Forging the Republic: Revolution & the New Nation (1754-1820s)

1. Forging the Republic: Revolution & the New Nation (1754-1820s)

2. French & Indian War (1754-1763)

3. Consequences of French & Indian War • No French threat on the frontier to create a common enemy for colonists and British Empire • Possibility of enhanced westward expansion for colonists – not welcomed in London • Weakened relations between the Crown and the Thirteen Colonies thanks to a “culture clash” from military partnership

4. Prelude to Revolution

5. Colonial Grievances • Restrictions on westward expansion • Taxation without representation • Conspiracy theory that gradual enslavement politically was the British goal • Inability to trade internationally • Connections and social standing mattered more than merit

6. Boston as the Flashpoint

7. Proverbial “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” – Lexington Green – Apr 1775

8. Declaration of Independence

9. Strategic Overview of War

10. Patriot Battle Plan • Win a war of attrition by wearing down British • Not necessary to win battles and occupy much territory • Use guerilla tactics with small units and skirmishes and quick retreats with armies • Avoid conventional, 18th Century style engagements that favored British • Took some setbacks for this strategy to be accepted

11. Most Desperate Hour for Patriots – Trenton – Dec 1776

12. French Join the Patriots – Keyed by Victory at Saratoga – Oct 1777

13. Final Victory – Yorktown – Oct 1781

14. Problems Within Patriot Movement • Slavery question – more slaves won their freedom serving with British than among Patriots • Class tensions – commoners wanted more of a voice than gentry class was generally willing to allow • State authorities often uncooperative with Washington and Continental Congress

15. Treaty of Paris (1783)

16. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation • No chief executive of any significance • No ability for national government to tax or set trade policy • No high court of the land • Unanimous consent required to amend Articles • In effect, a recipe for chaos

17. Constitutional ConventionMay-Sep 1787 • Consensus around establishing what scholars call a republican regency – essentially protecting the people from themselves • Slavery question put off through 3/5 Compromise and ban on international slave trade after 1808 • Large state/small state differences settled with two-house Congress as we know it today

18. Ratification Debate • Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists • Liberty vs. Order – Where is proper equilibrium? • Argument by James Madison in Federalist Essay #10 • Federalists win the day with promise of national Bill of Rights

19. Election of George Washington

20. Emergence of Rudimentary Political Parties • Federalists led by John Adams and Alexander Hamilton • Favored loose interpretation of Constitution • Desired strong national government • Order prioritized over liberty • Pro-British foreign policy • Self-styled “aristocrats” • Ceased to be national force after Adams presidency (1797-1801)

21. Emergence of Political Parties (continued) • Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison • Favored strict interpretation of Constitution • States’ rights party • Pro-French foreign policy • Self-styled “democrats” • Favored by agricultural interests vs. industrially- and commercially-oriented Federalists

22. XYZ Affair & Quasi-War with France

23. Louisiana Purchase - 1803

24. War of 1812 (1812-1815)

25. Missouri Compromise - 1820

26. Rise of Andrew Jackson

27. Political Impact of Jackson • Democratic Party and its eventual opposition initially built around him • Signified rise of the common man and necessity to cater politics towards the public • Took everything in politics personally • Used more vetoes than all previous presidents combined • Made the presidency a more powerful institution than most Founders had anticipated

28. Recommended Primary Sources for Papers & Other Assignments • Novanglus essay by John Adams (1775) • “Give me Liberty or Give me Death “ speech by Patrick Henry (1775) • Common Sense and The American Crisis essays by Thomas Paine (1776) • Declaration of Independence (1776) • Farewell Address by George Washington (1796)

29. Primary Sources (continued) • Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom by Thomas Jefferson (1786) • Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson (1798-1799) • Monroe Doctrine (1823) • U.S. Supreme Court decision in Cherokee Nation v. the State of Georgia (1831)