2110.19 Chapter 7 part 2 History
The Challenge of The Revolution
Treaty of Paris, 1783
Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation.
U.S. territorial claims: from Canada to Florida and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River.
Fishing rights granted off St. Lawrence River.
Britain agreed to withdraw troops from U.S. territory promptly.
Debts were acknowledged and property was to be returned.
Territorial Gains
U.S. Territories Gained: Post Treaty of Paris, the map indicates significant territorial expansions.
Major Rivers: Mississippi River becomes a key boundary for U.S. territory.
Historical context with reference to early state formations, including land cessions.
The Articles of Confederation, 1777
Articles served as a framework for permanent unity among the states.
Central issues revolved around states' rights versus federal authority.
Articles granted Congress powers to:
Conduct foreign affairs
Engage in war and peace
Operate the postal service
Address boundary disputes.
Limitations of the Articles
What the Articles could NOT do:
Lacked power to tax.
Couldn't raise troops.
Not ratified until 1781, demonstrating initial challenges faced.
State Constitutions
By 1778, all 13 states created their own constitutions post-independence.
Emphasis on governmental authority arising from the consent of the governed.
Most states adopted a bicameral assembly; exceptions included Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Six states included a Bill of Rights in their constitutions to protect individual freedoms.
Slavery in 1790
Significant geographical distribution of slave populations across states.
Highlighted increased constraints around slavery as states began passing gradual emancipation laws.
The Language of Liberty
Gradual emancipation laws in states like Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New York reflect early governmental movement against slavery.
Massachusetts fully abolished slavery by 1789, indicating a shifting national ethos.
Major Concerns of the Confederation
Central issues included:
Repaying war debt.
Establishing formal peace with Indigenous alliances.
Organizing settlement of western territories.
Shays' Rebellion, 1786
Farmers protested economic injustices, forcing closure of courthouses in western Massachusetts.
Illustrates dissatisfaction with government failures and the inadequacy of the Articles.
Provoked a realization of needing a structured national army.
Revising the Articles of Confederation
Delegates met in Annapolis, Maryland to address trade regulations; underscored inadequacy of representation as only five states attended.
The intent was for a comprehensive revision to improve governance.
The Constitutional Convention
In May 1787, 55 delegates from 12 states convened; Rhode Island did not participate.
A diverse group, many had significant political experience, with George Washington elected as presiding officer.
Keys to the Constitutional Framework
A Republic vs. Direct Democracy:
Republic: Representative government that protects individual rights and balances power among branches.
Direct Democracy: Collective decision-making without protections for minority rights, often chaotic.
Virginia Plan
Proposed a new document replacing the Articles, advocating for:
A three-branch government with representatives based on state population.
Suggested a bicameral legislature.
New Jersey Plan
In opposition to the Virginia Plan, proposed by William Patterson for smaller states:
Suggested a unicameral legislature and equal representation for each state.
The Great Compromise
Combined elements from both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans:
Establishment of a bicameral legislature with population-based representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.
Checks and Balances
Framework designed to prevent majority tyranny by ensuring balance among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
House represents the popular will while Senate serves as a check.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Addressed representation and taxation, counting three-fifths of enslaved individuals for these purposes.
Reflects ongoing tension between northern and southern states regarding slavery.
Ratification of the Constitution
Required approval from nine states; rapid ratification by several states.
Federalists advocated for a stronger national government, while Anti-Federalists feared tyranny and called for a Bill of Rights.
Federalist Papers
Authored by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison, these essays defended the Constitution and argued for its ratification.
Highlighted the danger of factions and the necessity of a larger republic to mitigate risks.