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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Washington & His Generals

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Major Conflicts

10. 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

11. Creating a New Government
State Governments
And a
National Government

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

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

14. 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

15. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

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