A Balance of Power? The Post-Revolutionary Government: a Study in Fairness

1. A Balance of Power?ThePost-Revolutionary Government: a Study in Fairness Mrs. Muench Casanova APUSH

2. The Articles of Confederation • 1777-1787 • After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. was recognized as an independent nation, but : • It was only a loose confederation of states • Not yet a sovereign nation • Sovereign: he who holds power to govern • Self-governing, independent

3. Class Conflict • After the war, inflation and depression • Trade was a mess • Articles of Confederation useless • Different states with 13 different currencies – disastrous • Enter class conflict versus

4. Democracy in Massachusetts? • Massachusetts passes state constitution in 1780 • Bans landless men from voting or holding office • Some of the barred men are veterans of the American Revolution who are still waiting for promised bonuses • Bad economy = farms are repossessed • Farmers are angry – militia called in for order

5. Shay’s Rebellion • 1786- Daniel Shay leads 700 farmers and working class people on a march around Boston • Sam Adams (once a revolutionary himself) draws up the Riot Act • Authorities can jail anyone without a trial • “Revolt against a monarch is one thing, but against a republic it is a crime punishable by death.” • What is wrong with this statement?!?!?

6. Shay’s Rebellion • Farmers are angry before Riot Act, after Riot Act they are Jerry Springer angry • Fighting breaks out b/w farmers and army paid by wealthy Boston merchants • Casualties on both sides • Political leaders ask themselves, “Is there too much democracy?”

7. Constitutional Convention • May 25, 1787 • Met in Philadelphia • All but Rhode Island sent a delegate • Four months to draw up Constitution • Extremely Secretive

8. The Delegates I’m hot! • Delegates were “the well-bred, the well-fed, the well-read and the well-wed.” • Not representative of the American population • Over 50% college educated • Over 50% were lawyers • Owned 1,4000 slaves • Three of the delegates were the largest slaveholders in the entire country • (George Mason of VI • ,John Rutledge of S.C, • Gorge Washington of VI Thomas Jefferson

9. Our Founding Fathers Had Issues • Representation • Big v. small states • Slavery • North v. South • Framer’s Problems: • Believed in Republican govn’t (cant’s trust anyone to be king) • Didn’t believe in “popular govn’t “(too much power to the poor) • Believed in private wealth (but knew the rich would take advantage) • Result: a “mixed” government

10. The Constitution • The best form of gov. was a legislature elected by the people (the poor, blacks and females not considered “people”) • Re-elections every 4-6 years to keep the gov. “fresh” • Gave themselves power to tax, regulate trade, make war, etc.

11. That’s one half of one third of the new American government was directly elected “by the people, for the people!” • President elected indirectly through Electoral College • Senators elected indirectly by state legislatures (until 1913 with the passage of the 17th Amendment). • Supreme Court appointed by the President • House of Representatives was the only DIRECT election by American citizens.

12. By the People, For the People? • On the other hand…who do you want making your laws? • The rich and educated or the poor and ignorant? • With a partner, discuss your thesis to essential question #4: • “The U.S. Constitution was a document written by the people, for the people.” Assess the validity of this statement. • Have you changed your mind? • Why or why not?