Building the New Nation

1. Building the New Nation Part Two

2. The Confederation and the Constitution 1776-1790 Chapter 9

3. I. The Pursuit of Equality • More evolution than revolution • Most not disturbed by fighting • Changes in social customs, political institutions, ideas about society, government and gender • Loyalist exodus removed conservative upper class, allowed for more egalitarian ideas • New patriot elite emerges

4. Classical view of a model republic EnlightenmentThinking • Govt. gets its authority from the citizens. • A selfless, educated citizenry. • Elections should be frequent. • Govt. should guarantee individual rights & freedoms. • Govt.’s power should be limited [checks & balances]. • The need for a written Constitution. • “E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of many, one”] • An important role for women  raise good, virtuous citizens.[“Republican Womanhood”]. The“VirtuousRepublic” “City on a hill”[John Winthrop] Ideal citizen[Cincinnatus]

5. I. Pursuit of Equality • After Revolution, most states reduced property qualifications for voting • By 1800 indentured servitude unknown • Growth of trade organizations, removal of inheritance laws (primogeniture) • The fight for separation of church and state resulted in notable gains. • Congregational church continued to be legally established (tax supported) by some New England states • Anglican Church, reformed as the Protestant Episcopal Church • Fight for separation fierce in VA, Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom (1786)

6. I. Pursuit of Equality • Challenges to institution of slavery • 1775 Quakers est. first antislavery society • 1774 Continental Congress called for abolition of slave trade • Many northern states called for abolition or gradual emancipation • No state south of Penn. abolished slavery • Laws discriminated against free blacks and slaves (jobs, education, marriage) • Idealism of freedom sacrificed for political expediency, fight would fracture national unity

7. I. Pursuit of Equality • Women still were unequal to men, even though some had served (disguised as men) in the Revolutionary War. • Achievements for women such as New Jersey’s 1776 constitution which allowed women to vote (for a time). • Mothers devoted to their families developed idea of “republican motherhood” , elevated women to higher status, keepers of the nation’s conscience • Women raised the children, held the future of the republic in their hands

8. II. Constitution Making in the States • 1776- Continental Congress called upon states to draft constitutions, form governments • Sovereignty would come from people, contracts defined powers of government • States had written documents that represented a fundamental law. • Many had a bill of rights, required annual election of legislators. • All of them deliberately created weak executive and judicial branches, distrust of central power • In most states, the legislative branch given sweeping powers • Massachusetts- special convention to draft its constitution, could only be changed through another constitutional convention. • Thomas Jefferson, warned “173 despots [in legislature] would surely be as oppressive as one.” • Many state capitals followed the migration of the people and moved westward, as in New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. • Movement reflected recently enfranchised poorer districts away from seaports

9. III. Economic Crosscurrents • After war states seized Loyalist, crown lands • Easily available land spread economic democracy, this preceded political democracy • War caused American manufacturers to make their own goods (British trade cut off) • America remained agriculturalist by a large degree. • Prior to war, Americans had great trade with Britain, and now they didn’t, could now trade with foreign countries, a privilege they didn’t have before. • Yankee shippers ventured into far off places (East Asian markets) • Inflation was a problem • Many worse off financially • War caused dislike of taxes and law

10. IV. Shaky Start Toward Union • Revolution caused responsibility of creating and operating new central government • America more a name than nation • New patriot elite open to ideas of experimentation and innovation in government • 1784-1786- low point for new republic • British flood Americas with cheap goods, American industry suffered • However, the states all did share similar constitutions, had a rich political inheritance from Britain • Revolution provided opportunity for Washington, Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton, and John Adams, became great political leaders

11. V. Creating a Confederation • 13 sovereign states coined money, raised armies, erected tariff barriers • 1777-Articles of Confederation adopted • 1781- ratified by all states • Main problem- what to do with western lands? • Some states had holdings west of Allegheny Mts., some did not • Land rich could sell off land to pay debts, others had to tax heavily to raise revenue

12. V. Creating a Confederation • States eventually surrendered land to central government • Used to make future states • Bonded union to central authority • Pioneers bought land from federal government, benefit to nation • Weakened state powers

13. VI. Articles of Confederation: America’s First Constitution • Loose confederation, acted together to deal with common problems (foreign defense) • No executive, judiciary left up to states • Each state one vote • Hard to amend • No power to regulate commerce, states had different trade laws • No power to tax, states paid what they wanted • National government could not control states • Outlined general powers of government, provided idea of union

