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The New Nation

The New Nation. Debating Republicanism. Republic – Government where people rule through elected representatives John Dickinson [D. Delaware] – R. should place the good of the nation above personal interests

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The New Nation

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  1. The New Nation

  2. Debating Republicanism • Republic – Government where people rule through elected representatives • John Dickinson [D. Delaware] – R. should place the good of the nation above personal interests • Adam Smith [economist, philosopher] – R. benefits from self-interest & allows independent citizens to pursue own economic & political interests • Republican Motherhood – women to raise next gen. by teaching democratic values • 18th c. Americans thought democracy = too much power in hands of the uneducated masses

  3. State Constitutions • Gov leaders had limited power (fear of centralized authority) • Specific rights guaranteed for citizens: • Freedom of speech, religion, press • Emphasis on Liberty rather than Equality • Voting: • African Americans generally not allowed • (Some States) all white males can vote • MD – property ownership a req. • (Other States) Church Membership • NJ gave women right to vote until 1807

  4. One Thing the Articles did right: Land • Land Ordinance of 1785 – plan for surveying & selling fed. owned lands W. of Appalachian Mtns. • Northwest Ordinance of 1787: • Congress would appoint a territorial gov & judges • When territory reached 5k voters, settlers could write temp Constitution & elect own gov. • When total pop. reached 60k free inhabitants, settlers could write State Constitution, which Congress had to approve before granting statehood.

  5. Revising the Articles “What a triumph for out enemies… to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves.”

  6. Compromises of the Constitution • Arise from key conflicts: • Strong Central Government vs. Strong States • Authority from people/central gov over states vs. Authority from states • Electing the President • Large States vs. Small States • Roger Sherman’s “Great Compromise” • North vs. South • 3/5ths Compromise • Commerce Compromise

  7. Division of Powers • Federalism – system in which national gov and constituent units (i.e. state govs) share power • Divided the national and states government • Powers of the Federal Government (delegated or enumerated) • Control foreign affairs, provide for national defense, regulate trade between states, coin $ • Powers of the States (reserved) • Providing and supervising education, est marriage laws, regulating trade within state • Powers of Both (concurrent) • Tax, borrow money, pay debts, establish courts

  8. Wait… what? • American people not prepared for a new Constitution (expected amendments to Articles) • Were shocked when it was printed in newspapers • Voters were to elect a delegate to the Convention to reject/accept • Neatly bypassing State Legislatures

  9. Beginning of America’s Political Parties Federalists Anti-Federalists • Opposed strong central government • Gave long list of abuses by strong central government • Feared it would serve interests of privileged minority, ignore rights of the majority • How could a single gov manage a large country? • Supported New Constitution • Favored power balance between state & national government • Said division of powers/checks & balances would protect against tyranny from central authority

  10. Federalists • Supporters: • Urban Centers • Merchants • Skilled Workers • Laborers • Favored a national government to regulate trade • Small States, States w/ weak economies favored SCG to protect their interests

  11. Anti-Federalists • Supporters: • Rural Areas • People feared a SCG might add to tax burdens • Large States & states w/ strong economies [NY] had greater freedom under Articles • Laborers • Favored national government in trade regulation

  12. Second Class Citizens • Many Americans considered women & African Americans to be 2nd class citizens • Under the New Constitution: • Native Americans & Slaves excluded • Women not mentioned • Some N. States permitted free blacks to vote… • … but BoR offered NO protection against white discrimination & hostility • Expansion of democracy comes from later amendments • Women’s Movement & Civil Rights Movement brought aboutinclusion & equal protection under the law for both groups

  13. Second Class Citizens • Through organization & petitioning gov, raising awareness, excluded groups gained access to those rights previously withheld from them • Flexibility of U.S. Constitution makes it a model for other govs.

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