American Revolution

American Revolution Chapter 5 – The New Nation Get in the bowl!

We won… we’re screwed • The United States was effectively bankrupt by the mid-1780s due to the costs of the Revolutionary War. • The shortage of specie (remember the Currency Act of 1765?) meant it did not take long to drain the American coffers of gold and silver. This made their banknotes almost worthless. • The decision of the Continental Congress to print too much paper money (about $242 million) led to hyper inflation (a big drop in value) as did the existence of counterfeit money. And the Barmy Army sang “You’re paintings are copied and your money ain’t worth shit, Paul Revere you’re a massive git!”

Robert Morris ‘Financier of the revolution’ • Congress attempted to halt the economic collapse by appointing Pennsylvanian merchant Robert Morris as ‘superintendent of finances’. • Morris made three major changes: he ceased printing Continental currency; he organised loans from French and Dutch creditors and issued a new set of banknotes backed by the reserves and he persuaded congress to establish the Bank of North America. • These measures eased hyperinflation for a while. • However, the United States of America was still in deep trouble. Robert ‘The Boss’ Morris

Unfulfilled promises • After some brief relief provided by Morris’ effective policies, America’s currency situation became dire by 1783 (the end of the Revolutionary War). • Troops leaving the Continental Army were promised payment for their duty but this was often unfulfilled. Privates and non-commissioned officers had been promised $80 payment and 100 acres of land at the start of the war and this had increased up to $750 in Virginia as soldiers needed increased incentive to stay in the war. • However, neither Congress nor the states were able to pay. They offered banknotes but these were worthless (one soldier used his to plaster an injured leg). Random soldier

Phooey Pennsylvanians • Unpaid salaries were at the heart of many mutinies during and after the war. • In 1782 thousands of soldiers were camped in Pennsylvania expecting payment and discharge. They were offered a ‘furlough’ (unpaid leave) and this made them angry. • Some suggested that the public servants should give up their salary (some things never change). You can take your banknotes and shove them up your furlough…

Petition from Newburgh Officers • The Congress bankruptcy not only affected soldiers but officers too. • When they were short of experience in 1777 the Continental Army had offered lifetime pensions at half-pay but by 1781 they often couldn’t pay up. • In late 1782 a section of the army was camped on a field near Newburgh, New York. With supplies failing to arrive soldiers were starving and resorted to stealing geese from a local farmer (and being punished for this). • The officers held a meeting in March 1783 to express their grievances. George Washington showed his strong leadership again by responding to the petitioners, calming some down but not all. Congress initially claimed they couldn’t read the ‘messy handwriting’. This claim was rejected.

The Newburgh Petition • The Newburgh petition found support in Congress, particularly the nationalists (who would become known as Federalists, more on that later) who wanted a stronger central government who could tax and regulate trade. • In June 1783 almost 500 men marched on Philadelphia, gathering regularly at Independence Hall to demand a hearing and harass the delegates. • Members of Congress drafted a secret request to Pennsylvanian state leaders, asking them to call out the local militia to disperse the soldiers (it was refused). So they moved their meetings to Princeton, New Jersey. • This activity led to genuine concerns of a potentialcounter-revolutionary ‘coup’ which was labelled the Newburgh Conspiracy. The old American saying ‘when in doubt, bully’ continued at Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Society of the Cincinnati • In May 1783 a group of influential war veterans formed a fraternity of military officers. • To be a member you needed to have served at least three years in the Revolutionary War at lieutenant rank or higher. • Washington was the president-general and all his rich/important mates (Lafayette, von Steuben, Kosciuszko, Hamilton, Green, Jones etc.) were members. • Critics of the group claimed that it resembled a European knightly order. These included John Adams and Thomas Jefferson who were excluded because of their lack of military service. Another American tradition – elitist greed and nepotism!

1783 Treaty of Paris • The 1783 Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War, two years after the major battles had ended. • Negotiations were left to American diplomats in France, particularly Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay. • By late 1782 these men had developed a set of terms that were extremely favourable to the United States. • This included: - British recognition of the United States of America; - A surrender of British territory between the Appalachian Mountains and Ohio River; - Drawing of borders between the US and British-occupied Canada to the north; - Fishing rights on the coast of Newfoundland, - honouring of debts from before the revolution; - American states ‘encouraged’ to compensate Loyalists for land and property seized in the revolution; - Both nations to enjoy access to the Mississippi River. All done? Lets drink wine and laugh at the French

1783 Treaty of Paris • These generous terms sparked an angry response in London. The British slave trader Richard Oswald (negotiator for Britain) was accused of conceding too much and gaining too little. • The treaty was voted down three times in February 1783, resulting in a ‘no confidence’ vote and leaving Britain without a Prime Minister for a month. • However, in the end, they were sick of the war so signed the treaty, which was considered a significant victory for America and its diplomats. The French came out with stuff all from the treaty

Washington is the bestest • On the evening of 4 December 1783 George Washington attended his final mess dinner in New York. Only four of his fellow generals attended (most had returned to their native states). • Firstly, Washington asked for money for expenses (which he received in paper bonds) and then resigned his position. • By surrendering his military command he opened up the possibility for a democratically elected leader (him) rather than taking on a military ruler position as was the usual trend at that time (see Napoleon, France) or even to become an American monarch. • Washington returned home to Mount Vernon for Christmas. At a ceremonial dinner in 1783 George Washington farted, creating enough natural gas for the USA to justify avoiding the Climate Change issue for centuries to come.

