1	Revolution Part 2 Week 7, Day 2
2	Declaration of Independence breaks America totally from Britain “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do” Richard Henry Lee called for a confederation of these states
3	Articles of Confederation First ________________ Created national government with sharply___________ powers Why? ______________________ positives and negatives confederation = _____________________ formally adopted in __________________ by Continental Congress, sent to the states for _________________ not officially official yet
4	Articles of Confederation Schweikart and Allen say that the First & Second Continental Congresses operated under a similar system from 1774-1776 Therefore, ________________, we were under a confederation How would America set up their government? There were no true examples of republican democracy in the world. But, Americans were used to governing themselves? Would new politicians leap at chance to take power in an elite executive office, like a king?
5	__________ political ideology Whigs were “____________” of Britain Responsible for revolutions, like Glorious Revolution, in England; _______________ over the king Constitutions should be ____________ documents Powers of government should be divided among three branches, but one should remain supreme _____________ fear of abuse of power, right of citizens to bear arms rights of jury trial, habeas corpus, no cruel and unusual punishment, free speech (in a political sense, not all cases)
6	Whig Political Ideology American who adopted Whig ideals were more _____________ than any country in the world more people could vote than before (landed, and unlanded, men, of any vocation), from any socioeconomic background (small farmer, lawyer, plantation owner, small business clerk)—_________% male suffrage however, we were not a __________________, and never were intended to be
7	Republicanism many thinkers of the time saw true democracy, total equality and universal suffrage, as ____________ the mob is_____________ and the majority will oppress the minority at the polls, if given the _________ and the ___________ the majority should not have absolute power “___________________________” Instead, government should be conservative in the long run, to keep violent change from destroying society’s fabric, and keep the majority checked if it gets out of hand Republicanism = the mob votes in representatives that can be the voice of the people, but the voice of ___________ in times of upheaval, emotional distress Governing laws, therefore, should embody ____________, to not allow the government or the majority to get too much power Small government = _______ government
8	Powers of the government under the Articles National assembly—Congress Whig ideals won in this point, as they create legislature with most power each state has single ____________ _____________ limits strict _____________ elected annually by Congress (what do we call this today?) major decisions require ____/13 state votes
9	Powers of the government under the Articles international—conduct ___________ affairs, treaties, war/peace, armed forces domestic—take out loans, bills of credit, coin money, regulate trade with Indians, final authority in interstate problems, post office no power to ________ ratification required ____/13 states amendments required _____/13 states Maryland did not sign for years It had no ____________ land Wanted those who did to give up land to national government for “_________________________” Special interest groups did not want this ______________broke stalemate by ceding lands
10	Financing the War Grants/loans from foreign governments, issuing _____ currency in US ______________ currency almost worthless Congress asked states to raise ____________, few did Printed their own, causing more inflation and debt Continental soldiers, landlords, merchants all devastated by inflation Why? __________________—financier of the Revolution Bank of North America—first ____________ commercial bank Dumped his own gold and silver in it Printed currency backed by these metals Able to pay off soldiers, interest on debt Tried to obtain 5% tariff on imports Rhode Island did not want it, Morris resigned
11	Treaty of Paris Fundamental aims = recognition of US _____________, withdrawal of all British troops, fishing rights, land in Canada France wanted to limit US power
12	Treaty of Paris Franklin, Jay, Adams went against Congress and French British concede to all fundamental aims, trying to play US off France Americans do not hamper British recovery of debt, cease __________________ Loyalist property, compensate Loyalists _____________ for lands Equal navigation of Mississippi British stop occupying NYC, Charleston Spain received lands it conquered from Britain Signed on September 3, ________—about 2 years after fighting ended
13	Problems with officers, honor of Washington Officers promised _________ pension for life Demanded 5 years’ pay as a bonus instead, coupled with threats of coup Washington dispels threat, with comment about his age and eyes Washington, furthermore, steps down as commander of army Instead of becoming military_____________ Regular soldiers given 3 months’ pay bonus
14	Problems in the West Whites continued to move West during Revolution Kentucky and Tennessee grows by thousands _______________ loose land, even though Patriots ____________ threatening closing Mississippi to Americans ______________ threatens to join British, then
15	Problems in the West Congress asserts control over Western territories by ___________ Divided land into territories Settler self-government Population quotas reached = statehood Ordered ___________ (Jeffersonian grid) townships divided into 36 sections one square mile/640 acres each land reserved for __________, public revenue sold cheap ($1/acre)
16	Problems in the West Iroquois forced to cede land in 2nd Treaty of Stanwix and Treaty of Fort McIntosh Why could this be considered fair? Congress made money from land sale Northwest Ordinance passed in 1787, paved way for Midwestern states to enter union ____________________________________
17	Shays’ Rebellion Trade ______________ with England leads to depression Currency in circulation = ___________ amount Western Massachusetts __________ were hit hard by depression Merchants wanted them to pay debts in hard currency that they _________________________ Debtors were sued, many put in jail in 1780s State government did not send relief in form of paper currency, though petitioned
18	Shays’ Rebellion Farmers reacted by mustering, closing down courts to stop trials of debtors Daniel Shays led one Massachusetts group Many other groups in other states that were similar Patriot militia sent to quell rebellion, won in January 1787 Rebels sentenced to death, many pardoned Effects—traditional interpretation says this showed ineffectiveness of national government to: Control _________________ Prevent rebellions
19	Articles under scrutiny Strengths Waged war with Britain Negotiated Treaty of Paris, official independence with Britain Established first bank of America Printed paper currency, relieved debt for a while Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787—prohibited slavery Able to transition to proper Constitution
20	Articles under scrutiny Weaknesses Couldn’t stop Spanish bullying in South Jay gave up 25 years of navigating Mississippi Couldn’t stop depression quickly Shays’ Rebellions Governmental power not balanced enough—need strong executive and permanent judiciary Kentucky, even Maryland threaten rebellion