Lesson 7.4b: Issues After the War

1. Lesson 7.4b: Issues After the War Today we will examine several issues facing the United States after independence was won.

2. Vocabulary • examine – look closely at • issue – a point in question or a matter that is in dispute • republicanism – belief that government should be based on the consent of the people, who exercise their power by voting for political representatives

3. Check for Understanding • What are going to do today? • What happens at a physical examination? • Why is dress code an issue for some students?

4. What We Already Know The colonies wanted independence from Britain so they could have a government that was more just.

5. What We Already Know The self–evident truths and unalienable rights expressed by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence became the goals of the American Revolution.

6. What We Already Know After defeating the mighty British military and negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783, American independence became a reality.

7. Republicanism • The American Revolution was not just a war, but a change in ideas about government. • Before the war, Americans had demanded their rights as English citizens. • But after declaring their independence, they replaced that goal with the idea of republicanism.

8. Republicanism • Republicanism is the idea that instead of a king, the people would rule. • The government would obtain its authority from the citizens, who exercise their power by voting for political representatives.

9. Republicanism For this system to work, individuals would have to place the good of the country above their own interests.

10. Republicanism • At first, only men who owned land were allowed to vote or hold public office. • Women could not vote at all.

11. Republicanism • However, women could help the nation by teaching their children the virtues that benefited public life. • Such virtues included honesty, duty, and the willingness to make sacrifices.

12. Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

13. 16. How did Americans’ goals for government change after declaring independence? • They wanted to set up an effective govern-ment with a strong executive branch. • They replaced the demand for rights as English citizens with the idea of repub-licanism. • Most Americans wanted a government ban on slavery. • Women demanded the right to vote. • Churches began to receive tax money in some states.

14. 17. What does the idea of republicanism mean? • Individuals should place the good of the country above their own interests. • The people should rule, not a king. • Only people who have wealth or own property should participate in government. • The government's powers should be limited by a written constitution. • Citizens exercise their power by voting for political representatives. Choose all that are true!

15. Religious Freedom • As part of their liberty, Americans wanted to keep religion separate from government. • Before the war, some laws discriminated against certain religions. • Some states had not allowed Jews or Catholics to hold public office.

16. Religious Freedom • After the war, states began to abolish those laws. • They also ended the practice of using tax money to support churches.

17. Slavery • Many people began to see a conflict between slavery and the ideal of liberty. • Vermont outlawed slavery, and Pennsylvania passed a law to free slaves gradually.

18. Slavery • Individual African Americans also tried to end slavery. • For example, Elizabeth Freeman sued for her freedom in a Massa–chusetts court and won. • Her victory in 1781 and other similar cases ended slavery in that state.

19. Slavery • With freedom, African Americans began to form their own institutions. • For example, the preacher Richard Allen helped start the Free African Society. • That society encouraged African Americans to help each other. Allen also founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first African-American church in the United States.

20. Influence on Other Countries • The American Revolution also influenced people in other countries. • The Declaration of Independence was widely circulated in France, and helped inspire the French Revolution in 1789.

21. Influence on Other Countries • Revolutionaries in Latin America began to rise up against colonial powers in the late 1700s and early 1800s. • By 1830, most of the former European colonies in Central and South America had won independence.

22. A New National Government • Perhaps the main issue facing Americans after the war was how to shape their national government. • American anger over British taxes, violation of rights, and control of trade had caused the war. • Now the United States needed a government that would protect citizens’ rights and economic freedom.

23. Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

24. How did American independence begin to change life for African Americans? • Some states voted to end slavery. • Blacks were given the right to vote. • Churches and other organizations were formed to help African Americans. • Most blacks became landowners and small businessmen . • Some African Americans were able to win their freedom in the courts. Choose all that are true!

25. 18. How did the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence influence other countries? • Canada also began to demand its independence from Britain. • They inspired the French to overthrow their monarchy. • Nations in Central and South America fought to win their own independence. • Britain decided to give all its colonies independence. Choose all that are true!