Hist 221 Test 2 Day 3

Mount Vernon Conference (1785)

• First meeting of several states to address inter-state issues.

  • Proposed to discuss navigation on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.

  • Held at George Washington's home, Mount Vernon.

  • Led to a broad framework for joint use of waterways.

Issues with the Articles of Confederation

• Legislative branch was the only branch at the national level.

• Absence of a president and supreme court made governance weak.

• Businesses suffered due to differing state policies on trade.

• Fears of foreign threats (e.g., from Britain and France) highlighted the need for a stronger military.

Annapolis Convention (1786)

• Called for representatives from all 13 states; attended by only five states.

• Limited accomplishments due to low attendance.

  • Delegates complained about Articles but made no firm changes.

• Two key delegates, James Madison (Virginia) and Alexander Hamilton (New York), advocated for a stronger central government.

Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787)

• Led by Daniel Shays, a Revolutionary War veteran, in Massachusetts.

• Poor farmers rebelled against the state government's failure to alleviate economic hardship.

  • Focused on issues of representation and currency systems.

• State government sought federal help but received none; federal response highlighted weaknesses in the government under the Articles.

Move Toward Constitutional Convention

• The chaos from Shays' Rebellion spurred discussions on revising the Articles.

• Confederation Congress eventually supported a convention to discuss more than just amendments.

• Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in 1787; aimed to create a new governing document.

Participation in the Convention

• Notable delegates included:

  • George Washington (President of the Convention)

  • James Madison (often called the "Father of the Constitution")

  • Alexander Hamilton

  • Benjamin Franklin (notable elder statesman)

Absentees from the Convention

• Not all revolutionaries attended:

  • Thomas Jefferson - ambassador in France.

  • John Adams - minister in Great Britain.

  • Patrick Henry - refused to attend, wary of potential government tyranny, famously stating he "smells a rat."

Outcomes of the Constitutional Convention

• Majority sought to discard the Articles entirely rather than just amend them.

• Majority Decision Process: Required only nine states to approve the new constitution, rather than unanimous consent required for amendments.

• Tensions existed between large and small states, and between Northern and Southern states regarding representation and slavery.

Slavery Discussions at the Convention

• Considered at a critical moment for slavery, especially regarding agricultural shifts.

  • Tobacco's decline raised questions about the future of slavery.

  • Virginia debated gradual emancipation, while states like South Carolina and Georgia opposed any changes.

• The invention of the cotton gin shortly after the convention solidified slavery's economic importance.

Conclusion

• Constitutional Convention established a framework for a strong central government, addressing significant weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

• Key figures and events highlighted differing opinions on governance and representation, particularly around the contentious issue of slavery.

__________________________________________________________________________

More detailed below

Mount Vernon Conference (1785)

• Significance: First meeting of several states to collaboratively address critical inter-state issues, showcasing the need for cooperation among states in the post-Revolutionary War period.

• Purpose: Proposed discussions focused primarily on navigation rights for the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, both crucial for trade and commerce.

• Location: Convened at George Washington's estate in Mount Vernon, serving not only as a practical meeting place but also symbolizing Washington's leadership role.

• Outcomes: Resulted in a broad framework for the joint use of waterways, which was a vital step towards resolving regional disputes and enhancing economic collaboration.

Issues with the Articles of Confederation

• Structure: The Legislative branch was the only national-level governmental body, creating a lack of balance in governance.

• Weaknesses: The absence of an executive branch (president) and a judiciary (supreme court) resulted in inefficient governance, leading to public discontent.

• Economic Impact: Businesses suffered significantly due to inconsistent trade policies among states, leading to economic fragmentation.

• Security Concerns: Heightened fears of foreign threats, especially from Britain and France, underscored a pressing need for a stronger military presence.

Annapolis Convention (1786)

• Attendance: Called for representatives from all 13 states but only five states sent delegates, highlighting the lack of engagement.

• Outcomes: Despite recognizing flaws in the Articles, the limited attendance meant that substantial changes were not discussed or made.

• Key Figures: Two pivotal delegates, James Madison (Virginia) and Alexander Hamilton (New York), emerged as strong advocates for a more robust central government, laying the groundwork for future reforms.

Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787)

• Leadership: Led by Daniel Shays, a Revolutionary War veteran, illustrating the struggles faced by poorer farmers in post-war America.

• Causes: Farmers rebelled in response to the state government's failure to address severe economic hardship, including high taxes and foreclosures.

• Issues Raised: The rebellion spotlighted important problems regarding representation and economic policies, further emphasizing the need for reform.

• Federal Response: State government sought assistance from the federal government but received none, exposing the weaknesses of the Articles and prompting calls for change.

Move Toward Constitutional Convention

• Impact of Rebellion: The chaos catalyzed by Shays' Rebellion spurred national discussions on the potential revision (or replacement) of the Articles of Confederation.

• Congressional Action: The Confederation Congress ultimately endorsed a convention not solely for amendments but aimed at creating a comprehensive new governing document.

Participation in the Convention

• Key Delegates Present:

  • George Washington: Served as the President of the Convention, lending his prestige and authority to the proceedings.

  • James Madison: Often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the document.

  • Alexander Hamilton: Advocated for a strong national government and played a critical role in promoting the Constitution.

  • Benjamin Franklin: Provided invaluable wisdom and experience as a prominent elder statesman.

• Notable Absentees:

  • Thomas Jefferson: Serving as the ambassador in France, his absence was felt as he was a significant figure in American politics.

  • John Adams: Engaged as the minister in Great Britain, limiting his direct input at the Convention.

  • Patrick Henry: Refused to attend due to suspicions of potential government tyranny, famously declaring he "smells a rat" about the Convention's intentions.

Outcomes of the Constitutional Convention

• Decisions Made: The Convention's majority favored discarding the Articles of Confederation entirely in favor of a stronger government framework.

• Approval Process: Required only nine states' approval for the new Constitution, contrasting the unanimous consent required for any amendments to the Articles, streamlining the revision process.

• Tensions: Ongoing debates existed between larger and smaller states over representation, as well as between Northern and Southern states regarding issues of slavery.

Slavery Discussions at the Convention

• Critical Moment: The Convention occurred at a pivotal time concerning slavery, particularly as economic shifts raised questions about its future in America.

• Economic Considerations: The decline of tobacco made certain states, like Virginia, consider gradual emancipation, while others, particularly South Carolina and Georgia, pushed back against any reforms.

• Technological Influence: The cotton gin's invention shortly after the Convention further entrenched slavery's economic importance in the South, complicating future legislative discussions.

Key Figures in the Constitutional Convention

• James Madison: Often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" for his significant role in drafting and promoting the document. Played a crucial part in discussions and debates during the Convention, advocating for a strong central government.

• Alexander Hamilton: A strong supporter of a robust national government, he contributed to the Convention by arguing for the Constitution and its principles, emphasizing the need for a strong executive and financial systems.

Conclusion

• Framework Established: The Constitutional Convention ultimately established a framework for a strong central government, addressing significant weaknesses observed under the Articles of Confederation.

• Diverse Opinions: Key figures and events emphasized differing views on governance and representation, particularly regarding the contentious issue of slavery and its implications for the nation’s future.