail anyone without a trial “Revolt against a monarch is one thing, but against a republic it is a crime punishable by death.” “Revolt against a monarch is one thing, but against a republic it is a crime punishable by death.” What is wrong with this statement?!?!? What is wrong with this statement?!?!?

Shay’s Rebellion Farmers are angry before Riot Act, after Riot Act they are Jerry Springer angry Farmers are angry before Riot Act, after Riot Act they are Jerry Springer angry Fighting breaks out b/w farmers and army paid by wealthy Boston merchants Fighting breaks out b/w farmers and army paid by wealthy Boston merchants Casualties on both sides Casualties on both sides Political leaders ask themselves, “Is there too much democracy?” Political leaders ask themselves, “Is there too much democracy?”

Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787 May 25, 1787 Met in Philadelphia Met in Philadelphia All but Rhode Island sent a delegate All but Rhode Island sent a delegate Four months to draw up Constitution Four months to draw up Constitution Extremely Secretive Extremely Secretive

The Delegates Delegates were “the well-bred, the well-fed, the well-read and the well- wed.” Not representative of the American population Over 50% college educated Over 50% were lawyers Owned 1,4000 slaves Three of the delegates were the largest slaveholders in the entire country (George Mason of VI,John Rutledge of S.C, Gorge Washington of VI I’m hot! Thomas Jefferson

Our Founding Fathers Had Issues Representation Representation Big v. small states Big v. small states Slavery Slavery North v. South North v. South Framer’s Problems: Framer’s Problems: Believed in Republican govn’t (cant’s trust anyone to be king) Believed in Republican govn’t (cant’s trust anyone to be king) Didn’t believe in “popular govn’t “(too much power to the poor) Didn’t believe in “popular govn’t “(too much power to the poor) Believed in private wealth (but knew the rich would take advantage) Believed in private wealth (but knew the rich would take advantage) Result: a “mixed” government Result: a “mixed” government

The Constitution The best form of gov. was a legislature elected by the people (the poor, blacks and females not considered “people”) Re-elections every 4-6 years to keep the gov. “fresh” Gave themselves power to tax, regulate trade, make war, etc.

President elected indirectly through Electoral College Senators elected indirectly by state legislatures (until 1913 with the passage of the 17 th Amendment). Supreme Court appointed by the President House of Representatives was the only DIRECT election by American citizens. That’s one half of one third of the new American government was directly elected “by the people, for the people!”

By the People, For the People? On the other hand…who do you want making your laws? On the other hand…who do you want making your laws? The rich and educated or the poor and ignorant? The rich and educated or the poor and ignorant? With a partner, discuss your thesis to essential question #4: With a partner, discuss your thesis to essential question #4: “The U.S. Constitution was a document written by the people, for the people.” Assess the validity of this statement. “The U.S. Constitution was a document written by the people, for the people.” Assess the validity of this statement. Have you changed your mind? Have you changed your mind? Why or why not? Why or why not?