1. After American Independence
Articles of Confederation; the Constitutional Convention of 1787; the Constitution

2. After the Revolutionary War
The Patriots feared creating another tyrannical or abusive parliament, so they refused to invest too much power into the Union (central government)
1776, states created constitutions to establish governments
Republics, governments in which the people elect their representatives
Patriots disagreed on whether to give too much power to the people
Some distrusted the ability of the common people
The more democratic Patriots wanted strong legislatures, and a weak executive (governor)
Preferred a unicameral legislature—a single house of legislature with elected representatives
Pennsylvania and Georgia
Most states preferred more traditional constitutions, with a strong executive
Bicameral legislature—two houses (Senate and House) to balance power of wealthy and common voters
Massachusetts and New York

3. Democracy Begins
Although governments differed, the power of the common man was dramatically expanded
Voters chose the members of both houses, rather than just the members of the lower house
In almost all of the states, voters also elected governors—something only two colonies had done
Voting rights were still debated; should the right to vote be extended to all free men? Even those with little or no property?
Pennsylvania opened voting to all men over 21 who paid any taxes
However, most states maintained colonial property requirements to vote (mainly because most white men owned at least a farm)
John Adams warned against letting poor people vote  he opposed political equality
No women and no slaves

4. “Tyranny of the Majority”
Over time, in most states, the most democratic institution—the House of Representatives—gained power at the expense of Senate and the governor
Mid-1780s, concentration of legislative power troubled conservative Patriots who feared “tyranny of the majority”
Question: What do you think they mean by “tyranny of the majority?” How do you think could affect legislation in the states?

5. Articles of Confederation
1777, Continental Congress drafted the original constitution for the union of the states, known as the Articles of Confederation
Confederation = a league or alliance of states that agree to work together
Loose confederation of 13 states rather than a strong centralized government
Reflected the principles of the Declaration Independence
States retained its sovereignty (its right to govern itself)
The new federal government had a congress of delegates chosen by state legislatures
Each state a single vote
No president or executive branch
Instead executive powers were spread among several committees of congressmen

6. Articles of Confederation
Federal congress’s powers were limited by the Art. Confed.
They could declare and conduct war; negotiate peace; foreign affairs; and administer the relations with Natives
They could not levy taxes  the federal government had to rely on contributions from the states (which was unreliable)
Amendments had to be approved by all 13 states *why is this problematic?

7. The Northwest Territory
In addition to establishing the Articles of Confederation, the United States had to deal with the territory they gained located between the north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi
Congress decided to sell the land to raise revenue
However, by 1784 hundreds of settlers had already moved on to the land
Settlers experienced frequent conflict with Native Americans
Federal officers could not afford to fight wars due to unregulated settlement
Also, fear of secession
Land Ordinance of 1785 –a program designed to distribute the public lands
Grids divided the land into hundreds of townships
However, the price and size of the land favored the wealthy
To obtain land settlers often purchased land from speculators

8. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
This ordinance assigned government for the western territory
Developed by Thomas Jefferson
Territorial government led by a governor, secretary, and three judges
The ordinance also allowed for territories to eventually gain statehood
With a population of 5000+, states could establish an assembly
With a population of 60,000+, the territory could request admission into the Union as a state equal to the original 13
Different from the British model of colonial subordination
The Northwest Territory would eventually become the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota
It also barred slavery in the new territories
This meant states entered into the Union as free states, not slave states
This alarmed slaves states in the south, because they wanted to expand their territories
Do you think this will be a problem later

9. Problems with Expansion and Europe
Resistance by Native Americans being pushed off of their land
Spain disliked American independence and feared territorial expansion threatened their colonies of Louisiana and Mexico
Spain forbade American trade in New Orleans
Western settlers were angered by Congress’s attempt to make a commercial trade agreement with Spain that would undermine their trade
Britain still bitter about their loss wanted to make America pay for its independence
British rejected free trade and renewed traditional mercantilism; this meant that America could only trade with the British Empire under rules that favored British interests
America could import British goods, but could not export to Britain or its colonies
Congress was too weak to coordinate a common front against Britain’s mercantile policy

10. Events that led to Constitution and New Government
Economic weaknesses
Congress could not establish a common currency; nor could it regulate interstate commerce; or levy taxes
Thus, they had to rely on contributions from the states; but, the states barely contributed 1/6 of what Congress requested
The states had bankrupted the nation
Shay’s Rebellion
Weak American economy led to a wave of debt collections between merchants, farmers, and importers
Farmers were unable to pay debts due to decrease in prices of crops  the courts attempted to repay debt through foreclosure
Massachusetts (1786), farmers took up arms to shut down the courts to block any foreclosure hearings and higher taxes
Daniel Shay led farmers to seize weapons from the Springfield Armory and attempted to shut the courts

11. Events that led to Constitution and New Government
Elected leaders in MA insisted that the new Republic could not survive if people violently interfered with the courts
The Mass. Army suppressed the rebellion
In other states relief was provided to debtors
States increased availability of cash currency so that debtors could pay debts easier
Debt collectors called this excessive democracy; they thought the government was too responsive to the opinion of the public

12. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

13. The Constitution
Articles of Confederation needed to be amended, but not an easy task (ratification by all 13 states was required)
Instead of amending the Art. Of Confed., delegates created entirely new constitution
May 1787, the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia
2 major changes needed to be made to Articles: 1) regulation of interstate commerce and trade; and 2) Congress’s right to tax the states
12 of the 13 states sent delegates
Also known as the Federal Convention
The proceedings were held in secret so delegates could speak freely
Delegates included: Alexander Hamilton (NY); James Madison (VA); and Benjamin Franklin (PA)
All delegates were all white males; many wealthy, and most of them lawyers

14. Two Points of View for the New Constitution
Alexander Hamilton, conservative principles
Wanted to maintain influences of British Constitution and government
Aristocracy and monarchy
President should hold office for life
Proposed creating a government with 3 branches; bicameral legislature
James Madison, favored republicanism
A strong nation could rescue the states from excessive government
Insisted that a large and strong republic
The Virginia Plan (proposed by Madison)
The New Jersey Plan (proposed by William Patterson of NJ)