1. Ch 9: The Confederation and the Constitution
“This example of changing the Constitution by assembling the wise men of the state, instead of assembling armies, will be worth as much to the world as the former examples we have given it.”
~Thomas Jefferson

2. Things to consider:
Was the American Revolution a radical change?
What made the Revolution an accelerated evolution?
How did the Patriots “normal” life carry on?
How did life change for the Patriots?
Essential Questions for review from Ch 8:
What is revolution?
Was the American Revolution revolutionary?
What price freedom?

3. Pursuit of Equality What’s in a name?
Changes in addressing people (Mr., Mrs., Boss)
Even indentured servants has raised status
Social Democracy
-Growth of trade organizations
-Changed inheritance laws
Separation of Church & State
-Anglican Church ostracized (why?)
Renamed the Protestant Episcopal Church

4. Pursuit of Equality (cont’d)
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Written By T. Jeff
Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause
Basically, the forerunner to the 1st amendment
Slavery Challenged
Philadelphia Quakers=first antislavery society
Continental Congress (1774) called for abolishment of slave trade
Northern states abolished slavery outright
Some Virginian plantation owners freed their slaves
Slavery/Racial Issue Unsolved
States south of PA refused to abolish slavery
Harsh discrimination for black and freed slaves, even in North
EX: no interracial marriages; barred from certain jobs, not allowed to educate their children, cannot purchase property

5. Pursuit of Equality (cont’d)
Why did the Founding Fathers refuse to eliminate the blemish of slavery?
Think about:
Political
Intellectual
Geographic
Technological
Economic
Art
Religion
Social/Cultural
Read bottom of page 167

6. Pursuit of Equality (cont’d)
Women’s rights
Served in the military
Short-term voting rights in 1776
Reasons for Women’s restrictions:
Mothers are the epitome of unselfishness
Should be home educating children
Should be a model of “republican” behavior
Thus was born the “Republican Motherhood”
Educational opportunities arise
But only so the women would cultivate better republican behavior from their spouses, daughters, & sons
Read and analyze p. 169
Think about how this new “role” for women was essential in holding the fragile nation together.

7. Constitution Making in the States
Continental Congress of 1776:
Colonies draft shall their own constitutions
Constitution writers tirelessly attempt to keep the republican spirit in effect
What does this mean?
Some Common Features:
-Defined powers of government
-Authority from the people
-Written documents meant to be superior to the whims of legislative changes without consent
-Bill of Rights
-Election of legislators
-weak executive and judicial branches (why was this important?)

8. Character of the State Legislators
Many members from poor backgrounds
Very different from pre-Revolution period
Also had new powers unknown to them before
Members had tremendous influence in moving state capitals
Why would this be important and/or necessary?
Also, why would this make conservatives verrry uncomfortable?
TJ said, “173 despots [in a legislature] would surely be as oppressive as one’”
What did he mean?

9. Economic Crosscurrents
States take back land owned by the crown
Loyalists’ holding split up and sold
Good imported from Britain cut off
Yankees make their own goods
Industry pops up
Ingenious use of natural resources for manufacturing
Drawbacks:
-American ships barred from British & British West Indies harbors
-Fisheries lose money
Benefits:
-Trade w/foreign nations freely
-Forged relationships with foreigners (like China)

10. Economic Crosscurrents (cont’d)
Downsides:
War spawned huge deficit and inflation
States borrowed more than they could repay (sounds like Illinois, huh?)
Class “switch”
Previous wealthy now destitute
Previous destitute now wealthy
Why does this make an unhealthy economic and social atmosphere?

11. A Shaky Start Toward Union
Responsibility for creating a completely new form of government
A lasting union was far from bright
“Natural Rights” created an atmosphere of distrust among those without power
Allegiance to the common cause off to a shaky start
British manufacturers manage to flood the American market with their goods, despite the embargo
Yet, there’s still hope…
-Similar governmental structures proved a bond
-Political life possible, not just the elite
-Brilliant political minds (GW; TJ; BF; JA)

12. Creating a Confederation
1776, Congress appoints a committee to draft a written constitution for the nation
Enter: Articles of Confederation
Adopted in 1777
Not ratified in all states until 1781
A few months before the victory at Yorktown
Learn more:

13. Creating a Confederation (cont’d)
Why did it take so long to ratify?
Ownership of western lands in question
Land-hungry states claim since all fought for independence, land distribution should be more fair
Land-rich states could sell extraordinary amount of land to help pay their debts
Land-hungry states would need to tax themselves heavily to pay their debts
See map on page 172
What are your views on the land question?

14. Creating a Confederation (cont’d)
One solution: turn over all western lands to the central government
Not all states agreed (unanimous approval necessary)
Maryland wouldn’t cave until NY ceded its western claims
Congress promises to give the areas for the “common good”
Also promises to make the new lands “republican” states, not colonies (what does this mean?) p 171

15. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
What it means:
A process for admitting these territories to the Union as states.
Each territory was to be governed by Congress until it contained 5,000 free, white males.
Settlers could vote whether to become a permanent state.
The Northwest Ordinance also abolished slavery in the territories
Granted freedom of religion and the right to trial by jury.
Although the ordinance promised decent treatment to Native Americans, it did not.