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.