Chapter 6 - shaping a federal union

the critical period

1777-1788 (around 10 years) AOC

articles of confederation

weak central government, no taxes,

1. government could “ask” for money

2. western land issues

3. major land ordinances 1784-1787

land ordinance 1785

favors wealthy people, townships = 36 sq mile

1 lot = 1 sq mile, (640 acres @ 1 dollar)

1 lot dedicated to supporting education

northwest ordinance 1787

excluded slavery, terminal territorial requirements for becoming a state (1 gov. 1 secretary 3 judges) all chosen by congress

northwest ordinance guaranteed

civil rights & fair treatment for natives, statehood at 60,000 population, anticipated statehood for our colonies

diplomatic problems britain

occupying forts on american soil, inciting indians against american settlers.

diplomatic problems spain

dispute over southern boundary, closed miss. river from American trade, incited natives to attack american colonists, demands for paper currency (nationwide paper currency shortage in U.S.)

Shay’s Rebellion

1,200 farmers - Daniel Shays raided springfield arsenal, farmers were taxed to pay off rebellion debt.

shay’s rebellion significance

demands for stronger government from upper class, starts federalist party, wanted to “revise” AOC

Annapolis Convention

only 5 states participated, discussed ratification

Constitutional Convention 1787

Philosophy: Power for the people, protect from tyranny of majority, stronger government essential. met in secret, Jefferson called “assembly of demi-gods’ Philadelphia Revision - Rhode island dissented

convention decisions

scrap articles of confederation, create new document and government

new government needs to

levy taxes, regulate commerce, raise army and navy, make laws binding on citizens

new government does not need to

issue money, wage war, levy tariffs on supported goods

Virginia Plan

Big state plan -bicameral representation based on population

New Jersey Plan

small state plan - equal representation for all states

the great compromise

house of representatives counted by population, senate has equal representation for all states

3/5 compromise

slaves count as 3/5 a person for taxation and representation

atlantic slave trade decisions

continued, banned set to be effective in 1808 (20 years then illegal)

women’s rights

“remember the ladies” - abigail adams (they were not remembered or discussed literally at all)

segregation of powers

;legislative - house of representatives

executive - veto congressional acts (2/3 vote can override president) can be impeached

judicial - interprets laws

electoral college

each state has the same number of electoral votes as its has senators/house of representatives

judicial review

the power to interpret the constitutionality of federal laws

fight for ratification

convention delegates agreed 9 states must vote in favor to ratify AOC

national debate

federalists vs antifederalists

federalists

urbane, cosmopolital, organized, articulate, educated, generally wealthy

anti-federalists

(democratic republicans) - farmers, frontiersmen, feared strong central government, states rights

federalist papers

collection of essays Hamilton (51) Madison (29) Jay (5) published under name publius

federalist argument for constitution

-no tyranny with checks and balances, country’s size and -diversity would preclude a monarchy of power no group motive (Most important Madison #10)

anti federalists argument against constitution

noted no bill of rights for individuals and states, said ratification process irregular (even illegal under AOC, needed 13), secrecy must mean conspiracy

ratification details

small states acted 1st, NH 9th state Va and Ny help out but won over by Madison’s promise of bill of rights, new york made capital

biggest failure of constitution

failure to address slavery issue