1. Slide 1 American Society After the Revolution

2. Slide 2 What is a republic, anyway? a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law

3. Slide 3 Striving to Achieve Equality After the Revolution people reject anything aristocratic or related to privilege After the Revolution people reject anything aristocratic or related to privilege The appearance of equality as important as its actual achievement The appearance of equality as important as its actual achievement Elimination of primogeniture Elimination of primogeniture Lowering of property requirements for voting in some states, but not universal manhood suffrage Lowering of property requirements for voting in some states, but not universal manhood suffrage

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8. Slide 8 African Americans Slavery was the greatest contradiction to republicanism Slavery was the greatest contradiction to republicanism They used the same rhetoric as whites reminding them constantly that they had the same natural rights as whites They used the same rhetoric as whites reminding them constantly that they had the same natural rights as whites

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11. Slide 11 Benjamin Banneker A free and educated Black, He challenged the idea that African Americans were intellectually inferior A free and educated Black, He challenged the idea that African Americans were intellectually inferior He was a great scientist and intellectual He was a great scientist and intellectual

12. Slide 12 Slavery: Demands vs. Reality African Americans demanded the same rights and liberties as whites African Americans demanded the same rights and liberties as whites By 1800 slavery was becoming non- existent in the North By 1800 slavery was becoming non- existent in the North Yet, even in states where they were “free” they were denied the rights to vote and serve on juries and in the army Yet, even in states where they were “free” they were denied the rights to vote and serve on juries and in the army Some Southerners wanted to manumit their slaves, but the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, and the movement West, offered too much promise of profit Some Southerners wanted to manumit their slaves, but the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, and the movement West, offered too much promise of profit

13. Slide 13 Women during the Revolution Volunteered Volunteered Raised money Raised money Took care of farms and businesses in husband’s absence Took care of farms and businesses in husband’s absence Picture: Molly Pritcher – helped on the battlefield Picture: Molly Pritcher – helped on the battlefield

14. Slide 14 Republican Mothers Women were charged with raising virtuous, future members of the American republic. Women were charged with raising virtuous, future members of the American republic. In light of this role, women demanded access to formal education In light of this role, women demanded access to formal education New schools developed, but they taught women how to be good mothers and wives, not how to be intellectuals and independent thinkers. New schools developed, but they taught women how to be good mothers and wives, not how to be intellectuals and independent thinkers. Women began to demand more equality in the home Women began to demand more equality in the home More women were granted divorce based on cruelty of husbands More women were granted divorce based on cruelty of husbands

15. Slide 15 Articles of Confederation Written by the various states, this became the form of government in 1781 Written by the various states, this became the form of government in 1781 The states did not want a national government that would limit their liberties The states did not want a national government that would limit their liberties The Articles only provided for a legislative, not a judicial or executive branch The Articles only provided for a legislative, not a judicial or executive branch Each state had one vote Each state had one vote 2/3’s of states required to pass laws 2/3’s of states required to pass laws Amendments required a unanimous vote Amendments required a unanimous vote

16. Slide 16 Powers Under the Articles 1. Declare war 2. Make treaties 3. Manage indian affairs 4. Maintain an army and navy 5. Coin and borrow money 6. Establish a postal service What is Missing?? The power to Tax The power to Tax The power to regulate commerce/trade The power to regulate commerce/trade

17. Slide 17 Major Problems Under the Articles 1. No Money 2. Inflation (paper money with no hard currency) 3. Tariff wars between states 4. Jealousy and quarreling among the states (like they were countries) 5. Foreign affairs in shambles 6. Disrespect from other countries 7. Debtor-Creditor conflicts

18. Slide 18 Shays’ Rebellion, 1786-1787 The Rebellion started with petitions to the government for paper currency, lower taxes, and judicial reform. The Rebellion started with petitions to the government for paper currency, lower taxes, and judicial reform. People who were unable to pay their debts with hard currency were taken to court and then placed in jail. People who were unable to pay their debts with hard currency were taken to court and then placed in jail. Daniel Shays of Massachusetts assembled a group of about 1,500 other veterans from the Revolutionary War to prevent the court from sitting. Daniel Shays of Massachusetts assembled a group of about 1,500 other veterans from the Revolutionary War to prevent the court from sitting.

19. Slide 19 Shays’ Rebellion, 1786-1787 There were various skirmishes in Mass. From Sept – Feb There were various skirmishes in Mass. From Sept – Feb Shays’ men were put down – 20 were sentenced to death. Shays’ men were put down – 20 were sentenced to death. Only 2 hung for their role – the others were pardoned by the governor, John Hancock Only 2 hung for their role – the others were pardoned by the governor, John Hancock Shays' Rebellion is considered the one of the leading causes in the formation of the United States Constitution. Shays' Rebellion is considered the one of the leading causes in the formation of the United States Constitution.

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21. Slide 21 "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of the government.“ Thomas Jefferson, 1787