14. VII. Landmarks in Land Law • Congress of Confederation passed farsighted legislation, dealt with public domain of Old Northwest Land Ordinance of 1785 • land sold to settlers to pay public debt • land surveyed before sale and settlement, led to orderly settlement • sixteenth section set aside to benefit education

15. VII. Landmarks in Land Laws Northwest Ordinance 1787 • Dealt with how to govern new territory • Congress appointed 3 judges & a governor to govern the territory. • When population reached 5,000 adult male landowners elect territorial legislature. • When population reached 60,000 elect delegates to a state constitutional convention, with all privileges of other states • Forbid slavery in Old Northwest • Ideas carried to other frontier areas

16. VIII. World’s Ugly Duckling • British- refused to repeal navigation laws, closed trade to US in the West Indies • Along northern frontier held trading posts on US soil, agitated Indians that kept US from effectively settling territory • British justified action because Americans failed to keep promises about debts and Loyalists • Some wanted to impose restrictions on British imports but Congress could not control imports

17. VIII. World’s Ugly Duckling • Spain- openly unfriendly to US • 1784- Closed MS River, people in KY, TN and Old Northwest could not ship goods • Claimed large area of territory granted to US by British • Schemed with and agitated Indians to be hostile with US settlers

18. VIII. World’s Ugly Duckling • France demanded payment of debts, restricted trade with West Indies • Pirates of North African States (Barbary States)took American ships, enslaved Yankee sailors • America too poor to bribe officials to get release of sailors • Too weak to stop them

19. VIII. The Horrid Specter of Anarchy • 1780’s ability of national government to collect money was limited • Interest on debt piling up, nation’s credit evaporating abroad • States had trade disagreements, levying duties on goods from neighbors, states issued depreciated paper currency • Problems came to a head in Shay’s Rebellion in 1786

20. VIII. The Horrid Specter of Anarchy 1786- Farmers in western Mass. losing farms to taxes and foreclosure Daniel Shay’s led group of agitators to enforce demands Mass. authorities raise army and put down rebellion After rebellion legislature passes debt relief laws

21. VIII. The Horrid Specter of Anarchy • Rebellion terrified propertied classes • Revolution created monster of “mobocracy” • Stronger central government needed • Conservatives wanted to protect position, property • Debtors, poorer people wanted feared powerful central government (would have to pay debts) • All groups agree need to change, question was how? • How would nationalists and states rightists be reconciled?

22. IX. A Convention of Demigods • 1786- Convention called in Ananapolis, MD to figure out what to do about interstate commerce • 5 of 13 states show up, could not do anything to solve problem • Alexander Hamilton asked Congress to call a convention to rework the Articles • Congress reluctant, states elect delegates anyway

23. IX. A Convention of Demigods • Only Rhode Island did not send delegates • May 1787- 55 delegates meet in Philadelphia • George Washington leader, Ben Franklin elder statesman • Washington legitimized convention • Sessions held in secret • James Madison, age 36, known as father of Constitution, profound student of government • Alexander Hamilton, 32, advocate of super powerful central government

24. X. Patriots in Philadelphia • 55 delegates • Conservative, wealthy (lawyers, merchants, land speculators) • Young- avg. age 42 • 19 owned slaves • Nationalists, wanted stable political structure • Central authority needed genuine power • Wanted to preserve union, protect property from “mobocracy”, curb unrestrained democracy • Wanted central government to control nation, international commerce

25. XI. Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises • Began to completely scrap Articles • Overthrow existing government by peaceful means • Large state plan vs. small state plan over representation in legislative branch • Deadlock broken by Great Compromise ( 2 house legislature on represented by population, one all representation equal) • Executive branch created, but power check by legislative branch • Indirect method of electing president (prevented unrestrained democracy)

26. XI. Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises Sectional Problems • How to count slaves? • 3/5 Compromise- gave southern states more power (counted slaves as 3/5 of citizen) • North – Congress should be able to regulate foreign and interstate trade • South – Thought Congress would tax exports (goods sold to other countries) • South sold agricultural products to other countries, would cost them $$$ • South worried Congress would stop slaves from coming to US • In a compromise, the southern states agreed that Congress could regulate trade as long as they would not tax exports, interfere with the slave trade before 1807

