CHP. 9 From Confederation to New Nation, 1776-1800
Essential Questions
How did the Articles of Confederation address the issues raised by the American Revolution?
How did the Constitution balance the power of the federal government with respect for individual rights?
How did marginalized groups in American society use the rhetoric of the American Revolution to assert their roles in the new nation?
In what ways did the emergence of Federalists and Democratic-Republicans reflect the contested legacies of the American Revolution?
How did European conflicts, particularly between France and England, create deep partisan divisions within the United States?
The Articles of Confederation
Overview of the Articles of Confederation
Established in 1781 as the first governing document of the United States.
Powers and Duties of Government
Created a unicameral legislature; Congress had limited powers.
States retained significant sovereignty and independence.
Intentional Weaknesses
Framers aimed to prevent tyranny by creating a weak central government.
One State: One Vote
Each state, regardless of population, had one vote in Congress.
Executive Committee
No separate executive branch to enforce laws, leading to inefficiency.
No Power to Tax
Federal government lacked the authority to levy taxes, causing financial instability.
The Conservative Backlash
Growing dissatisfaction with the Articles, including economic turmoil and interstate commerce issues.
The Money Problem
Rising debts and inflation due to inability to tax; reliance on state contributions.
Rural Unrest and Shays’s Rebellion
An armed uprising in 1786 led by Daniel Shays to protest economic injustices and aggressive tax collections.
Annapolis Convention
Meeting in 1786 to discuss trade issues and the weaknesses of the Articles; called for a Constitutional Convention.
The Conservative Constitution
The Constitutional Plans
Multiple proposals to address the inadequacies of the Articles:
Virginia Plan
Proposed a strong central government with a bicameral legislature based on population.
New Jersey Plan
Suggested a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.
Great Compromise and 3/5 Plan
Combined elements from both plans: House of Representatives based on population and Senate with equal representation.
The Conservative Constitution
Established a stronger federal government while protecting state rights.
Checks and Balances / Separation of Powers
Divided government into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Congressional Elections and Appointments
House of Representatives elected by the populace; Senate appointed by state legislatures (later changed to direct election).
Unelected Judiciary
Federal judges appointed for life, leading to concerns over accountability.
Ratification and the Federalist Papers
Arguments for the Constitution presented in a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
Bill of Rights
First ten amendments guaranteeing individual rights; significant to securing ratification.
Key Rights Enumerated
Included freedom of speech, press, assemblage, and disestablishment of religion.
Democratic Impulses on the Rise
Growing push for broader democratic participation, influenced by Enlightenment ideas.
On the Margins of the New Nation
Slavery in the New Nation
Deep-rooted institution complicating national identity and moral philosophy.
Gradual Emancipation Laws in the North
Steps toward ending slavery in northern states through legislation.
Northwest Ordinance (1787)
Established a method for admitting new states and prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.
International and Domestic Slave Trades
Continued debate surrounding the legality and morality of slave trading.
Disestablishment of Religious Authority
Separation of church and state leading to increased religious pluralism.
Women, Education, and Republican Motherhood
Expansion of education for women, emphasizing their roles in teaching republican values within families.
Federalists and Republicans
Legacy of the American Revolution
Varied interpretations led to distinct political ideologies.
Hamilton’s Program
Included influential financial policies:
Report on Public Credit
Advocated for federal assumption of state debts to stabilize the economy.
Funding and Assumption
Proposed a system of repaying and restructuring debts.
National Bank
First Bank of the United States to stabilize currency and credit.
Pro-British Foreign Policy
Preferred ties with Britain for trade and stability.
Challenging the Power of the Central Government
Pushback against Hamilton’s financial strategies and concentration of power.
The Whiskey Rebellion
A 1794 revolt against the excise tax on whiskey; highlighted tensions between government authority and agrarian interests.
Jeffersonian Republicanism
Emphasized agrarianism, states’ rights, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Agrarianism at the Center of Economic Life
Belief that agriculture should be the foundation of the economy.
Distrust of Banks and Economic Centralization
Opposition to Hamilton's economic policies and central financial institutions.
Pro-French Foreign Policy
Favoring France in foreign affairs over Britain.
States’ Rights
Strong emphasis on the rights and powers of states in opposition to federal governmental authority.
French Revolution and American Foreign Policy
Early Reactions to the Revolution
Mixed responses; Jeffersonians supported, while Federalists feared instability.
Jeffersonian Enthusiasm
Many viewed the French Revolution as an extension of the American Revolution.
Conservative Fears
Concerns about radicalism and potential anarchy.
Conflict with Britain Puts the US in a Tough Position
US caught in the middle of British and French hostilities, complicating foreign relations.
Franco-American Political Split
Diverging loyalties between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
Citizen Genet Scandal
French diplomat who attempted to recruit Americans for the French Revolutionary cause, causing a diplomatic crisis.
XYZ Affair
Diplomatic incident leading to the Quasi-War; involved French demands for bribes from American diplomats.
Quasi-War
Undeclared naval conflict between the US and France.
Domestic Fallout
Increased tensions and divisions within American politics as a result of foreign affairs.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Laws aimed at restricting immigration and limiting free speech against the government.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Statements asserting states’ rights to nullify federal laws perceived as unconstitutional.
Revolution of 1800
Term describing the peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans, marking a significant shift in American politics.
Wrapping Up Essential Points, Part I
Post-Revolution, debates leading to calls for a stronger central government arose due to international trade issues, financial crises, and internal unrest. (Chapter 9)
The Constitutional Convention reached compromises over representation, particularly regarding slave states and federal government authority over slavery and the slave trade. (Chapter 9)
A concept of “republican motherhood” emerged due to women’s roles during the Revolution and Enlightenment ideas, encouraging women to instill republican values in children. (Chapter 9)
“Republican motherhood” highlighted the growing importance of women in American political culture (Chapter 9).
The Federalist Papers articulated Federalist principles in the debate over ratifying the Constitution, pitted against the Anti-Federalists advocating for individual rights and limiting government power. (Chapter 9)
Federalists secured ratification of the Constitution by committing to the addition of a Bill of Rights, enumerating rights to protect individuals from government overreach. (Chapters 9-10)
Wrapping Up Essential Points, Part II
Varied political positions in the 1790s regarding national vs. state government relationships and foreign policy shaped governance and public debate. (Chapter 10)
Resulted in the formation of political parties, notably the Federalists under Alexander Hamilton and Democratic-Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. (Chapter 10)
Under George Washington and John Adams, political leaders established institutions and precedents that operationalized the Constitution's principles. (Chapter 10)
Political disagreements gave rise to Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties in the 1790s, reflecting diverging philosophies. (Chapter 10)
George Washington’s Farewell Address underscored national unity and warned against partisan divisions and the risks of permanent foreign alliances. (Chapter 10)