Ch 9 PowerPointmrglider.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/9/3/109362371/ch_9_powerpoint.pdf · – A state's share of electors based on total of its senators and representatives in Congress

Chapter9

TheConfederationandtheConstitution,

1776–1790

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I.AShakyStartTowardUnion

• Disruptiveforcesstalkedtheland:– DepartedToriesleftpoliticalsysteminclinedtowardexperimentationandinnovation

– Economystumbledpost-Revolution

• Yetthirteensovereignstates:– Sharedsimilarpoliticalstructures– Enjoyedrichpoliticalinheritance–Wereblessedwithgoodpoliticalleaders

II.ConstitutionMakingintheStates

• ConstitutionalCongressin1776calledoncoloniestodraftnewstateconstitutions:– Askedcoloniestosummonthemselvesintobeingasnewstates

– Sovereigntyofnewstateswouldrestonauthorityofthepeople

– ConnecticutandRhodeIslandmerelyretouchedtheircolonialcharters

– Otherswouldwritenewconstitutions

II.ConstitutionMakingintheStates(cont.)

• Massachusettscalledforspecialconventiontodraftitsconstitutionandthensubmittedfinaldrafttothepeopleforratification:– Onceadopted,constitutioncouldonlybechangedbyanotherconstitutionalconvention

– Itsconstitutionremainedlongest-livedconstitutioninworld


• Commonconstitutionalfeatures:– Aswrittendocuments,constitutionsrepresentedfundamentallaw,superiortoordinarylegislation

– Mostcontainedbillsofrights—protectprizedlibertiesagainstlegislativeencroachment

– Mostrequiredannualelectionoflegislators– Allcreatedweakexecutiveandjudicialbranches


• Innewgovernments,legislaturesweregrantedsweepingpowers:– Democraticcharacterreflectedbypresenceofmanyfromrecentlyenfranchisedwesterndistricts

– Theirinfluencewasdemonstratedwhensomestatesmovedcapitalsintointerior

III.EconomicCrosscurrents

• Economicchanges:– Statesseizedcontrolofformercrownlands– Landwascheapandeasilyavailable– InAmerica,economicdemocracyprecededpoliticaldemocracy

– Revolutionalsostimulatedmanufacturing

III.EconomicCrosscurrents (cont.)

• Drawbacksofeconomicindependence:–MostBritishcommercereservedforloyalpartsoftheempire

– AmericanshipsnowbarredfromBritishandBritishWestIndiesharbors

– Fisheriesweredisrupted• Americanscouldfreelytradewithforeignnations– Newcommercialoutlets(e.g.,Chinain1784)partiallycompensatedforlossofoldones

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• Warspawneddemoralizingspeculationandprofiteering.

• Stategovernmentsborrowedmorethantheycouldrepay.

• Runawayinflationruinedmany.• AveragecitizenwasworseofffinanciallyattheendofRevolutionthanatstart.


• Wholeeconomicandsocialatmospherewasunhealthy:– Anewlyrichclassofprofiteerswasconspicuous– Once-wealthypeopleweredestitute

• ControversiesleadingtoRevolutionhadbred:– keendistastefortaxes– encourageddisrespectforlawsingeneral

IV.CreatingaConfederation• SecondContinentalCongress:– Littlemorethanaconferenceofambassadors–Wastotallywithoutconstitutionalauthority– Assertedsomecontrolovermilitaryandforeignpolicy

• Inallrespects,thirteenstatesweresovereign:– Coinedmoney– Raisedarmiesandnavies– Erectedtariffbarriers

IV.CreatingaConfederation (cont.)

• ArticlesofConfederation:– AdoptedbyCongressin1777,butnotratifiedbystatesuntil1781

• Chiefpointofcontentionwaswesternlands:– 6stateshadnoholdingsbeyondAlleghenyMtns– 7(esp.NewYork&Virginia)heldhugeacreage– Land-richstatescouldusetrans-Alleghenytractstopayoffdebts

IV.CreatingaConfederation (cont.)

– UnanimousapprovalofArticlesbyallthirteenstateswasrequired:• MarylandheldoutuntilMarch1781togetagreementbyNewYorktosurrenderitswesternlands• Congresspledgedtodisposeofthesevastareasfor“commonbenefit”• Promisedtocarveoutanumberof“republican”states,whichovertimewouldbeadmittedtounion• PledgeredeemedinNorthwestOrdinanceof1787(seeMap9.1).• Disposalofwesternlandshelpedencourageunion

Map 9-1 p164

V.TheArticlesofConfederation:America'sFirstConstitution

• ArticlesofConfederation:– Providedforlooseconfederationor“firmleagueoffriendship”

– thirteenindependentstateslinkedtogethertodealwithcommonproblems,suchasforeignaffairs

– Congresswaschiefagency– Noexecutivebranch– Judicialissuesleftalmostexclusivelytostates

V.TheArticlesofConfederation:America'sFirstConstitution(cont.)

