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Ch. 9 - The Confederation and Constitution 1776-1790. Pursuit of Equality. Democratic ideals began to seep into Amer. Society following the Revolution Anti-slavery ideas develop as early as 1775 – Quaker society in Phila .
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Pursuit of Equality • Democratic ideals began to seep into Amer. Society following the Revolution • Anti-slavery ideas develop as early as 1775 – Quaker society in Phila. • Slavery was still too divisive an issue to try to end – Northern states began to abolish slavery – Southern states did not
Constitution Making in the State • YOU DO LATER ON!
Economic Consequences • British land was taken and split into small farms • Amer. was cut off from selling in British ports but could now trade with any country • Huge debt after the war – the colonists borrowed more than they could hope to pay back • Tax issues anyone!!!
A Shaky Start Toward Union • YOU DO LATER!!
Creating a Confederation • YOU DO LATER!!!!
The Articles of Confederation • Amer. 1st Constitution • 13 independent states and one Congress • Each state had a single vote in the Congress – problems anyone?!? • Any change to the articles required all 13 states to vote together • Congress was made weak – asked for taxes but did not require them to be paid
Landmarks in Land Laws • Old Northwest – territory between NY and Miss. River, south of the Great Lakes • Land Ordinance of 1785 – Old NW should be sold and proceeds used to pay off the national debt • NW Ordinance of 1787 – territories w/ more than 60,000 residents could apply to become states in the U.S.
The World’s Ugly Duckling • Amer. Got no love on the world stage • Britain was no friend to Amer. • Spain shut Amer. out from the Miss. River • France called in their loans from the Revolutionary War
Horrid Specter of Anarchy • Shay’s Rebellion – 1786 – Mass. • Poor backcountry farmers were losing farms b/c of high debt and inability to pay taxes • Hundreds of angry farmers led by D.Shays rose up and demanded lower taxes and stop property takeovers • Shaysites and Mass. Authorities fought and 3 were killed • Shays was condemned to death but later pardoned
A Convention of “Demigods” • 1786 – trouble is brewing – commerce meeting is held and only 5 states show up • 1787 – meeting in Phila. Proposed and all states agree – except R.I. • Only landowning men were elected and sent by each state as delegates (reps.) • 55 delegates met in Phila. To fix Amer.
Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises • VA Plan – bicameral congress (2 houses) based on population – the more you got the more reps. You get • NJ Plan – unicameral congress – based on equal representation for ALL states • Great Compromise – bicameral congress – House of Reps. - # of reps based on state’s pop. Senate – each state gets 2 senators no matter how big or small • Three Fifths Compromise – slaves counted as 3/5 a person. Why would southern states want slaves counted as people. • Set the date to end the slave trade at 1807 • Constitution is written by the summer of 1787
Clash of Federalists and Antifederalists • Antifederalists – against federal govt. and strong, central govt. • Sam Adams, Patrick Henry • Poorest citizens and for state’s rights • Though upper class was going to abuse power
cont. • Federalists • Ben Franklin, G. Washington, Alexander Hamilton • More educated and better organized citizens • Tended to be more well to do and thought the govt. needed to be strong
The Great Debate in the States • During the summer of 1787 • Each state had to ratify (approve) the Constitution • It did not just pass – much debate in the states • Only land owning residents could vote in the states • 11 out of 13 states ratified the Constitution – R.I and N.C. lagged behind
Constitution • The Constitution would ultimately embrace freedom and rights to American citizens in all STATES and at the same time provide structure, order and a strong NATIONAL government for all citizens.