I’m a loyalist… I’m screwed • American’s who were loyal to the British crown during the war were faced with a dire predicament. • They were often persecuted (even assaulted) an at risk of losing their land and possessions (even though the Treaty said they shouldn’t). • Then again perhaps this was fair enough because the Crown had a policy of confiscating the property of traitors too. • So, Loyalist land was forfeited to the state and used to fund continental loans. Laws were passed banishing the loyalists and they were also declared guilt of crimes (see New York, 1779). In Virginia they were labelled ‘enemy aliens’. In Massachusetts they passed the Banishment Act of 1778. Cows loyal to the throne were bullied mercilessly

On yer bike! • The end of war and Treaty of Paris briefly raised hope of improvement for Loyalists. • The negotiation of fair compensation showed concern for the fate of Loyalists but it was only ‘recommended’ that they be paid for lost property (so they weren’t). • An exodus of Loyalists ensued with between 80,000 and 100,000 Loyalists leaving the US. Some went to England or the West Indies and many went to Canada (usually with only some of their possessions). They went here

I’m a native… I’m screwed • Most Native American’s supported the British during the Revolutionary War and were left in a vulnerable position following the American victory (many tribal leaders had to be told who won). • The Treaty of Paris contained no statements about Britain’s ‘Indian’ allies, leaving them with a choice to submit to the American’s or fight. • The American’s saw the natives as traitors (somewhat unfair) and an obstacle to western expansion. • This led to hostility towards ‘Indians’ in the frontier areas. • Eventually the Confederation Congress developed a more sensible policy by negotiating with the tribes (eventually allocating ‘reserves’ for them to live on). • Despite this, conflict (sometimes supported by the British) continued with the outbreak of the Northwest Indian War in 1786. • American’s continued to push westwards, with the lure of cheap land outweighing the dangers of conflict. In October 1786 ‘Logan’s Raid’ destroyed Shawnee villages in Ohio, just part of the ‘scorched earth’ approach of frontier militias. This marker recognises yetanother example of the American’s being greedy and savage .

I’m a slave… I’m screwed (mostly) • The experiences of African-American’s after the treaty often depended on where they lived, with people in the northern states being less likely to keep slaves. • In Pennsylvania, slavery had declined prior to 1775 and continued to do so. Pacifist groups like the Quakers campaigned against slavery. Benjamin Franklin became their leader after returning from Europe in 1785 (even though he had owned slaves in the past).This campaigning led to the ‘Gradual Abolition of Slavery’ Act of 1780. • Other northern states adopted a similar approach, except for Rhode Island who actually increased its slave-trade (selling many to the southern states). • Emancipation was blocked in New York,due to the fear of Negro’s being free moresothan a desire to keep slaves (why do you think this would have been an issue?). It was a start

I’m a slave… I’m screwed (mostly) • However, most of the slaves (about 80%) lived in the southern states who were not as keen on the emancipation movement. • Virginia had banned the slave trade and allowed the voluntary freeing of slaves, with leaders like Jefferson (a slave owner) condemning the trade. However, with more than a third of its population made up of slaves, emancipation was a risk (economically and socially) so the proposal to end slavery was unsuccessful. • After the war, slaves who had been owned by Loyalists were sold to new owners, while others fled. The fear of freed slaves ‘fighting back’ was a real concern for their masters

Ignoring the treaty • The Treaty of Paris was a success for the new USA, granting them sovereignty, land and rights as a new nation. • However, the terms of the treaty were not universally followed. • One problem was that most American states ignored the fifth and sixth articles regarding Loyalists and their property, while merchants and businessmen also ignored the fourth article regarding pre-revolution debts to British merchants. • Britain, believe that the ‘united’ states would soon disintegrate into smaller confederacies continued to be present in the western territories with George III ordering troops to remain in the north-west and British troops encouraging local tribes to attack American settlers. As with the Versailles Treaty of WW1 ‘winning’ a treaty isn’t always as good as it sounds.

Britain fights back • A major economic problem for the new USA was that the British refused to negotiate a new commercial (trade) treaty. • In July 1783 colonial governors in the British West Indies received orders to cease trading with American ships, cutting off their access to profits and critical goods (including molasses). They also stopped buying American products. • This led to an American trade deficit of 2.7 million pounds by 1784. Fort Mackinac (yackity yack)

Finding trading partners • Now free from British controls (mercantilism), American merchants sought out new trading partners. • They turned to the French, who were in a desperate economic situation and not keen to risk losses by allowing newcomers into their markets. • It was also difficult to trade with Spain, who had gained control of New Orleans in the south-west. The Spanish had signed a separate treaty to have access to the Mississippi but in 1784 they decided to block the river mouth to non-Spanish ships and also encouraged native tribes to resist frontier settlements in South Carolina and Georgia. Were they trying to take advantage of a weak USA? European empires deliberately made trading difficult, hoping the USA would collapse.

Pirates! • American trading ships also ran into trouble when faced with Barbary pirates near Africa. • Previously they would have been left alone because of their connections with Britain and France. • The American’s tried to bribe the pirates but, as Thomas Jefferson warned, this only led to more attacks! Pirates also made trading difficult

A lack of unity? • Without a strong economic link (the Articles of Confederation formed only a ‘league of friendship’) the states continued to negotiate their own trade deals separate of congress. • Delegates of Congress were rightly concerned that having separate deals would generate tension and rivalry. In April 1784 Virginia and Maryland proposed an alteration to the Articles of Confederation suggesting that congress should have sole authority for regulating trade. • However, no other state would ratify the proposal suggesting that the United States were not united at all. The United States were now involved in a trade war with the British, French and Spanish empires and Congress had little control over the economy. Source: The Federalist debate for dummies

Calling in the debts and taxes • By 1785 the economic slump continued in many parts of the United States. The revolution had promised peace, prosperity and stability for all Americans but this wasn’t the case. • Congress passed on responsibility for paying ex-soldiers to the states, who rarely delivered. The states, for their part, were very reluctant to send money to congress. • With many people in debt, state governments encouraged their creditors to pursue these debts. In Worcester County, Massachusetts there were 4789 legal actions against debtors between 1784 and 1786, affecting almost one-third of adult males. This was four times as many as the 1770 to 1772 figure. • On top of this the states imposed high taxes to cover their costs (sounds familiar?), so people were again upset and struggling to pay their bills. This graph shows how the US economy improved post-constitution. Coincidence or correlation?

Shays Rebellion • New Massachusetts Governor James Bowdoin introduced a fifteen-year program of increased taxes and also restricted voting to property owner meaning that residents were taxed more and represented less than they had been before the revolution. • In August 1786 Daniel Shays property was allegedly seized by a debtors court. Shays, an ex-captain of the Continental Army, joined others in protesting the state’s debt recovery regime. • In September 1786 he led several hundred men in a march on the Springfield court, forcing it to close. This continued throughout Massachusetts. America v America developed into Patriot v Patriot

Shays Rebellion • In January 1787 Shay’s led another assault, backed by 1200 men, on the federal arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts. • General Benjamin Lincoln (also a Revolutionary War veteran) rebuffed his petition and gave an order to attack. • The rebels fled to the north-east, were defeated and Shays was branded a traitor and sentenced to death (he was later granted a governor’s pardon). • The rebels underwent trials involving humiliation and public retraction. ‘Come at me brah’ - Lincoln, 1787

The Articles of Confederation • It has been argued that the Articles of Confederation, aimed at maintaining the independence of the thirteen states, contributed to America’s political instability. • Jensen suggests that this might be unfair because it doesn’t take into account all the other factors (war, depression etc.) that would have made the success of any constitution difficult. • Most historians are critical because the Articles failed to build a sense of national unity or central control. This is evident in the way that the states conducted themselves with the Congress being described as a ‘head without a body’. Source: Why the Articles were crap for dummies

The Articles of Confederation • Morris argues that the lack of support offered by the self-interested states to the central government allowed the British to bully the United States with their trade policies. • Beard argues that the ‘idealism’ of the revolution was replaced with a focus on commercial interests. With philosophers like Jefferson, Paine and Sam Adams being replaced by men of property, trade and finance.Many of these men were annoyed by taxes but had no desire to separate from the British before the revolutionary war. Source: Why the Articles were crap for dummies

The Articles of Confederation • Jensen reminds us that the Articles had encountered opposition from the start, with federalists arguing for stronger national controls and the states being reluctant to do so. • The Progressive interpretation is that it was not government (or the Articles) that was the problem but the overall circumstances of the time. • Nevertheless, the apparent failure of the ‘Articles of Confederation’ led to the need for a new constitution. Source: Why the Articles were crap for dummies who needpictures to read stuff

Significance of Shay’s Rebellion • The Shay’s incident inspired further uprisings in Massachusetts and nearby states. • With public opinion on the side of the rebels, politicians were under pressure to help debt-stricken farmers by lowering taxes and easing the laws related to debt repayment. • Some historians view Shay’s Rebellion as evidence of the incompetence of state and national governments and others as revolutionary activity as part of a wider class struggle. Szatmary suggests that the rebellions contributed to the growth of federalism saying that ‘the uprising… has a historic significance much deeper than that of a regional chronicle… the crisis atmosphere engendered by [rural] discontent strengthened the resolve of the nationalists and shocked some reluctant localists into accepting a stronger national government’. Shay’s Rebellion inspired stone masons to make better gravestones because this one is rubbish

American Revolution