• Congress,thoughdominant,washobbled:– Eachstatehadasinglevote– Allimportantbillsrequiredsupportofninestates– AnyamendmenttoArticlesrequiredunanimousratification

– Congresswasweak—andwaspurposelydesignedtobeweak


• TwomajorweaknessofArticles:– Congresshadnopowertoregulatecommerce– Congresscouldnotenforceitsowntax-collection

• Congresscouldadvise,advocate,andappeal:– Indealingwithstates,itcouldnotcoerceorcontrol

– Norcoulditactdirectlyonindividuals


• NewCongress,withpaperpower,waslesseffectivethanContinentalCongress.

• Yet,Articlesprovedtobealandmark:– AsfirstwrittenconstitutionofRepublic,ArticlesweresignificantsteptowardlaterConstitution

– Outlinedgeneralpowersofnationalgovernment– Keptaliveidealofunionandheldstatestogether–Without,thegreatleapfromoldAssociationof1774tocurrentConstitutionnotpossible

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VI.LandmarksinLandLaws

• Passagesofpublicdomainlegislation:– OldNorthwest=areanorthwestofOhioRiver,eastofMississippiRiver,southofGreatLakes

– LandOrdinanceof1785(seeMap9.2)setuporderlyprocesstoselllandinOldNorthwestanduseproceedstopaynationaldebt:• Aftersurveyed,landdividedintotownships,thenintosections• Sixteenthsectionsoldtofundeducation

Map 9-2 p166

VI.LandmarksinLandLaws(cont.)

• NorthwestOrdinanceof1787:– GovernanceofoldNorthwest--hownationwoulddealwithitscolonies:• Firsttemporarytutelage,thenpermanentequality• First,twoevolutionaryterritorialstagesundersubordinationtofederalgovernment• Onceaterritoryhad60,000inhabitants,itcouldbeadmittedbyCongressasastate• OrdinanceforbadeslaveryinoldNorthwest

VII.TheWorld'sUglyDuckling

• RelationswithBritainremainedtroubled:– EnglandrefusedtosendaministertoAmerica– DeclinedtonegotiateacommercialtreatyortorepealNavigationLaws

– ClosedWestIndiestradetothestates– Tried,withhelpofAllenbrothersofVermont,toannexrebelliousareatoCanada

– MaintainedachainoftradingpostsonU.S.soil– ContinuedfurtradewithIndians

VII.TheWorld'sUglyDuckling:(cont.)

• SpainwasopenlyhostiletonewRepublic:• Controlledall-importantMississippiRiveronwhichpioneersshippedtheirproduce• In1784SpainclosedrivertoAmericancommercethreateningWestwithstrangulation• ClaimedlargeareasnorthofGulfofMexico• SchemedwithIndianstokeepAmericanseastofAppalachians• BecauseSpain&BritaininfluencedIndians,Americaunabletoexercisecontroloverhalfofitsterritory(seeMap9.3).

Map 9-3 p167

VII.TheWorld'sUglyDuckling(cont.)

• France,America'sfriend,cooledoffnowthatBritainhumbled

• NorthAfricanpiratesravagedAmerica'sMediterraneancommence

• Newnationtooweaktofightpiratesandtoopoortopaybribes.

VII.TheHorridSpecterofAnarchy• Economicproblems,mid-1780s:– Systemofraisingtaxmoneywasbreakingdown– Interestonpublicdebtwasescalating– Somestateswerelevyingtheirownduties– Somewereprintingdepreciatedpapermoney

• Shays'sRebellioninwesternMassachusetts:– Impoverishedfarmerslostlandthroughmortgageforeclosuresandtaxdelinquencies

VII.TheHorridSpecterofAnarchy(cont.)