27. XII. Safeguards for Conservatism • All at convention agreed, needed stronger central government, sound monetary policy, protection of private property, manhood suffrage • Put up safeguards to excesses of mob • Federal judges selected for life, indirect election of president, senate • Only house of representatives elected by people • Power based on consent of people, government limited by written constitution • People guarantee liberty, not the government

28. XIII. Clash of Federalists and Antifederalists • Framers knew it would be hard to ratify Constitution • Plan was once 9 states ratify it became law of the land • Many surprised at new constitution, saw power of states swallowed up • Antifederalists- against stronger federal government • Wanted states rights, typically backcountry people, poorer classes, saw Constitution as plan to steal their power • Insisted on Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms • Federalists- from settled areas, wealthier, better educated, controlled established press

29. XIV. The Great Debate in the States • Special Elections held in states • Small states quickly ratify constitution • Mass. First real challenge, many suspicious of government power, worried about absence of Bill of Rights • Federalists said this would be taken care of and it passed

30. XV. The Four Laggard States • VA fierce opposition, but realized it could not continue as an independent state • NY Series of articles published, The Federalist, seen as propaganda, became the best commentary ever written on Constitution • James Madison, Federalist No. 10, refuted conventional wisdom that republican government was not possible in large territory • NY shortly afterward ratified • NC, RI always centers of individualism ratified in the end • All four states realized they could not make it on their own

31. XVI. A Conservative Triumph • Minority won twice- Revolution to get rid of British, peaceful revolution to overthrow government • Only ¼ of adult males had property to vote • Conservatism had erected safeguards against mob rule, republican gains of revolution conserved, federalists restored economic and political stability • Every branch of government represented by the people (though indirectly in some cases), self limiting system of checks and balances • Reconciled conflicting principles of liberty and order • Elevated ideals of Revolution and set boundaries on them

32. Launching the New Ship of State1789-1800

33. I. Growing Pains • Over a twelve year period Americans got rid of British rule and established a central ruling authority they viewed as a necessary evil • New government had enormous debt, worthless paper money and unlimited potential • 1789- population doubling every 25 years, coastal cities growing (Philadelphia, NY, Boston, Charleston) • 90% rural, 5% lived west of Appalachian Mts. Most in KY,TN, OH • Foreign visitors looked down on Americans • Western US territory- Spanish controlled mouth of MS River, British agents moved about the Old Northwest stirring up trouble

34. II. Washington for President • George Washington unanimously drafted as president by Electoral College • Commanded by strength of character, not as a politician • Established cabinet (not specifically mentioned in Constitution) • Three departments (War- Henry Knox, Treasury- Alexander Hamilton, Sec. of State- Thomas Jefferson)

35. III. The Bill of Rights • Antifederalists were promised Bill of Rights during ratification • James Madison drafted them and pushed them through Congress • 1791- ratified, safeguarded basic American principles (freedom of religion, speech, assembly, petition, right to trial by jury, protection from cruel and unusual punishment and arbitrary seizure of private property by the government) • Ninth Amendment protected states rights, Tenth Amendment gave all rights not specified to the states • First Congress established federal courts, office of Attorney general and Supreme Court (John Jay first chief justice)

36. IV. Hamilton Revives the Corpse of Public Credit • Key figure in Washington’s government – Alexander Hamilton • Loyalty questioned to America (America was his adopted country) • Main rival Thomas Jefferson • Hamilton a financial wizard, shaped fiscal policies to favor wealthier groups • First objective- restore national credit • Wanted government to pay off debts at face value plus interest • Raised revenue by selling bonds, raising excise taxes and tariffs • Wanted Congress to assume debts of states, would chain states to federal government • States with heaviest debt were happy • VA not happy with plan, made deal that if federal government assumed debts they would get federal district for future nations capital

37. V. Hamilton Battles Jefferson for a Bank • Hamilton proposed Bank of the United States • Private institution, major stockholder US government • Treasury would deposit surplus monies in bank • Federal funds would stimulate business, print money for sound, stable national currency • Was it constitutional?

