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Revolution, Articles and Federalism. A. Patriots and Loyalists. Difficult to measure but… 1/3 Loyal to crown 1/3 dedicated to independence 1/3 neutral Loyalists (“Tories”) Colonists who fought to return to colonial rule Conservative, educated, wealthy and fearful of mob rule.
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A. Patriots and Loyalists • Difficult to measure but… • 1/3 Loyal to crown • 1/3 dedicated to independence • 1/3 neutral • Loyalists (“Tories”) • Colonists who fought to return to colonial rule • Conservative, educated, wealthy and fearful of mob rule. • Anglican clergy • Pockets of NY, SC, PA and NJ • Least numerous in New England. • Ineffective at gaining allegiance of neutrals • Harassed, imprisoned and some killed. • 80,000 fled and their estates were sold off to help finance war • British mistakenly did not make full use of Loyalists on homefront. • Patriots (“Whigs”) • American rebels who fought both GB and American Loyalists • Most numerous in New England • Minority movement but more effective in gaining support of neutrals.
B. American Society During War • Military • Over 250,000 American soldiers fought • 10% who fought, died • GB occupied most major cities during course of war (Boston, NY, Philadelphia) • Most fighting done by poorest Americans. • African-Americans fought on both sides (5,000 for Continentals; 30,000 for GB) • Native Americans fought for GB as well. • Women • Managed land and farms while men served. • Some travelled with army as cooks and nurses. • More politically active and expressed opinions more freely.
War Economy • Wealthy businessmen helped finance war or provide needed supplies. • Robert Morris • Silas Deane • “privateers” • legalized pirates wreaked havoc on British shipping for profit. • Took needed manpower away from field but contributed to win with gold and victories. • Inflation • Colonial currency badly devalued. • “Not worth a continental” • Caused morale to drop
C. Paris Peace Treaty - 1783 • Why did GB give up? • Could not maintain world wide war • Geo III willing to continue but Brits ready to come to terms • PM Lord North out and Whig Parliament favorable to Americans in. • Quick to draw Americans from further alliance with French.
Terms • US recognized as independent by GB with land to the Miss. River • Loyalists would be left alone and get their land back* • People who owed debt to GB before war would still have to pay them * • Why such generous terms? • Trying to seduce US away from France • Whig Parliament thought this might open up trade and prevent future wars
D. Revolution? Not This • No • Not a sudden or violent overturn of entire political and social framework (Like French and Russian Rev) • More of a rapid “evolution” • Yes • 80,000 Loyalist conservatives left leaving more “democratic” Whigs in their wake • Ideas of self – government not new, but a three branch federal republic certainly was. This
E. Articles of Confederation • Created and signed in 1781 • Loose alliance of states • No central authority – Congress was the chief agency of the gov’t • Each state got one vote • Amending the Articles required unanimous consent • Could not enforce tax collection or regulate commerce between states • No national army, just state militias • No uniform currency • Majorly flawed, but an important step towards Constitution.
Not a total bust • Land Ordinance of 1785 • Northwest area would be sold off to help pay debt. • 6 mi sq. townships with 36 1 sq. mi sections – one dedicated to public education. • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • Devised an orderly system for territories to become states. • 60,000 inhabitants and a prohibition of slavery.
Shays Rebellion • Daniel Shays a former Captain in colonial militia • Led backwoods farmers on a rebellion for farm foreclosures, taxes • Rebellion stopped but with effort. • Propertied class demanded a stronger central gov’t with national army. • Liberty! Ep. 6 17:17 – 22:00
F. The Constitution • A. Setting the Stage • 55 delegates meet in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787 • Sessions held in secret • Decided to scrap Articles (not amend) • James Madison – “Father of the Constitution”
+ • B. The Compromises • How states would be represented in Congress was the largest issue • Virginia Plan (Madison) – bicameral based on population • New Jersey Plan (Patterson) – unicameral with equal votes per state • Great Compromise (Sherman- CT)– bicameral legislature • Senate would have 2 votes per state • House of Representatives would be based on population = +
2. Power of the President • Federalists wanted a strong President • Anti-Feds feared powers in the hands of one • Compromised on one executive with limited powers. • 3. Slavery • North wanted slaves to be counted as one person for taxation but 0 for representation • South wanted slaves to be counted as one person for representation and 0 for taxation. • 3/5ths Compromise – Every 5 slaves would be counted as 3 for both.
4. Other Decisions • 3 branches of government with checks and balances on each other • The “elastic clause” or “necessary and proper clause” – allowed Congress to pass legislation that they deemed necessary and proper. • “Supremacy clause” – the authority of the national government is superior to that of the states.
5. Ratification • 9 of 13 states needed to ratify • Federalist supported it (Federalist Papers) and Anti-Federalist were either opposed or skeptical. • 9th states ratifies on June 21, 1788. • Bill of Rights (first 10 Amendments) ratified in Dec. 1791 – many Anti-Feds wouldn’t sign without it. • Liberty! 6 22:00