• LedbyCaptainDanielShays,desperatedebtorsdemanded:– Stateissuepapermoney,lightentaxes,andsuspendpropertytakeovers

– Hundredsattemptedtoenforcedemands– Massachusettsauthoritiesrespondedbyraisingsmallarmyandskirmishesoccurred

– After3Shaysiteskilledandonewounded,movementcollapsed


• Shays'sfollowerswerecrushed,butmemoryremained:– Massachusettspasseddebtor-relieflaws– Shays'soutburstcausedfearamongpropertiedclass

– Civicvirtueinsufficienttoreininself-interest– Neededstrongercentralgovernmenttoblock“mobocracy”

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• HowcriticalwereconditionsunderArticles?– Conservatives,protectingtheirwealth,exaggeratedseriousnessofnation'splight

– TheysoughttoamendArticlestocreatemoremuscularcentralgovernment

– BothfriendsandcriticsoftheConfederationagreeditneededstrengthening,butdisagreedoverhowmuchitspowersshouldbeincreased

– Economyactuallyimproved,late1780s

IX.AConventionof“Demigods”• Annapolisconventionof1786:– Calledtodealwithcommercialdisputes– Ninestatesappointeddelegates,only5attended– AlexanderHamiltongotconventiontocallformeetinginPhiladelphiain1787tobolsterentirefabricofArticlesofConfederation

– EventuallyCongressagreedtoaconvention“forthesoleandexpresspurposeofrevising”Articles

– Eachstatesentrepresentatives,exceptRhodeIsland

IX.AConventionof“Demigods” (cont.)

• 55emissariesfrom12statesconvenedinPhiladelphiaonMay25,1787• Sessionswereheldinsecrecy,witharmedsentinelsatdoors• Caliberofparticipantswasextraordinarilyhigh—“demigods,”Jeffersoncalledthem• Mostwerelawyerswithexperienceatstateconstitution-making• GeorgeWashingtonwaselectedchairman• BenjaminFranklinservedaselderstatesman

IX.AConventionof“Demigods” (cont.)

• JamesMadison'scontributionsweresonotablehewasdubbed“theFatheroftheConstitution”• AlexanderHamiltonadvocatedasuper-powerfulcentralgovernment• MostRevolutionaryleadersof1776wereabsent• Jefferson,J.Adams,andThomasPaineinEurope• SamuelAdams&JohnHancockwerenotelected• PatrickHenrywaselectedfromVirginia,butdeclined,declaringhe“smelledarat.”

– Timehadcometofashionasolidpoliticalsystem

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X.PatriotsinPhiladelphia

• The55delegates:• Aconservative,well-to-dobodyoflawyers,merchants,shippers,landspeculators,moneylenders• Notasinglepersonfromthedebtorgroups• Young(averageage42)butexperiencedstatesmen• Nationalists,moreinterestedinpreservingyoungRepublicthenstirringpopulardemocracy• HopedtocrystallizeevaporatingpoolsofRevolutionaryidealismintostablepoliticalstructurethatwouldendure

X.PatriotsinPhiladelphia(cont.)

Wantedafirm,dignified,&respectedgovernment:•Believedinrepublicanism,butsoughttoprotectAmericanexperimentfromweaknessabroadandexcessesathome•Wantedcentralgovernmenttocontroltariffsinordertosecurecommercialtreatiesfromforeignnations•Determinedtopreserveunion,forestallanarchy,andensuresecurityoflife&propertyagainstuprisingsby“mobocracy”•Curbunrestraineddemocracyrampantinseveralstates•Motivatedbyfear

XI.HammeringOutaBundleofCompromises

• SomedelegatesdecidedtocompletelyscrapArticlesofConfederation– DespiteexplicitinstructionsfromCongresstorevise

–Weredeterminedtooverthrowexistinggovernmentbypeacefulmeans(seeTable9.1)

Table 9-1 p171

XI.HammeringOutaBundleofCompromises(cont.)

• Proposals:• VirginiaPlan—“large-stateplan”:representationinbothhousesofbicameralCongresswouldbebasedonpopulation—anarrangementthatadvantagedlargerstates• NewJerseyPlan—“small-stateplan”:providedforequalrepresentationinunicameralCongress,regardlessofsizeandpopulation

– BitterdebateBecausesmallstatesfearedVirginiaschemewouldallowdominationbylargestates


• TheGreatCompromise:• LargerstatesgainedrepresentationbypopulationinHouseofRepresentatives(Art.I,Sec.II,para.3seetheAppendix)• SmallerstateswereappeasedbyequalrepresentationinSenate(Art.I,Sec.III,para.1)• AgreedthatalltaxbillsorrevenuemeasuresmustoriginateinHouse,wherepopulationcountedmoreheavily(Art.I,Sec.VII,para.1).• Compromisebrokedeadlock


• ThefinalConstitutionwas:• ShortBecausegrewfromAnglo-Americancommonlawlegaltradition• Provideflexibleguidetobroadrulesofproceduresratherthandetailedlaws• Theoriginal(unamended)Constitutioncontainedjust7articlesandtookabout10pagestoprint


• ThePresident:• Broadauthoritytomakeappointmentstodomesticoffices,includingjudgeships• Powertovetolegislation• Notabsolutepowertowagewar• Congressretainedcrucialrighttodeclarewar

• Constitutionabundleofcompromises:– ElectpresidentindirectlybyElectoralCollegeratherthanbydirectmeans

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XI.HammeringOutaBundleCompromises(cont.)

