Presentation Transcript

1. Chapter 7

   Creating a Republic
2. State Constitutions During the Revolution most states wrote their own constitutions Constitution: a document that sets out the laws and principles of a government
3. State Constitutions States wanted written constitutions for 2 reason Spelled out the right of all citizens Set limits on the power of government States often followed the basic of their colonial charters which written according to English law
4. Dividing Power States divided the power of government between a legislature and an executive Concerned with putting too much power in the hands of a few people Every state had a legislature to pass laws Elected by voters Divided amongst an upper house called a senate and lower house Every state (except PA ) had a governor : to execute or carry out the laws
5. Protecting freedoms Bill of rights: lists freedoms that the government promises to protect Started in Virginia (religion, press, trial by jury)
6. Expanding the Right to Vote More people could vote than in colonial times White, male, citizen, over age 21, own a certain amount of property or pay a certain amount of taxes Few states allowed free blacks to vote For a time, NJ allowed women to vote
7. Forming a National Government Continental Congress drafted a plan for the nation as a whole Feared they colonies could not succeed in their struggle for independence without a national government
8. The First National Constitution Citizens felt loyal to their own states and not fell like citizens of one nation States were unwilling to turn over power to the national government They feared a strong government rule like that of the British
9. The First National Constitution Articles of Confederation: first American constitution written by the Continental Congress in 1777 Created a “firm league of friendship” among the 13 states Each state would send a delegate to a Confederation Congress Each state had one vote in Congress
10. The First National Constitution Congressional Power pass laws with 9 out of 13 states approval declare war Appoint military officers Coin money
11. The First National Constitution Congressional Limits not regulate trade between states or states and foreign countries not pass laws regarding taxes To raise money Congress had to ask the states for it and states could not be forced to contribute
12. The First National Constitution National government powers were weak compared to those of the states
13. A loose alliance The Articles did not provide for a president to carry out laws States enforced laws passed by Congress Many disputes arose between states Article did not set up a system of courts to settle disputes
14. Disputes Over Western Lands Maryland refused to ratify The Articles until all land from the Appalachian Mountain to the Mississippi River was turned over to the federal government MD worried that states would become too powerful if they were allowed to keep their land
15. Disputes Over Western Lands All states eventually accept MD demand except VA In VA, Thomas Jefferson and other leaders believed a national government was needed and convinced VA lawmakers to give up their land claims. 1781 MD ratified the Articles of Confederation and the first American government went into effect
16. Serious Challenges for the Articles of Confederation Troubles with Money The U.S. owed millions of dollars borrowed during the Revolutionary War Congress could not tax the states only ask for money States often turned Congress down
17. Serious Challenges for the Articles of Confederation Printed money call “Continental” had no gold or silver to back up its worth States began printing their own money Confusing; whose dollars were worth what? States often refused to accept other states money Made trade difficult
18. Other troubles NY and NH both claimed Vermont States had no way to settle their disputes under the Articles of Confederation Foreign countries took advantage of the U.S. weaknesses Britain refused to withdraw troops from the Ohio Valley as agreed to in the Treaty of Paris Spain closed its port in New Orleans to farmers in the western lands
19. A Farsighted Policy for Western Lands Articles said nothing about admitting new states to the U.S. Congress passed two laws concerning the Northwest Territory: lands lying north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi
20. A Farsighted Policy for Western Lands 1. Land Ordinance of 1785: system for settling the Northwest territory The land would be surveyed and divided into townships Each township had 36 sections Each section was 1 square mile= 640 acres each Congress planned to sell each section for $640.00 One section in each townships was set aside to create public schools
21. A Farsighted Policy for Western Lands 2. Northwest Ordinance Set up a government for the Northwest territory Outlawed slavery Provided for three vast area to be divided into 3 to 5 territoriesin the future When a territory had 60,000 free settlers they could ask Congress to be admitted as a new state
22. A Farsighted Policy for Western Lands In time 5 states would be carved out of the Northwest Territory Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan , and Wisconsin
23. Northwest Territory
24. A Farmers’ Revolt Economic depression: A period when business activity slows, prices and wages fall, and unemployment rises
25. Hard times for farmers Demand for farm products was high during the war As soldiers returned home, demand fell Massachusetts raised farmers’ taxes Courts seized farms when they could not pay taxes Farmers protested
26. Rebellion in Massachusetts Daniels Shay’s Rebellion: Massachusetts farmer gathers nearly 2,000 farmers and attacked courthouses preventing the sale of property for debt Massachusetts sent militia to end the rebellion
27. Time for action American’s saw Shay’s Rebellion as a sign the Articles of Confederation did not work Several States called for a convention in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation