In the Revolutionary era, Americans translated republican ideas into

practical governments on the local and national levels, but they were divided

over the relative importance of individual liberty and social order

The Republican Experiment

Defining Republican CultureAmericans were

divided over the relative importance of individual liberty and social order, the right of private property and the ideal of equality. A series of controversies resulted, shaping the governments created during and after the war for independence.

Living in the Shadow of RevolutionAmerican Revolution changed American

society in unexpected waysSocial and Political Reform

Changes in the laws of inheritanceMore liberal voting qualificationsBetter representation for frontier settlersSeparation of church and state

African Americans in the New RepublicDuring revolution they demanded the natural right to be

freeNorthern states responded by gradually abolishing

slaveryAbolition became a subject of serious debate in the south

Living in the Shadow of the Revolution Cont.

The Challenge of Women’s RightsWomen demanded the

natural right of equalityThey contributed to the

creation of a new society by raising children in households where the republican values of freedom and equality were practiced

Women became more assertive in divorcing and in opening their own businesses

But they were still denied their political and legal rights

Living in the Shadow of Revolution Cont. 2

Postponing Full LibertyRevolution did not

entirely abolish slavery or give equal rights to women

But it did introduce an ideology of freedom and equality that inspired future generations

The States: Experiments in Republicanism

Blueprints for State GovernmentPeople wanted written constitutions that would clearly define

the rights of the people and the limits of government powerThese constitutions were experiments that provided valuable

lessons that were used in constructing the central government

Natural Rights and the State ConstitutionsConstitutions guaranteed freedom of religion, speech, and

pressGovernors generally weakenedElected assemblies given the most power

Power to the PeopleConstitution had to be written by a convention specially

elected for that purposeIt had to ratified by a referendum of the peopleSome Americans thought the early state constitutions were

flawed and began to argue for a stronger central government

Articles of ConfederationJohn Dickinson presented a plan for a strong

national government in 1776, but it was rejected

He wanted to give all the land beyond the Appalachians to Congress and have each state get equal representation in Congress-large states rejected this proposal

After years of debate, the Continental congress drafted the Articles of ConfederationGave the central government virtually no power to

force the states to do anythingStates regarded the Articles with suspicion

Articles of Confederation Cont.Main delay in the

ratification of the Articles was the problem of ownership of the western lands

Maryland delayed ratification of the Articles until 1781, when Virginia agreed to renounce claims to the West

Other states followed Virginia’s example, and Congress wound up owning all the land west of the Appalachians

Northwest Ordinance: The Confederation’s Major Achievement

Jefferson’s planLand Ordinance of 1785The Ordinance created a new government for the

area north of the Ohio RiverThe Ordinance created a number of territories, each

headed by a Congress appointed governorPopulation in the territory increased. When

population reached 5,000, voters could elect an assembly. When it reached 60,000 they could write a constitution and apply for statehood.

The Ordinance also contained a bill of rights, and outlawed slavery

Strengthening Federal AuthorityThe Nationalist Critique

New Government had economic problems to deal withEmpty treasury, runaway

inflation, massive debtsCongress had no power to

tax so they could not fix the problems

Nationalists-Alexander Hamilton and James MadisonTried to give Congress

authority to collect “impost” on imported goods

Proposals raised immediate objections and failed to be put into action

Congress sank further in public esteemFailed to pay soldiers’

wagesNewburgh Conspiracy

Group of extreme nationalists plotted to use the army to establish a strong regime

Squelched by George Washington

Nationalists considered the Articles to have failed

Strengthening The Federal Authority, Cont. Diplomatic Humiliation

Congress was so weak that other nations insulted America without fearEngland kept troops on American soil after the peace

treatySpain closed New Orleans to American commerce

Jay-Gardoqui TreatyCongress sent John Jay to Madrid to solve the problemInstead Jay signed a treaty that ignored the problem

in Mississippi in exchange for commercial advantages benefiting the Northeast

People of West and South denounced treaty and forced Congress to reject it

“Have We Fought For This?”The Genius of James

MadisonNeeded a stronger

governmentMadison recast American

political ideas away from the dogma that only small republics could be free and democratic

This unprepossessing Virginian was the most brilliant American political thinker of his generation

Constitutional ReformShay’s Rebellion

Nationalists feared it was America’s slide into anarchy

Crisis atmosphere persuaded many Americans to support a strong, central government

Creating the ConstitutionFramers

Organizations and Procedure-working in Secrecy-A momentous Decision

“Resolved, …that a national Government ought to be established consisting of a supreme Legislative, Executive and Judiciary”

Virginia PlanProposed by James Madison of VirginiaConsisted of 15 ResolutionsDescribed the topics covered in the

resulting constitutionDrawback:

Representation determined by population. Government power given to the larger states. Smaller states (Delaware, Maryland,

New Jersey, and New York) found it too radical. On June 15 William Patterson of New Jersey presented the position of the

small states.

The New Jersey PlanOutlined the structure of the new federal

government

Call for two houses of Congress

Equal representation proportional to their population

CompromisesThe Connecticut Compromise

Two Houses-smaller Senate represented equally (2 per state) / House represented upon population.

The Three-Fifths CompromiseAll “free persons” should be counted and so, too,

should “three-fifths of all other persons”The Commerce and Slave Trade

CompromiseCongress was forbidden the power to tax the export

of good from any state. Also, it was forbidden to act on the slave trade for at least 20 years.

Whose Constitution? Struggle for RatificationFederalists and Antifederalists

Antifederalists-those who opposed the ConstitutionDistrusted any government removed from direct control of

the peopleSuspected the new constitution had been written o benefit

of the rich and powerfulFederalists

Supported by the news mediaWell organizedDelaware was the first to ratify the ConstitutionOnly states to not ratify the Constitution were North

Carolina and Rhode IslandAdding the Bill of Rights

Nationalists had to promise the Antifederalists that they would add a Bill of Rights