1. CH 9: THE CONFEDERATION AND THE CONSTITUTION

2. The Pursuit of Equality Reduced property-holding requirements for voting “Mr. and Mrs.” Irrespective of class status Primogeniture laws repealed Institute of slavery challenged Quakers: first antislavery society 1775 Importation of slaves abolished by 1803 Emancipation in northern states Freed by Masters Going strong in South! Discrimination laws free or slaved Barred from purchasing property, educating children, and interracial marriages So why not get rid of slavery? South would never agree to it! Women Allowed voting in some states and then said “sike!” Supported by Abigail Adams

3. 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

4. Republican Motherhood

5. Constitution Making in the States Sovereignty of states rests on authority of the people Each states draws their own constitution via constitutional convention Many were similar in context Contracts that defined power of govt with consent of the people Annual election of legislators Weak executive and judicial branches Legislatures given absolute power; not a good idea! Capitals moved to interior of states = less pretentious

6. Economic Crosscurrents Economic democracy = land ownership Manufacturing in U.S helps economy Some hardships due to British cutting off exports Higher trading with foreign nations East Asian markets opening Extravagance, speculation, and profiteering only for the elite Avg. citizen worse off

7. A Shaky Start Toward Union “natural rights?” Huh? Experimentation and innovation w/gov’t Economically speaking British goods at rock bottom prices = trouble for American industries What’s working so far? Similar constitutions and gov’t Political activism Great political leaders: GW, JA, TJ, JM, AH

8. Creating a Confederation What can we do? Coin money Raise armies/navies Erected tariff barriers Articles of Confederation Completely ratified only 8 months prior to victory Why? Fighting over western lands; some had it, others didn’t = $$$$ or not! Only after states w/land agreed to give it over to central gov’t was it ratified Central gov’t sells lands = seen as more powerful

9. Articles of Confederation: America’s First Constitution; Weak! Congress strongest No executive branch Judicial branch at state level only Each state has a single vote, irrespective of population; no bueno! 100% ratification on amendments; not going to happen! ¾ approval on other important issues Problems: Couldn’t regulate commerce Couldn’t enforce tax-collection; voluntary = no $ to pay the bills Some liked the idea of having a “loose gov’t” What could Fed. gov’t do? Make treaties Est. postal service

10. Landmarks in Land Laws Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance 1787 How to govern 60,000 people = application for statehood No slavery

11. The World’s Ugly Duckling Britain felt it would regain U.S. empire Control through commerce Smuggling increases by Americans Still on US territory Trading posts Fur trade w/Natives Friendly w/Natives Barrier against Canada Spain Controlled Mississippi R. Commerce decreased Claimed parts of Florida Befriended Natives against U.S. French Wants repayment of money from Rev. war U.S. needs respect from abroad

12. The Horrid Specter of Anarchy Raising money failed States don’t want to pay taxes Nat’l credit not good abroad States are placing tariffs on each other

13. Shay’s Rebellion

15. Annapolis Convention (It was in Maryland! 1786) 1. Meeting to call a meeting in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation 2. Need for a stronger federal government was apparent 3. Shay’s Rebellion (8/1786)

16. The Constitutional Convention (1787)

17. 1. Va Plan: a. Bicameral legislature b. Rep. based on pop. Who doesn’t like this plan? c. Senators elected by house d. House elected by popular vote

18. The Constitutional Convention (1787) 2. NJ Plan: All states represented equally Who doesn’t like this plan?

19. A. The Constitutional Convention (1787) 3. Great Compromise a. Equal rep. in Senate; elected by House b. House rep. based on population; elected by the people c. Regional interest: north – commerce and trade regulation south – slavery; 3/5 rule for representation d. Electoral College: delegates vote based on the number of representatives in Congress

20. Father of the Constitution James Madison

21. B. Ratifying the New Constitution 1. Federalists a. Support the constitution b. Strong federal gov’t. c. Think GW and wealthy d. Merchants, manufactures, large land owners e. Republic ideals can work in a big country, contrary to philosopher Montesquieu f. Wanted three branches of gov’t to represent the people - Many interest groups = no one interest group in holding power

22. Ratifying the New Constitution 2. Anti-federalists a. Favored strong local/state govt; small fed. Gov’t. b. Think TJ and farmers c. Explicit interpretation of constitution d. Legislative branch should represent the people e. Wanted Bill of Rights: i. James Madison ii. What did it stand for? TJ J. Madison