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Critical Period: Origins of American Government. Newburgh Conspiracy. What was it? What was its significance?. North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783. State Constitutions. Republicanism. Most had strong governors with veto power. Most had bicameral legislatures.
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Newburgh Conspiracy • What was it? • What was its significance?
State Constitutions • Republicanism. • Most had strong governors with veto power. • Most had bicameral legislatures. • Property required for voting. • Some had universal white male suffrage. • Most had bills of rights. • Many had a continuation of state-established religions while others disestablished religion.
Occupational Composition of Several State Assembliesin the 1780s
Articles of Confederation Government: 1781-1789
Accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation • Kept the states together after the American Revolution • Negotiated the Treaty of Paris of 1783 • Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • One of the major accomplishments of the Confederation Congress! • Statehood achieved in three stages: • 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.
Weaknesses of theArticles of Confederation • A unicameral Congress [9 of 13 votes to pass a law]. • 13 out of 13 to amend. Why was this such a problem? • Representatives were frequently absent. • Could not tax or raise armies. • No executive or judicial branches.
Weaknesses Continued • Could not settle disputes between the states • Could not regulate interstate Commerce (States were taxing each other’s goods) • Did not have a monopoly on Currency
Legitimate Fears of Dissolution and War • States fighting each other over boundaries (North and South Carolina) • Massive inflation: Why? • Trade inequities with Great Britain: Why? • Lack of Foreign Respect from • Great Britain: How? Why couldn’t we do anything about it? • France: How? Why? • Spain: How? Why? • North Africa: How? Why?
Disputed Territorial ClaimsBetween Spain & the U. S.:1783-1796
Annapolis Convention (1786) • 12 representatives from 5 states[NY, NJ, PA, DE, VA] • GOAL address barriers that limited trade and commerce between the states. • Not enough states were represented to make any real progress. • Sent a report to the Congress to call a meeting of all the states to meet in Philadelphia to examine areas broader than just trade and commerce.
Shays’ Rebellion: 1786-7 • Daniel Shays • Western MA • Small farmers angered by crushing debts and taxes.
Shays’ Rebellion: 1786-7 There could be no stronger evidence of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders. -- George Washington
Philadelphia Convention • Mandated Purpose: • Secrecy: Why? • What states were there? Who was not? • Who were the Delegates? • Beard’s Thesis v. Commager’s Thesis
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”]. Classical view of a model republic EnlightenmentThinking The“VirtuousRepublic” “City on a hill”[John Winthrop] Ideal citizen[Cincinnatus]
Key Concerns of the Delegates • Interstate Commerce • Protection of Property • National Security/ International Influence • National Unity • The National Debt
Essential Dilemmas Facing the Constitutional Convention • States Rights v. Central Power • The Design of the Federal Level and Division of Power within this Branch • The Degree of Democracy
The U.S. Constitution: Document of Compromise • Great (Connecticut) Compromise: • Large State (Va.) v. Small State (NJ) Slave Trade Compromise: Executive Compromise: 3/5 Compromise:
Anti Democratic Elements of the U.S. Constitution • Federal Judges appointed for life by President. • President indirectly elected by the Electoral College. Why?? • Senators elected by State Legislatures • Who could vote? Who couldn’t? • ONLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED DIRECTLY.
Ratification Fight • Federalists v. Antifederalists • Small states approved: Why? Del., NJ, Ga., Conn. Pennsylvania Massachusetts Maryland, S.C., NH Adopted but who left out??
Laggard States • Virginia: Patrick Henry v. George Washington, James Madison, John Marshall • New York: Manhood Suffrage for delegates • Federalist Papers: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay • Who’s left?
Bill of Rights • Why did James Madison write them? Challenge Questions: Who is Dakota Meyer and what did he do?? What were the proposed amendments 11 and 12 that were not ratified?