– Astate'sshareofelectorsbasedontotalofitssenatorsandrepresentativesinCongress(seeArt.II,Sec.I,para.2)

– SlaveryandConstitution(seeTable9.2):• Three-fifthscompromise:slaveasthree-fifthsofapersonforrepresentation(seeArt.I,Sec.II,para.3)• Slavetradecouldcontinueuntilendof1807(seeArt.I,Sec.IX,para1).

Table 9-2 p173

XII.SafeguardsforConservatism

• Agreementamongdelegateswaslarge:– Economically,theydemandedsoundmoneyandprotectionofprivateproperty

– Politically,theyfavoredastronggovernmentwiththreebranches,andwithchecks&balances

– Rejectedmanhood-suffragedemocracy

XII.SafeguardsforConservatism(cont.)

– Erectedsafeguardsagainstexcessesof“mob”:• Federaljudgeswereappointedforlife• PresidenttobeelectedindirectlybyElectoralCollege• Senatorswerechosenindirectlybystatelegislatures(seeArt.I,Sec.III,para.1)• InHouseofRepresentatives,qualified(propertied)citizenspermittedtochoosetheirofficialsbydirectvote(seeArt.1,Sec.II,para.1).

XII.SafeguardsforConservatism(cont.)

• Democraticelementsinnewcharter:– Stoodontwogreatprinciplesofrepublicanism• Onlylegitimategovernmentwasonebasedonconsentofthegoverned• Powersofgovernmentshouldbelimited—inthiscasebyawrittenconstitution• Virtueofthepeople,notauthorityofthestate,wasultimateguarantorofliberty,justice,andorder• After17weeks—May25toSeptember17,1787—only42oforiginal55remainedtosignConstitution• 3of42refusedtosign

XIII.TheClashofFederalistsandAntifederalists

• FramersforesawthatnationwideacceptanceofConstitutionwouldbedifficult:– Unanimousratificationbyallthirteenstatesrequiredbystill-standingArticlesofConfederation

– BecauseRhodeIslandcertaintoveto,delegatesstipulatedthatwhen9stateshadapprovedthroughspecificallyelectedconventions,Constitutionwouldbesupremelawinthosestates(seeArt.VII).

XIII.TheClashofFederalistsandAntifederalists(cont.)

• Americanpeoplewerehandedanewdocument(seeTable9.3):– Antifederalists—opposedastrongerfederalgovernment

– Federalists—supportedastrongfederalgovernment

XIII.TheClashofFederalistsandAntifederalists(cont.)

– Antifederalists(SamuelAdams,PatrickHenry,RichardHenryLee)werestates'rightsdevotees(seeMap9.4),backcountrydwellers,smallfarmers,paper-moneyitesanddebtors

– Federalists(GeorgeWashington,BenjaminFranklin)werethosewholivedonseaboard,wealthy,educated,betterorganized

– Antifederalistsargueddocumentdraftedbyelitewouldweakenstates&threatenindividualliberties

Table 9-3 p174

XIV.TheGreatDebateintheStates

• Specialelectionsheldformembersofratifyingconventions(seeTable9.4)– Candidates—federalistorantifederalist—wereelectedbasedonwhethertheywerefororwereagainstConstitution• FoursmallstatesquicklyacceptedConstitution• Pennsylvaniawasfirstlargestatetoratify• Massachusettspresentedchallenges,includingdemandforbillofrights

Map 9-4 p175

Table 9-4 p175

XIV.TheGreatDebateintheStates(cont.)

– Onceassuredofsuchaprotection,Massachusettsratifiedbymarginof187to168

– Threemorestatesthensigned– NewHampshirewasthelast– AllbutVirginia,NewYork,NorthCarolina,andRhodeIslandhadtakenshelterunder“newfederalroof”

– DocumentofficiallysignedonJune21,1788

XV.TheFourLaggardStates

• Virginia:• Providedfierceantifederalistopposition• Theyclaimeddocumentwasdeathwarrantofliberty• FederalistsG.Washington,J.Madison,andJohnMarshalllentinfluentialsupport• Afterintensivedebate,stateconventionratifiedit89to79

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XV.TheFourLaggardStates (cont.)

