Super-short opening quiz – relax it doesn’t count!  1. What does egalitarian mean?  2. What does abolition mean? Which religious group in the US set up the first abolition group?  3. Name the one state that allowed women to vote – for a short time.  4. Our first constitution (before the one we have now) was called…..  5. Who was nicknamed the “father of the Constitution”?

Revolution or Evolution  The American revolution was not as radical as many in history (ex. French Revolution – off with their heads!!!)  For most Americans, life went on normally and many hardly noticed that a war was happening.  After the revolutions, many changes occurred in both government and the social order in America.

Changes – in the name of Equality!!  Indentured servitude ends by 1800  Inheritance laws overturned, property qualifications for voting reduced  Women could vote in NJ – not for long though – more educational opportunities for women  Trade unions start, boss not master, Mr. And Mrs. For everyone!

Slavery and Republican motherhood  Slavery abolished in most of the North, some freed in the South  Quakers start Anti-Slavery society but laws regarding Af-Amer. Very harsh everywhere  Women were responsible for raising the youth of America to be responsible citizens  If the country is run by a bunch of losers who rip off the public – blame their moms!

Church and State  After the revolution - the move began to “disestablish” churches. ( separate them from the government – not support them with tax $$)  the Anglican church became the Episcopal Church and was DISESTABLISHED everywhere.  The Congregational Church was mostly disestablished ( a few areas in NE hung on)  Thomas Jefferson et al wrote the statue of Religious Freedom for Virginia - model for the whole country

State Constitutions  1776 – the continental Congress tells each colony (state) to draft a constitution  Similarities with all: Bill of Rights, strong legislature, weak executive and judicial  More representation and influence from the western parts of states – results in capital moved inland further (NY, NC, PA)

Economic Changes  Lands confiscated from the British or from loyalists were sold and divided  Manufacturing increased (ever since war began)  Trade with Britain suffered but with other countries, trade improved,  The war left many states with big debts  Inflation was a problem in all states  Profiteers were now the new “rich”

A Shaky Start  Setting up a new government would not be easy  Negatives: loyalists gone, those left were more radical and prone to experiment. The economy was in a bad state  Positives: all states had constitutions and history of self-government. Great leaders: GW, TJ, JA, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton

Creating a Confederation  In 1777 the Continental Congress adopted our first constitution: The Articles of Confederation  Problem – all states have to ratify. The big issue – Western lands  7 states had land they owned in the “west” – (see map 172) 6 states had no extra land  Solution: all states cede their western lands to the Federal govt.  This land would be sold by the Fed. Govt. $$$ goes to all states. Eventually new state will be created.