Administering the Peace and the “Critical Period ” (1783-1787)

1. Administering the Peace and the “Critical Period”(1783-1787) Problems with the Articles of Confederation

2. Treaty of Paris, 1783 Treaty officially ending the American Revolution and to “secure . . . a perpetual peace and harmony” between US and GB. Resolving the Issues • Acknowledging the United States to be free, sovereign and independent states, and that the British Crown and all heirs and successors relinquish claims to the Government, propriety, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof; • Establishing the boundaries between the United States and British in North America

3. Mapping it Out What are the new boundaries of the United States? Where were potential areas of disputes?

4. Mutual Obligations 3. Granting fishing rights to United States’ fishermen in the Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence; 4. Recognizing the lawful contracted debts to be paid to creditors on either side; 5. The Congress of the Confederation will "earnestly recommend" to state legislatures to recognize the rightful owners of all confiscated lands "provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties, which have been confiscated belonging to real British subjects [Loyalists]”; 6. United States will prevent future confiscations of the property of Loyalists; 7. All hostilities should cease, prisoners of war on both sides should be released, British will withdraw all armies from every post with “all convenient speed” 8. Great Britain and the United States were each to be given perpetual access to the Mississippi River;

5. Concluding the Document 9. Territories captured by Americans before signing of treaty will be returned; 10. Ratification of the treaty will occur within six months from the signing by the contracting parties. Can a treaty “perpetually” resolve the problems between two countries?

6. British delegation refused to sit for Benjamin West’s portrait commemorating signing of the Treaty.

7. The Critical Period (1783-1787) The “Critical Period” is a term used to describe the first five years after the American Revolution. The term represents the dangerous position the newly formed country found itself. Throughout the period, hardships and obstacles threatened to end the democratic “experiment” before it could really begin.

8. Problems Facing the New Nation The new REPUBLIC was faced by tremendous problems: 1) New government hastily created during wartime. 2) New lands acquired, but no rules for it. 3) Rivalries among the new states. 4) Disrespect from the outside world (friends, foes, and pirates). 5) Massive war debt and an economic depression.

9. Powers of the A of C The A of C consisted of a legislative branch with each state having onevote in Congress. No separate executive branch or judicial branch existed. At least nine states needed to agree in order to pass a law and all 13 to amend the A of C. States allowed the A of C to: Conduct foreign policy ( negotiate treaties, alliances, declare war) Create army and navy Appropriate, borrow and issue money Regulate Indian relations Establish post roads and postal office Administer new territories

10. Problems with New Lands Competing land claims in the West caused problems among the states. This dispute threatened to destroy the Articles of Confederation before it could officially begin because Maryland refused to ratify the document until Virginia and Connecticut dropped their land claims in the West Articles gave power to handle new lands – But How?

11. Land Ordinance of 1785 andNorthwest Ordinance • Land Ordinance (1785) • Organized land west of Appalachian Mts. into as many as 10 “states.” • Allowed for sale of land proceeds going directly to the Central Government.

12. Northwest Ordinance • The most important piece of legislation passed by the Articles of Confederation: • Established method to admit new states – three stages (5,000/5,000-60,000/60,000+). • Guaranteed civil rights. • Outlawed Slavery (the debate begins). • Set precedent for “western expansion”.

13. Limitations of the A of C States did not allow the A of C to: • Regulate trade • Draft or conscript troops • Levy taxes If Congress needed soldiers or money, it could only petition state legislatures. So, what could the Articles do?

14. British Problems British refused obey the terms of the Treaty of Paris. (Claim US violations of treaty - which were true) The British: • Did not send foreign minister (1 or 13?) • Ignored John Adams (acting ambassador) • Denied fishing rights/arrest and “impress” fishermen • Refused to leave Western Forts • Armed/Aided/Advised Western Indians

15. Spanish Problems Spanish refuse to respect American rights in new lands: • Moved into disputed lands claimed by GA and SC. • Armed/Aided Seminole Indian raiders. • Helped slaves escape and granted them freedom. • Tried to convince KY/TN resident to leave. • Denied US “right of deposit” at Port of New Orleans

16. Domestic Problems The central domestic problems facing the A of C were economic: • $75 million dollar debt (3.2 bill. today). • conflicts between lenders and debtors. • unregulated taxes between states.

17. Shays’ Rebellion (June 1786-Jan. 1787) • Farmers in Western MA. having difficulty selling produce (NY and CT laws) • Boston banks pressed farmers to repay loans – Farmers appeal to state legislatures to allow payment in commodities. • Daniel Shays (former revolutionary captain) organized farmers to resist the forced removal from land. They closed courts, freed prisoners, and marched towards Boston.

18. Shays’ Rebellion • Shays and 2,000 men rampaged throughout MA for 7 months. • A of C and MA. Govt. powerless to fight an insurrection. • Boston bankers pooled money and paid for private army to end the rebellion. • Jan. 25 - Shay defeated attempting to capture arsenal at Springfield, MA – Beaten by this private army. • Shay and 1,000 followers flee but eventually captured. • Convicted of treason, but granted amnesty.