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The Confederation and the Constitution: Pursuit of Equality and Nation Building

This chapter explores the pursuit of equality during the creation of the Confederation and the Constitution in America from 1776-1790. It examines issues such as voting rights, separation of church and state, women's rights, and the challenges faced in building a new nation. The chapter also delves into the economic crosscurrents, the creation of a confederation, landmark land laws, foreign relations, and the clash between Federalists and Antifederalists.

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The Confederation and the Constitution: Pursuit of Equality and Nation Building

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  1. Chapter 9 The Confederation and the Constitution, 1776–1790

  2. I. The Pursuit of Equality • More males allowed to vote • Separation of church and state issues • Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1786) • Incomplete equality for women • New Jersey’s 1776 constitution = women could vote • “Republican motherhood” women=nation's conscience • Central to republican ideology was Civic virtue • Unselfish commitment of each to the public good

  3. LOOK 4 CONTINUING THEMES 1700s? 1800s? 1900? 2000s?

  4. II. Constitution Making in the States • ‘Colonies’ wrote new ‘state’ constitutions (1776) • Common state constitutional features • Contained three branches • Legislatures were given the most powers

  5. DrawOhio’sFlag

  6. III. Economic Crosscurrents • Positive Economic changes • Former crown lands - cheap and easily available • Less trade w/ GB (manufacturing stimulus) • Independence had economic drawbacks • Fisheries were disrupted • Inflation made most worse off economically • People against local & state taxes

  7. IV. A Shaky Start Toward Union • Disruptive forces try to foil new governments • Government of experimentation and innovation • Many areas use to ruling themselves • Many areas blessed with good political leaders

  8. V. Creating a Confederation • After D of I the 3 states were sovereign • They coined money, raised armies/navies, erected tariffs • The Articles of Confederation • Adopted in 1777, ratified by states in 1781 • Unanimous approval by the 13 states required • Western lands to be used for the “common benefit” • Led to Northwest Ordinance of 1787

  9. VI. The Articles of Confederation: America’s First Constitution • “Articles of Confusion” • No executive branch, no judicial branch • Congress had no power to regulate commerce • Congress couldn’t enforce tax-collection • Congress could not control Independent states • The Articles of Confederation did… • Provide nation with our first written constitution • Hold the states together in a ‘perpetual union’ • A precursor to the Constitution of the United States

  10. Independence Hall in Philadelphia p164

  11. VII. Landmarks in Land Laws • Old Northwest = upper midwest/Great Lakes • Land Ordinance of 1785 • Old Northwest land to be sold to pay national debt • Northwest Ordinance (1787) • Explain national expansion (territory, then state) • The Ordinance forbid slavery • The Ordinance require public education

  12. VIII. The World’s Ugly Duckling • Foreign relations with Britain remained troubled • Keep forts / trading posts on U.S. territory • Spain openly hostile to the new Republic • Closed Mississippi River to U.S. goods and ships • France, USA’s friend, focused on domestic issues • Barbary pirates ravaged U.S. in Mediterranean

  13. Map 9-3 p167

  14. IX. The Horrid Specter of Anarchy • The “Critical Era’ (1780’s) • Economic problems • Inflation and debt were a major issue • Shays’ Rebellion in western Massachusetts • Civic virtue losing to self-interest and greed • Political problems • State legislatures not stable enough • National government not powerful enough

  15. p168

  16. X. A Convention of “Demigods” • Annapolis convention of 1786 • Only 5 states attended, called for a convention in 1787 • The delegates at Philadelphia • 12 states (all but Rhode Island) • High caliber people (Jefferson called them ‘demigods’) • George Washington was elected chairman • Benjamin Franklin was the elder statesman • James Madison dubbed ‘Father of the Constitution’

  17. Independence Hall (Philadelphia)

  18. Inside Independence Hall

  19. XI. Patriots in Philadelphia • Characteristics of the 55 delegates • Young, conservative, wealthy, successful, experienced • ‘Nationalists’ – goal keep the ‘union’ • Wanted a stable endurable political structure • Wanted a more powerful central • Believed in republicanism but worried about • Threats from abroad • Excesses at home (“mobocracy”)

  20. YOUNGESTSIGNEROF THE CONSTITUTION

  21. XII. Hammering Out a Bundle of Compromises • Delegates decided to completely scrap A of C • Virginia Plan—Bicameral based on population • New Jersey Plan—Unicameral equal representation • The Great (New Jersey) Compromise • Bicameral: H of R = population, Senate = equal • Electoral College compromise • Three-fifths compromise • Slave trade (20 year) compromise • The final Constitution is vague, allows flexibility • The national government increased their power

  22. XIII. Safeguards for Conservatism • Federal judges were to be appointed for life • President elected indirectly by Electoral College • Senators chosen indirectly by state legislatures • H of R chosen by citizens • Checks and balances developed

  23. “POP”ESSAY What were three of the most important differences between the Articles and the Constitution? 50 WORDS IN 5 MINUTES

  24. XIV. The Clash of Federalists & Antifederalists • 9 of 13 states had to ratify The Constitution • Antifederalists - against Constitutional ratification • Opposed a stronger federal gov’t • Poor, small farmers, debtors • Saw Constitution as a “gilded trap” • Federalists - for Constitutional ratification • Supported a stronger federal gov’t • Wealthy, business & land owners • More educated, more organized

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