Unit 1: 1763-1800-The Creation of a New Nation

French and Indian War & Road to Revolution

• A war between Britain and France in North America. Britain won but was left with huge debt.

• Britain taxed the colonies to pay for war debt, angering colonists (Led to American Revolutio)

• Changing attitudes: British feel entitled to tax colony bc they fought france for the colony, and they have a mindset that they are very low level. saw colonists as disloyal and weak; colonists began to resent British control and felt treated unfairly.

Proclamation of 1763

• Banned colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflict with Native Americans.

• Colonists were angry because they had fought in the war expecting to move west.

Mercantilism

• Economic system where colonies existed to benefit the mother country (Britain).

• Colonies had to trade only with Britain, which limited their economy

Salutary Neglect

Intially, britain alllowed colonies to govern themselves with little interference, but it ended after the french and indian war, whicj made colonies rebelious

American Revolution: Causes

• Stamp Act (1765): Tax on paper goods; first direct tax; angered colonists.

• Boston Massacre (1770): British soldiers killed 5 colonists during a protest; increased anti-British feelings.(american yelled fire)

• Boston Tea Party (1773): Colonists protested the Tea Act by dumping British tea into Boston Harbor.

• Intolerable Acts (1774): Punishment for the Tea Party; closed Boston Harbor and removed self-government in Massachusetts.

• “No taxation without representation”: Colonists' slogan—wanted a say in Parliament if they were going to be taxed.

• Lexington and Concord (1775): First battles of the Revolution; "the shot heard 'round the world."

Loyalists/Tories

Colonists who remained loyal to the britain during the revolution

Common sense

powerful pamphlet written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolution, which argued persuasively for the American colonies to declare independence from Great Britain.

- it was against common sense for a large continent to be governed by a small island.

-Paine also criticized the idea of a hereditary monarchy

-argued for a government based on the consent of the governed.

Olive Branch Petition

Last attempt by colonist to avoid war, asked king George III for peach but he rejected it

Political Ideas of the Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson (1776); declared U.S. independence.

Based on Enlightenment ideas: natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), government by consent, right to overthrow unjust government.

Strengths and Weaknesses: British vs Colonial Army

• British Strengths: Trained army, navy, money, resources.

• British Weaknesses: Far from home, unfamiliar land, unpopular war.

• Colonial Strengths: Fighting for freedom, home advantage, George Washington’s leadership.

• Colonial Weaknesses: Poorly trained, little money, no navy.

Reason for American victory in Revolutionary War

1. French and Spanish Assistance: France gave military support, supplies, and naval assistance, which significantly tipped the scales in favor of the Americans. Spain also joined the war later, further aiding the American cause. 

Home-Field Advantage: they were fighting on their own land, which meant they knew the geography well, could get supplies easily, and had the support of most people living there.

Motivation for Independence: The colonists were deeply motivated by their desire for freedom from British rule, which fueled their persistence and determination throughout the war. 

British Mistakes: The British army made several strategic errors, including underestimating the American resolve, failing to adapt to guerilla warfare tactics, and struggling with logistical challenges due to the vastness of the American territory. 

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Britain declared U.S as independednt nation and gave land up to the Mississippi river

Declaration of Independence: Enlightenment Influence

Inspired by John Locke (natural rights, social contract)
Promoted liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty

Articles of Confederation and Constitution

• First U.S. government (1781–1789); weak national government.

  Strengths of the Articles of Confederation (AOC):

  1. State Sovereignty: Gave states power to govern themselves.

  2. Declared Independence: Helped secure the U.S. independence from Britain.

  3. Land Ordinances: Managed western land, allowing for settlement and growth.

  Weaknesses of the AOC:

  1. Weak Central Government: The national government couldn’t enforce laws or taxes.

  2. No Executive or Judicial Branch: No president or courts to handle issues.

  3. Interstate Disputes: States acted like separate countries, causing trade and boundary problems.

  • The central government could not force taxes, it relied on voluntary contributions from states, which proved unreliable. 

  • Did not have the power to control trade between states or with other countries, which resulted in conflicts and economic problems because individual states could set their own trade rules, leading to barriers and unfair competition between them

  • The lack of a standing army and the reliance on state militias made it difficult to defend the nation or quell internal rebellions like Shays' Rebellion. 

Reasons Why AOC Was Replaced

National government too weak to solve problems (like trade or defense).

• Ineffective Government: Couldn't handle national problems like economic issues, interstate trade, or defense.

• Weak Economy: States had different currencies, and there was no way to regulate trade or taxes.

• Shay's Rebellion: Showed the government’s inability to respond to civil unrest, making it clear the system wasn’t working.

• Need for a Stronger Union: The AOC created a weak central government, so the U.S. needed a stronger federal system to function properly.

