From Colonies to a Nation, 1783-1789

1. From Colonies to a Nation, 1783-1789

2. I. The Radicalism of the American Revolution

3. A. Revolutionary Politics Colonists oppose unfair colonial taxes and colonial elites The Regulators: Reform of colonial government Constitutional Experiments Virginia’s Declaration of Rights Pennsylvania’s unicameralism Timothy Matlack To symbolize Matlack’s role in drafting the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, the painterincluded several items in the background, including law books, the great seal ofPennsylvania, the text of the Pennsylvania Constitution, and a powder horn and musket. George Mason

4. A. Revolutionary Politics (Cont.) The Articles of Confederation Drafted 1777 as first constitution of the United States Created a pact of independent states, not a national government

5. B. African-Americans and the American Revolution How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of Negro slaves? -Dr. Samuel Johnson, 1775 Slaves used the broad themes of revolution to escape slavery or agitate for abolition New England moves toward gradual emancipation

6. C. Native-Americans and the Revolution Most natives chose the British Declaration of Independence showed hostility toward Native-Americans Murder of Jane McCrea He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and had endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions Death ofJane McCrea John Vanderlyn’s painted this scene several decades afterthe event occurred. He tookseveral liberties withhistory. McCrea’sfiancé, the militaryfigure rushing torescue her (circledin red), wears the blue uniform of a Continental soldier.In reality McCreawas a Loyalist andher fiancé a Britishregular.

7. D. Women and the Revolutionary Movement Abigail Adams Wife of John Adams and advocate of greater focus on women’s issues during the Revolutionary era Mercy Otis Warren: Contributed to the Patriot cause theater and the arts

8. II. Creating a New Republic

9. A. Government under the Articles of Confederation(economics) ContinentalPaper Currency The value ofContinental papercurrency droppedprecipitously asCongress printedmore money, andfaith in the valueof the currencydwindled. Massive inflation, trade deficits, and debt produced the nation’s first depression.

10. A. Government under the Articles of Confederation(diplomacy) Border Disputes in OldNorthwest and Southwest The British refused to abandon their forts inthe Old Northwest until Congress complied withall the provisions of the Treaty of Paris. In the OldSouthwest, Spain frustrated America’s efforts to securethe rights to navigate the Mississippi River. Diplomatic Problems British troops in the west Indian relations Piracy on the high seas

11. A. Government under the Articles of Confederation(Settling the old Northwest) Northwest Ordinance of 1787: The final plan for new territories Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. The Northwest Territory

12. A. Government under the Articles of Confederation(Shay’s Rebellion) Court Closings and Major Battles in Shays’s Rebellion Shays and his supporters closed courts in several major townsin central and western Massachusetts. Shaysites and forcesloyal to the state of Massachusetts fought a decisive battle atthe Springfield state armory, where the Shaysites were routed.

13. B. Constitutional Reform Comparison of the Articles of Confederation, Virginia, and New Jersey Plans Although the Virginia and New Jersey plans differed on the issue of representation, each would have given thenew government the vital power of taxation. We have probably had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation. --George Washington, 1786

14. Comparison of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution As this chart shows, the new federal government created by the Constitution was far morepowerful than the old government under the Articles of Confederation.

16. C. Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. --James Madison, The Federalist 1788 Anti-Federalist versusFederalist Ideas Anti-Federalistsand Federalistseach believedin republicangovernment, butthey disagreed overhow to structuresuch a government.

17. Ratification Map GeographicalDistribution of theVote on Ratification Support for theConstitution wasstrongest alongcoastal regions andfrontiers exposed tothreats from externalenemies and amongsmall states such asDelaware, Maryland, and New Jersey.Anti-Federalismwas strongest in thebackcountry regionsof New England, themid-Atlantic, and theSouth.