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Chapter 9

This chapter explores key themes and events during the formation of the Confederation and the Constitution in the late 18th century. It discusses the pursuit of equality, the creation of state constitutions, economic changes, and the challenges faced in creating a confederation. The clash between Federalists and Antifederalists is also highlighted.

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Chapter 9

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  1. Chapter 9 The Confederation and the Constitution, 1776–1790

  2. I. The Pursuit of Equality • More males allowed to vote • Separation of church and state issues • Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1786) • Incomplete equality for women • New Jersey’s 1776 constitution = women could vote • “Republican motherhood” women=nation's conscience • Central to republican ideology was Civic virtue • Unselfish commitment of each to the public good

  3. LOOK 4 CONTINUING THEMES 1700s? 1800s? 1900? 2000s?

  4. II. Constitution Making in the States • ‘Colonies’ wrote new ‘state’ constitutions (1776) • Common state constitutional features • Contained three branches • Legislatures were given the most powers

  5. DrawOhio’sFlag

  6. III. Economic Crosscurrents • Positive Economic changes • Former crown lands - cheap and easily available • Less trade w/ GB (manufacturing stimulus) • Independence had economic drawbacks • Fisheries were disrupted • Inflation made most worse off economically • People against local & state taxes

  7. IV. A Shaky Start Toward Union • Disruptive forces try to foil new governments • Government of experimentation and innovation • Many areas use to ruling themselves • Many areas blessed with good political leaders

  8. V. Creating a Confederation • After D of I the 3 states were sovereign • They coined money, raised armies/navies, erected tariffs • The Articles of Confederation • Adopted in 1777, ratified by states in 1781 • Unanimous approval by the 13 states required • Western lands to be used for the “common benefit” • Led to Northwest Ordinance of 1787

  9. VI. The Articles of Confederation: America’s First Constitution • “Articles of Confusion” • No executive branch, no judicial branch • Congress had no power to regulate commerce • Congress couldn’t enforce tax-collection • Congress could not control Independent states • The Articles of Confederation did… • Provide nation with our first written constitution • Hold the states together in a ‘perpetual union’ • A precursor to the Constitution of the United States

  10. Independence Hall in Philadelphia p164

  11. VII. Landmarks in Land Laws • Old Northwest = upper midwest/Great Lakes • Land Ordinance of 1785 • Old Northwest land to be sold to pay national debt • Northwest Ordinance (1787) • Explain national expansion (territory, then state) • The Ordinance forbid slavery • The Ordinance require public education

  12. VIII. The World’s Ugly Duckling • Foreign relations with Britain remained troubled • Keep forts / trading posts on U.S. territory • Spain openly hostile to the new Republic • Closed Mississippi River to U.S. goods and ships • France, USA’s friend, focused on domestic issues • Barbary pirates ravaged U.S. in Mediterranean

  13. Map 9-3 p167

  14. IX. The Horrid Specter of Anarchy • The “Critical Era’ (1780’s) • Economic problems • Inflation and debt were a major issue • Shays’ Rebellion in western Massachusetts • Civic virtue losing to self-interest and greed • Political problems • State legislatures not stable enough • National government not powerful enough

  15. p168

  16. X. A Convention of “Demigods” • Annapolis convention of 1786 • Only 5 states attended, called for a convention in 1787 • The delegates at Philadelphia • 12 states (all but Rhode Island) • High caliber people (Jefferson called them ‘demigods’) • George Washington was elected chairman • Benjamin Franklin was the elder statesman • James Madison dubbed ‘Father of the Constitution’

  17. Independence Hall (Philadelphia)

  18. Inside Independence Hall

  19. XI. Patriots in Philadelphia • Characteristics of the 55 delegates • Young, conservative, wealthy, successful, experienced • ‘Nationalists’ – goal keep the ‘union’ • Wanted a stable endurable political structure • Wanted a more powerful central • Believed in republicanism but worried about • Threats from abroad • Excesses at home (“mobocracy”)

  20. YOUNGESTSIGNEROF THE CONSTITUTION

  21. XII. Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises • Delegates decided to completely scrap A of C • Virginia Plan—Bicameral based on population • New Jersey Plan—Unicameral equal representation • The Great (New Jersey) Compromise • Bicameral: H of R = population, Senate = equal • Electoral College compromise • Three-fifths compromise • Slave trade (20 year) compromise • The final Constitution is vague, allows flexibility • The national government increased their power

  22. XIII. Safeguards for Conservatism • Federal judges were to be appointed for life • President elected indirectly by Electoral College • Senators chosen indirectly by state legislatures • H of R chosen by citizens • Checks and balances developed

  23. “POP”ESSAY What were three of the most important differences between the Articles and the Constitution? 50 WORDS IN 5 MINUTES

  24. XIV. The Clash of Federalists & Antifederalists • 9 of 13 states had to ratify The Constitution • Antifederalists - against Constitutional ratification • Opposed a stronger federal gov’t • Poor, small farmers, debtors • Saw Constitution as a “gilded trap” • Federalists - for Constitutional ratification • Supported a stronger federal gov’t • Wealthy, business & land owners • More educated, more organized

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