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Making War and Republican Governments 1776 – 1789 Check out the description for videos that match up with the new curriculum. An www.Apushreview.com production www.Apushreview.com
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Strengths Population (7.5 million to 2.5 million colonists) Monetary wealth Naval forces – strongest in the world Professional and experienced army armed with 6' muskets with bayonets attached 50,000 British 30,000 Hessians 30, 000 American Loyalists Weaknesses Unrest in Ireland drew attention as well British government inept and confused, led by King George III and Lord North Lack of united British desire to crush American cousins. Whigs cheered American victories. Military difficulties Second-rate generals Brutal treatment of soldiers (one lashed 800 times for striking an officer) Inadequate, poor provisions (old, rancid, wormy). Undernourished Need for clear victory. A draw would be a colonial victory. Armies were 3000 miles from home. Orders took months to reach the front. Vast colonial territory (1000 by 600 miles) to subdue. No urban nerve center to conquer. *** Note that these notes are NOT from your textbook ***
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Strengths Outstanding leadership Military--Washington Diplomatic--Franklin European imports--Lafayette, Kosciuzko, Von Steuben Colonists fighting defensively Self-sustaining agricultural base Colonists were better marksmen (Americans accurate at 200 yds.) Moral advantage. Americans were supporting a just cause with a positive goal. Weaknesses Colonies were badly organized, disunited for war. Continental Congress debated, but took little action and exercised less leadership Could not agree on taxes so money for the military effort was unreliable No written constitution (Articles of Confederation) not adopted until 1781. Colonies were jealous of Congress, each other's region Economic difficulties Little metallic currency available Fearful of taxation, Congress issued virtually worthless Continental currency Inflation led to increased prices, desertions from army. Limited military supplies Inadequate firearms and powder Clothing and shoes scarce. At Valley Forge, 2800 men barefooted American soldiers were numerous but unreliable Profiteers used greed and speculation to weaken morale and aid the British *** Note that these notes are NOT from your textbook ***
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War in the North: Britain’s military vastly outnumbered the Patriots Some Natives sided with the British Victories at Saratoga 1777: The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point The Patriots won; as a result France sided with the rebellion and provided aid to the US (financial and military) The Perils of War: Women played an important role – created clothing, ran farms Some women hoped to gain more rights (Abigail Adams) Financial Crisis: State currencies were highly inflated Robert Morris (Chief Treasury) secured valuable aid from Holland and France Valley Forge: Baron von Steuben – former Prussian military officer, helped train the American army, giving it a discipline it was lacking before
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The French Alliance: France and US made an unusual alliance (Catholic monarchy) France a constant enemy of Britain and usually ready to fight them Ben Franklin played an important role in the Treaty of Alliance ▪ America and France would ensure the independence of the U.S. War in the South: Spain fought against Britain in 1779 Britain’s Southern Strategy: ▪ The South contributed fewer individuals to war effort – fear of leaving slaves unattended ▪ Philipsburg Proclamation – slaves that rebelled would gain protection and freedom from Great Britain – backfired as slaveowners sided with Rebellion ▪ 5,000 African Americans (free and slave) fought for Patriot Cause ▪ The Marquis de Lafayette – instrumental in gaining French troops to America Guerrilla Warfare in the Carolinas: ▪ Battle of Yorktown(1781) – last major battle of the war, Cornwallis surrenders
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The Patriot Advantage: French aid “Home-field advantage” Leadership – George Washington Diplomatic Triumph: Treaty of Paris (1783) ▪ Britain recognized US independence ▪ US gained all land east of Mississippi River ▪ US fishing rights off Newfoundland ▪ Britain could pursue debts from individual Americans Spain and France gained very little France becomes severely in debt (thanks France!)
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The State Constitutions: How Much Democracy? Pennsylvania’s Controversial Constitution: ▪ Unicameral legislature was created with total power (no governor) Tempering Democracy: ▪ Other states created bicameral legislatures ▪ Most states were not truly democratic – only PA and VT Women Seek a Public Voice: Abigail Adams’ “Remember the Ladies” ▪ Hoped to end customs and laws that oppressed women (married women could not own property, have contracts, etc.) Only white men were full citizens in new government This is one of many examples of women stepping up in U.S. history, only to lose most of the gains made after crisis passes. Stay tuned… The War’s Losers: Loyalists, Native Americans, and Slaves: Many loyalists suffered economically, others fled Native Americans were pushed further west off their lands Slaves did not gain freedom after the war Don’t forget about us John….
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The Articles of Confederation 1781-1787: Created a weak central government, states had a lot of power Each state had one equal vote in the national government In order to amend the Articles, unanimous approval was required The federal government could: make treaties, borrow money, ask for tax $ Continuing Fiscal Crisis: The US was in debt from war, began to sell off western land to individuals The Northwest Ordinance (one of few achievements under AoC): Slavery was banned in the Northwest Territory $ from 1 out of 36 square miles that were sold would go towards education Territories could apply for statehood when they reached 60,000 people Shays’ Rebellion: MA state legislature increased taxes Many farms were foreclosed Former Rev. War vet, Daniel Shays led a rebellion ▪ Demonstrated the weakness of the government under the Articles ▪ Helped many recognize the need for a new government
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The Rise of a Nationalist Faction: Sectional differences emerged: northerners tended to favor tariffs, southerners did not The Philadelphia Convention: 55 delegates, mostly wealthy and upper-class, all white, all male Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were NOT in attendance Representation – the VA and NJ Plans: ▪ VA Plan – proposed a bicameral legislature where representation in Congress was to be based on population ▪ NJ Plan – favored smaller states, representation would be equal for each state The Great Compromise – the CT Plan: ▪ Combined elements of both VA and NJ plans ▪ Created bicameral legislature: lower house (Representatives) would be based on population and elected by the people, upper house (Senate) would have 2 per state and elected by state legislatures Negotiations over Slavery: ▪ 3/5 Compromise – 60% of slaves would count towards population for representation in Congress, advantage for the South ▪ Also slave importation for 2o more years; would be ended by 1808. National Authority: ▪ Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land” ▪ “Necessary and Proper” (Elastic) clause increases power of Congress
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The People Debate Ratification: Constitution would take effect when 9 out of 13 states ratified it Emergence of two groups: ▪ Federalists – favored ratification ▪ Anti-federalists – weary of ratification The Antifederalists: ▪ Feared centralized power at states’ expense ▪ Criticized the lack of a bill of rights Federalists Respond: ▪ The Federalist Papers (Jay, Madison, and Hamilton) ▪ 85 essays written to promote the Constitution ▪ Federalist 10 discussed factions The Constitution Ratified: ▪ Typically, people in the backcountry were Antifederalists, easterners were Federalists ▪ With the promise of the Bill of Rights, many Antifederalists ratified the Constitution
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Battle of Saratoga – turning point Foreign assistance (Spain, Holland, France) Women, Natives, and African-Americans did not gain rights after the Rev. War Shays’ Rebellion Articles of Confederation - +’s and –’s Northwest Land Ordinance NJ and VA Plans, and the Great and 3/5 Compromises Federalists and Antifederalists
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