• making it difficult to address pressing issues like national debt and interstate disputes.

• This lack of central authority ultimately led to a call for a more robust government, culminating in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the adoption of the United States Constitution. 

Shay’s Rebellion (1786–87)

What was it?: A revolt led by farmers, mostly veterans were facing the threat of losing their land, in 1786–1787 in Massachusetts. They were protesting high taxes, debt, and economic hardship.

Why it showed weakness: The central government couldn't help end the rebellion because it had no army and no ability to raise money or enforce laws. This exposed the AOC’s inability to maintain order and protect citizens.

Shays' Rebellion exposed the inability of the weak federal government under the Articles of Confederation to maintain order and address economic issues within the state

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

• Set rules for new states joining the U.S.

• Banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

• Guaranteed rights and public education.

The Constitution - Great Compromise

Great Compromise – Virginia and New Jersey Plans = Virginia wanted representation to be based on population size while New Jersey wanted equal representation for all states. This created the House of Representatives: Representation based on population (benefited large states). And Senate: Equal representation for each state (2 senators per state, benefiting small states).

3/5ths Compromise, how north and south states feel?

• Each enslaved person counted as 3/5 of a person for taxes and representation.

• Southern States wanted slaves to count as part of their population to gain more representation in Congress, even though slaves didn’t have rights or votes.

• Northern States argued that slaves should not be counted for representation, since they had no political rights.

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Debate

• Federalists (Led by Alexander Hamilton)

  • Wanted to create a stable, unified nation with a strong economy and military.

  • Believed in the need for a national government that could control trade, tax, and defend the country.

  • Supported a loose interpretation of the Constitution, meaning the government could do things not directly stated in the Constitution (implied powers).

  Anti-Federalists (Led by Thomas Jefferson)

  • Feared a strong central government would become tyrannical, much like the British monarchy.

  • Believed in more power for states and local governments, arguing that people should have more control over their laws and taxes.

  • Supported a strict interpretation of the Constitution, meaning the government should only do what is explicitly written in the document.

  • No tarrif - Jefferson’s opposition to tariffs was based on his belief in smaller government, his focus on agriculture, and his desire for a more decentralized economy with free trade.; compomised jefferson with the capitol in DC. 

AMending the constitution

• Process to change the Constitution.

• Requires 2/3 of Congress and 3/4 of states to approve

lose/strict interpretation; why does it matter

LOOSE 

The federal government has implied powers beyond what is directly stated in the Constitution, and the meaning of the Constitution can change over time to reflect current circumstances.

A loose interpretation would allow for the creation of a national bank, even though it's not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. This is based on the Necessary and Proper Clause.

A strict interpretation would argue that if the Constitution doesn't specifically allow for a national bank, then the government can't create one (like Jefferson opposed the idea of a national bank proposed by Hamilton).

Why It Matters:

Strict Interpretation would limit the power of the federal government, focusing more on states' rights.

Loose Interpretation allows for a broader federal government with the ability to adapt to changing times and circumstances.

Washington warning

Political Parties: Washington warned against the dangers of political parties, believing they would divide the nation and cause conflict.

Foreign Alliances: He also warned against getting too involved in entangling alliances with foreign nations, advising the U.S. to maintain neutrality in European conflicts.

Whiskey tax

To raise funds for the federal government and pay off war debt, Alexander Hamilton,which heavily impacted farmers who used whiskey as currency and for trade. farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled against the tax. Washington responded by sending federal troops to suppress the rebellion, showing the government's ability to enforce its laws.

Hamilton’s plan

Hamilton’s plan

Key Components:

• Assumption of state debts: The federal government would take on state debts from the Revolutionary War.

• National Bank: A national bank would help regulate the economy and issue currency.

• Tariffs: Hamilton proposed tariffs on imported goods to raise revenue and protect American industries.

Controversy: Jefferson and Madison opposed the plan, arguing it gave too much power to the federal government, and feared it favored wealthy elites. 

Compare adam’s policies to washiton: 

Xyz affair:

American diplomats were sent to France to negotiate peace during a time of rising tensions (known as the Quasi-War). However, French officials (referred to as X, Y, and Z) demanded bribes before they would meet with the Americans. Adams resisted calls for full-scale war, opting for diplomacy rather than conflict, which later helped secure peace with France.

Alien and sedition Act

Gave the president the power to deport foreigners considered dangerous or harmful to the U.S.

Sedition Act: Made it a crime to criticize the government or its officials, which targeted newspapers and political opponents

Outcome: The acts were highly controversial and led to protests, especially from the Democratic-Republicans, who saw them as a violation of free speech. 

Nulification

Nulification: Nullification refers to the idea that states could reject or nullify federal laws they believed were unconstitutional.

Context: In response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison wrote the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, arguing that states had the right to declare federal laws null and void.