• NewYork:• AlexanderHamiltonjoinedJohnJayandJamesMadisoninaseriesoffederalistnewspaperarticles• TheFederalistPapersweremostpenetratingcommentaryeverwrittenonConstitution• MostfamousoneisMadison'sFederalistNo.10• Refutedthatitwasimpossibletoextendarepublicanformofgovernmentoveralargeterritory• NewYorkfinallyyielded,ratifyingbycountof30to27


– NorthCarolina,afterahostileconvention,adjournedwithouttakingavote

– RhodeIslanddidn'tsummonaconvention,rejectedConstitutionbypopularreferendum

– Twomostruggedlyindividualistcentersremainedtruetoform

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• Noliveswerelost,butriotsbrokeoutinNewYorkandPennsylvania.

• Lotsofbehind-the-scenespressureondelegateswhohadpromisedtovoteagainstConstitution.

• Lastfourstatesratified,notbecausetheywantedto,butbecausetheyhadto:– Couldnotsafelyexistoutsidenewnation

XVI.AConservativeTriumph

• Aminoritytriumphed—twice:– AmilitantminorityofradicalsengineeredmilitaryRevolutionthatcastoffBritishconstitution

– AmilitantminorityofconservativesengineeredpeacefulrevolutionthatoverthrewinadequateArticlesofConfederation

– Amajorityhadnotspoken:• Only¼ofadultwhitemalesvotedfordelegatestoratifyingconventions

XVI.AConservativeTriumph(cont.)

• Conservatismwasvictorious,butprinciplesofrepublicangovernmentweremaintainedthrougharedefinitionofpopularsovereignty:– Antifederalistsclaimedonlylegislaturescouldrepresentthepeople

– Federalistsclaimedeachbranchofnewgovernmentcouldrepresentthepeople

–Withself-limitingsystemofchecksandbalancesamong3branches,Constitutionreconciledconflictingprinciplesoflibertyandorder

XVII.ThePursuitofEquality

• Equalitywaswatchwordeverywhere:–Moststatesreducedproperty-holdingrequirementsforvoting

– Ordinarymenandwomendemandedtobeaddressedas“Mr.”and“Mrs.”

– Employerscalled“boss,”not“master”– PretentiousContinentalArmyofficialswhoformedSocietyoftheCincinnatifacedridicule

XVII.PursuitofEquality(cont.)

• Protractedfighttoseparatechurchandstateresultedinnotablegains:– AnglicanChurchdisestablished;reformedasProtestantEpiscopalChurch

– StruggletoseparatereligionandgovernmentprovedfierceinVirginia

– In1786ThomasJeffersonandco-reformerswonwithpassageofVirginiaStatuteforReligiousFreedom(seeTable5.1).


• Egalitariansentimentschallengedslavery:– PhiladelphiaQuakersin1775foundedworld'sfirstantislaverysociety

– SeveralNorthernstatescalledforeitherabolishingslaveryoutrightorforgradualemancipation

– EveninVirginia,afewidealisticmastersfreedtheirslaves


Revolutionofsentimentswasincomplete–Domesticslavetradegrewdramatically–MostofNorthendslaveryonlygradually–NostatesouthofPennsylvaniaabolishedslavery–InbothNorthandSouth,lawdiscriminatedagainstfreedblacksandslavesalike


• Whynotmorerapidchanges:– FledglingidealismofFoundingFatherswassacrificedtopoliticalexpediency

– Afightoverslaverywouldfracturefragileunion• “Greatastheevil(ofslavery)is,adismembermentoftheunionwouldbeworse”JamesMadison(1787)

– Nearlyacenturylater,slaverydidwreckUnion—temporarily

XVII.ThePursuitofEquality(cont.)

• Alsoincompletewasextensionofequalitytowomen:– NewJersey'snewconstitution(1776)forawhileallowedwomentovote

– Ingeneralcivilstatusofwomennotchanged


• Centraltorepublicanideologywas:– Civicvirtue—democracydependedonunselfishcommitmentofeachcitizentopublicgood

–Whocouldbettercultivatevirtuethanmotherstowhomsocietyentrustedmoraleducationofyoung

– Ideaof“republicanmotherhood”elevatedwomentoprestigiousroleasspecialkeepersofnation'sconscience

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– EducationalopportunitiesforwomenexpandedsowivesandmotherscouldbettercultivatevirtuesdemandedbyRepublic

– Republicanwomennowboreresponsibilityforsurvivalofnation

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Documents

Ch 9 PowerPointmrglider.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/9/3/109362371/ch_9_powerpoint.pdf · – A state's share of electors based on total of its senators and representatives in Congress