The “Virtuous Republic” Classical view of a model republic “City on a hill” [John Winthrop] Ideal citizen [Cincinnatus] 1.Govt. gets its authority from the citizens. 2.A selfless, educated citizenry. 3.Elections should be frequent. 4.Govt. should guarantee individual rights & freedoms. 5.Govt.’s power should be limited [checks & balances]. 6.The need for a written Constitution. 7.“E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of many, one”] 8.An important role for women raise good, virtuous citizens. [“Republican Womanhood”]. Enlightenment Thinking
TTTo To what extent did Republican ideals take hold in American culture and politics following the revolution?
Republican Ideals Equality Freedom Consent of the Govern (State Sovereignty)
I. Cultural
Equality A.Changed old medieval cultural ways 1. No Titles (Mr. + Mrs. Reserved by the wealthy now used by common men + women) 2. No Orders (Masters became bosses, no indentured servitude) 3. Inheritances (no more primogeniture where the eldest son is entitled to the land) 4. Religious Reform (Separation of church and state)
Freedom 1.End of the Slave Trade (1774, Requests made during the 1 st Continental Congress. Some states abolish it) 2. Anti-Slavery Society (1775, Quakers establish the first abolitionist movement)
Self Government 1. State Constitutions In 1776, the 2 nd Continental Congress encouraged states to create their own Constitutions. (Constitutions are contracts = consent of the govern).
II. Political
Est. of the Articles of Confederation 1.Ratified in Strong States rights 3.Weak central government 4.No executive or judiciary 5.No power to tax 6.1 state = 1 vote 7.Unicameral legislature
8. Nine of 13 vote on bills 9. Unanimous (13/13) vote on amendments 10. Can make treaties 11. Can establish Post Offices
Strengths of the Art. of Confed. 1.Ended the American Revolution 2.Land Ordinance of 1785 (Land sales to pay off debt) 3.Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (Territorial rules for admittance into the Union = Statehood)
Weaknesses of the Articles 1.Poor foreign relations (some states ignore treaties) 2.Britain- disputes over Canadian border 3.Spain – closes water rights on the Mississippi River. 4.France – demands repayment for war loans and restricts trade in the West Indies.
Weakness 5. Internal Rebellions Shay’s rebellion. The Confederate government relied on the Massachusetts militia to suppress the rebellion. The militia was paid for by Boston merchants.
Results / Effects The Constitutional Convention 1787