39. V. Hamilton Battles Jefferson for a Bank • Jefferson against it, no specific authorization in Constitution, saw those powers reserved for the states (strict construction) • Hamilton believed what Constitution did not forbid it permitted, invoked necessary and proper clause (loose construction) • Hamilton prevailed, most support for the bank in northern commercial and financial centers, agricultural south opposed bank • 1791- Bank chartered for 20 years, stock was put on sale and it sold out in less than 2 hours

40. VI. Mutinous Moonshiners in Pennsylvania • 1794- Whiskey Rebellion flares in Penn. Over excise tax on whiskey • Whiskey was not a luxury but a medium of exchange, easier to transport as liquid than raw corn • Distillers defied taxes and tax collectors, brought collection to a halt • Washington called out militia of several states and put down rebellion • Showed the force of the federal government in stop insurrection, if citizens wanted change they needed to do it peacefully, constitutionally

41. VII. The Emergence of Political Parties • Hamilton’s fiscal feats put the US on sound financial ground • We could borrow funds from European countries on good terms • Financial schemes seen as an infringement on states rights by some • Opposition began to build, rivalry between Hamilton and Jefferson became a political rivalry • Founders did not predict political parties, thought it would disrupt national unity • Formal parties a few years off in 1790’s • Jefferson and Madison opposed programs of Hamilton, newspapers spread their political message and political parties began to emerge • Competition for power good for democracy, creates balance, no group gets too much power

42. Federalists Believe in strong central gov’t Rule by best people Distrusted full blown democracy Promote foreign trade Little gov’t. Interference in business Supported by wealthy Supporters along Atlantic seaboard Promote American interests overseas Pro- British Democrat- Reps. (Jeffersonians) Weak central gov’t. Power held by states Appeal to middle class, farmers, laborers National debt needed to be paid off No special privileges for any class Pro- French Protect democracy at home Supported by southerners, westerners XVI. Federalists vs. Democrat- Republicans

43. VIII. Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality • French Revolution scared many Americans • By mid-1790’s France entered war with British • French wanted US to help defend West Indies • D-R’S favored alliance • Washington wanted to avoid war, US too weak, politically not united • 1793- Neutrality Proclamation- first formal declaration of aloofness from European conflicts, US policy until 20th century

44. VIII. Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality • Citizen Genet- French diplomat, tried to raise armies to invade Spanish FL and LA, also BR Canada • Did not think neutrality reflected true wishes of Americans • Genet removed from US • Neutral stance aided FR, they needed our foodstuffs in West Indies, if we declared war on British they would blockade American coast and cut off all shipping

45. IX. Embroilments with Britain • Policy of neutrality tried by British • Kept forts on US soil, agitated Indians along frontier • 1790-1791- Miami Confederacy attacks US soldiers • 1794- Gen. “Mad Anthony” Wayne defeated Indians in the Battle of Fallen Timbers (OH), forced them to sign Treaty of Greenville • Confederacy gave up huge amounts of land in return for payment and certain rights • Royal navy seized American ships and sailors, angered Americans • Federalists resisted efforts to punish British, would hurt American economy

46. X. Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell • 1794- Chief Justice John Jay sent to London • Jeffersonians unhappy with decision • Treaty favorable to British, BR consented to abandon forts, pay for seizures of ships (did not promise to stop doing it) • Bound US to pay pre- Revolutionary debts, BR most favored status • Crystallized support for Jeffersonians • Southerners would have to pay most debt, northern shippers would collect money for damages • Pinckney’s Treaty 1795- Spain gave US access to Mississippi, disputed territory north of FL

47. X. Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell • After second term Washington decided to retire • Began two term tradition of presidents • 1796- Farewell Address published in newspapers across countries • Advised against “permanent alliances”, favored temporary alliances • Basic message was unity at home, independence abroad • Washington’s contributions enormous- legitimized central government, kept nation out of war • US economy expanding and population was moving westward

48. XI. John Adams Becomes President • Federalists turn to John Adams (Hamilton not popular) • D-R’s turn to Jefferson • Political passion high, election based on personality • Adams squeezed through electoral college • Adams “prickly” intellectual, little appeal to masses, hard to follow Washington • Hamilton headed High Federalist party, conspired against Adams

49. XII. Unofficial Fighting With France • Inherited problems with France • Upset about Jay’s Treaty • French seize American merchant ships • Adams sends envoy’s to France to reach agreement • XYZ Affair (1797) • Envoys approached by French agents (X,Y,Z) demand bribe to meet with French prime minister • Way business done in Europe, negotiations broke down • US beginnings war preparations • Navy Dept. created • Marines reestablished, army authorized • 1798-1800- most battles at sea • French ships captured, American merchant ships destroyed