Now What Do We Do?

1. Now What Do We Do? Establishing A Government Sasso US I

2. The Treaty of Paris provides us with all of the territory from the Atlantic Ocean to the MS River (excluding Canada & FL) • LOTS of territory to survey, control, and eventually populate • What problems do we face? • How can we go about accomplishing those goals? What Are We Looking At?

3. The concept has always been present on some level in America • As we struggled in war, we also struggled to develop a system to replace the British govt. model • It’s a struggle that will last nearly 15 years, but many important phases were addressed during the Revolution • What exactly are we trying to create? • What should our govt. look like? Self Government

4. The formation/amending of state govts got underway around 1776 • Most of these “constitutions” reflect a fear of executive power • There is also a great concern about govt. instability by giving the people too much power • It’s a pretty delicate balance to try and find • One thing that all parties agree on: the state and national govts should be Republican (that doesn’t mean today’s political party) • This would mean all power would derive from the people, as opposed to a supreme authority (king) First Step: Forming State Govts

5. Success of a Republican govt. depends on the nature of its citizens • In theory, if the population consists of independent property owners with “civic virtue”, the govt. should be in good shape • If there are a few powerful aristocrats and a great mass of dependent workers, the govt. may be in trouble (potential for corruption) Republican Govt

6. Equality is another part of the equation • In theory, talent and energy would determine role in society • Equality of opportunity, not condition • Inevitably, some will be more wealthy and powerful than others • It’s a nice concept, but America is never really like that • We already have a huge, dependent labor force (slaves) with more to come • America never really provides a full equality of opportunity, nor will we Republican Govt

7. 11 of 13 states will produce new constitutions by 1780 (CT and RI will not) • Not necessarily smooth sailing, but completion is important • 1st basic decision: Constitutions will be written down • Seems simple enough, but a pretty big deal • We feel that vagueness produces corruption; structure must be recorded • 2nd basic decision: executive power must be limited • There is a concerted effort to separate branches of govt. • 3rd basic decision: Not going the way of direct popular vote • Most states will have an upper and lower legislative house • The upper house typically represents a higher order of society State Constitutions

8. Initially, state govts are not very effective • Pretty difficult to get tasks accomplished; there might be TOO MUCH democracy • Many states will quickly revise their recently completed work • MA becomes the model • MA makes two major changes • #1- Constitutional Conventions • #2- Strengthening the executive position State Constitutions

9. By this point, most states have moved to true religious freedom and a complete separation of church and state • While religion is no longer an overwhelming issue, slavery is becoming one • Many movements begin to spring up around the country looking to abolish the institution • TJ- “Slavery is like holding a wolf by the ears” State Constitutions

10. National govt. is an entirely different set of issues • Most people believe that govt. at the national level should be very weak • There is a tremendous fear of monarchy • Each state should essentially be its own sovereign nation • Kind of like 13 little countries, instead of 1 big country • The Articles of Confederation are developed out of this concept, beginning in 1777 • Much of the credit for the Articles goes to John Dickinson (PA) National Govt

11. The Articles of Confederation will serve as our first form of national govt. • Congress will remain the only institution of national authority • There is NO EXECUTIVE BRANCH (meaning no steady President) • There is NO SUPREME COURT (meaning no national court) • Congress will be a unicameral legislature: one house system of govt. • Each state would get 1 vote in Congress • 1 state = 1 vote (regardless of size or population) • In order to pass any legislation, 9 out of 13 states would have to agree • In order to ratify or amend the Articles, 13 out of 13 states would have to agree • Nearly impossible to make changes to the document The Articles of Confederation

12. National Govt State Govts • Create Army/Navy • Conduct Wars • Borrow/Issue $ • Make Laws • CAN’T regulate trade • CAN’T tax • CAN’T draft soldiers • Taxes • Trade Regulation • Drafting of soldiers National Power vs. State Power

13. Lots of disagreements with the legislative setup • It’s great for small states, but horrible for states with a large population • Smallest states tend to vote in a bloc, and they outnumber the heavily populated states (7-6) • There are also a number of land issues that need to be resolved before the Articles can be ratified • The western land claims of the larger states have to be addressed before the smaller states will agree to the Articles • Eventually, the larger states will agree to give up all of their western claims to the national govt. Problems, Problems, Problems…

14. We would really like to stay out of European rivalries, but that’s nearly impossible • Our prosperity depends on trade • We will ultimately have to develop some kind of commercial treaties • BUT…we have serious issues with the British, Spanish, and the Native Americans Problems, Problems, Problems…

15. Naturally, our relationship with England will be strained • Treaty of Paris will be violated by both England and America • Our goods will no longer receive a preferred position in British markets • They will also try to flood our markets with cheap goods • England will accept an American ambassador (John Adams), but they will refuse to send one in return; not sure if they should send 1 or 13 • That’s a slap in the face • England would like nothing more than to see us fail Problems, Problems, Problems…

16. Spain is not very happy about the large amount of territory that America has acquired • US expansion could greatly threaten Spanish territory • We will have many border disputes • Spain will form alliances with several Native American tribes and encourage them to attack US settlers • Spain will also reject a Right of Deposit request in New Orleans, hampering Americans ability to trade in Western territories Problems, Problems, Problems…

17. France is not exactly pleased with us either • The American Revolution had hurt them financially; they would like to receive payment for their efforts • America is not in a position to pay France back, and many trade privileges sought by France did not materialize • France is starting to think they got the short end of the stick • They’re probably right Problems, Problems, Problems…

18. We also have to deal with the presence of the Barbary Pirates • North African pirates who patrol the Mediterranean and Atlantic • They will capture ships and crews of nations who refuse to pay tribute (bribes) • America used to be protected by the British navy and treasury • Those privileges no longer apply, and US ships will be constantly attacked Problems, Problems, Problems…

19. America has domestic issues as well • The northeastern states dislike each other • Continually bicker over boundaries and trade • Congress can’t regulate trade, so states will pass all sorts of unfair trade laws to take advantage of their neighbors • There is no longer a national currency, so each state creates it’s own money and rates of exchange • Kind of ridiculous, but there is nobody to stop them from doing it Problems, Problems, Problems…

20. Between 1780-1790, the Western population will increase from 2,000 to 100,000 • Very tough to meet the needs of these people • Can’t move the British out of their forts • Can’t handle the Spanish • No money to buy land or settle with Native Americans • No soldiers to protect them • Situation out West can be utterly lawless Problems, Problems, Problems…