New Notes for Chapter 9 Part 2—p. 176 “horrid” to p. 182 “clash”.

THESE NOTES ARE MASSIVELY SIGNIFICANT ON THIS UNIT BUT ALSO FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR 

The American Revolution’s democratic and republican ideals inspired new experiments with different forms of government.

-ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

-NEW STATE CONSTITUTIONS

-THE CONSTITUTION

The ideals that inspired the revolutionary cause reflected new beliefs about politics, religion, and society that had been developing over the course of the 18th century.

-JOHN LOCKE

-JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU

-BARON MONTESQIEU –THREE BRANCHES OF GOV’T==CHECKS AND BALANCES

-HOBBES

-PAINE

-WHITEFIELD

-WESLEY

-MORE 

Enlightenment ideas and philosophy inspired many American political thinkers to emphasize individual talent over hereditary privilege, while religion strengthened American’s view of themselves as a people blessed with liberty.

Liberty- freedom from arbitrary or despotic government; freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, to think, do, speak, as you choose.

Freedom-the condition of being free or at liberty,-exemption from external control, interference, regulation.

Can “negative liberty” exist? We will see 

-JOHN LOCKE

-JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU

-BARON MONTESQIEU –THREE BRANCHES OF GOV’T==CHECKS AND BALANCES

-HOBBES

-PAINE

-WHITEFIELD

-WESLEY

-MORE 

The colonists’ belief in the superiority of republican forms of government based on the natural rights of the people found expression in Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence. The ideas in these documents resonated throughout the American history, shaping Americans’ understanding of the ideals on which the nation was based.

- “WE THE PEOPLE”

-“THE CONSTITUTION” ---REPRESENTATION, 3 BRANCHES OF GOV’T WITH CHECKS AND BALANCES-BILL OF RIGHTS---MORE 

After declaring independence, American political leaders created new constitutions and declarations of rights that articulated the role of the state and federal governments while protecting individual liberties and limiting both the centralized power and excessive popular influence.

THE AOC – NEW STATE CONSTITUTIONS- CONSTITUTION (SEVERAL SPECIFIC EXAMPLES)

Delegates from the states participated in a Constitutional Convention and through negotiation, collaboration, and compromise proposed a constitution that created a limited but dynamic central government embodying federalism and providing for a separation of powers between its three branches.

55 DELEGATES REPRESENTING 12 STATES—RI NOT INCLUDED

ANNAPOLIS CONVENTION 1ST-PHILADELPHIA 2ND

REPRESENTATION COMPROMISE

PRESIDENTIAL COMPROMISE

3/5THS COMPROMISE

SLAVE TRADE COMPROMISE –ETC…

EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE-JUDICIAL –ONLY ½ OF 3 ARE POPULARLY ELECTED…A CHECK ON THE MASSES

ENUMERATED POWERS OF THE FEDERAL GOV’T---BILL OF RIGHTS #10=ALL POWERS NOT SPECIFICALLY DELEGATED TO THE NATIONAL GOV’T ARE LEFT TO THE PEOPLE AND THE STATES  A “FEDERAL” SYSTEM (SHARING OF POWER BETWEEN NATIONAL AND STATE GOVTS…

The Constitutional Convention compromised over the representation of slave states in Congress and the role of the federal government in regulating both slavery and the slave trade, allowing the prohibition of the international slave trade after 1808.

3/5THS COMPROMISE

SLAVE TRADE COMPROMISE

MADISON’S QUOTE ---IT WAS EITHER UNITY OR DISSOLVE OVER THE SLAVE QUESTION---THEY CHOSE UNITY FIRST---

But ---history provided scant precedent for erecting a republic on a national scale. No law of nature guaranteed that the thirteen rebellious colonies would stay glued together as a single nation, nor that they would preserve, not to mention expand, their democratic way of life. New institutions had to be created, new habits of thought cultivated. Who could predict whether the American experiment in government by the people would succeed?

The feeble (intentionally weak) national government cobbled together under the Articles of Confederation during the Revolutionary War soon proved woefully inadequate to the task of nation building. In less than ten years after the Revolutionary War’s conclusion, the Articles were replaced by a new Constitution.

The National Government under the AOC—a single legislative house (unicameral) --- did some things well------1 & 2 – Brilliantly, they solve the problems with western lands (took them 6 years, during the war to solve this issue—it delays the formal adoption of the AOC)---The Land Ordinance of 1785 & the Northwest Ordinance of 1787--- The system of adopting New States AS COMPLETELY EQUAL TO THE ORIGNINAL 13-- in the system of “Temporary Tutelage”—the TERRITORY SYSTEM—allows or system to EXPAND WEST [ OUR GLORIOUS “MANIFEST DESTINY”]---ALL 50 STATES ENTER AS EQUALS---NO COLONIES FOR US ---(WE WILL QUESTION THIS LATER) AND WITHOUT QUESTION-----BANNING SLAVES IN THE “OLD NORTHWEST” ---AND NOT BANNING SLAVES IN THE OLD SOUTHWEST-----SET US UP FOR MANY CONTROVERSIES TO COME----AND THIS ISSUE ALONE-----WHETHER TO ALLOW SLAVERY TO EXPAND WEST ----IS THE ISSUE THAT LEADS TO SECESSION AND A CIVIL WAR************************************************splits religions, splits political parties, splits the nation.

-3 It managed (barely) to WIN THE WAR—issues such as the “Newburgh Conspiracy” (XC) and the FAILURE—OF THE --Requisition System (the way the national government had to beg for $$$ from the states) LED TO MANY TO QUESTION, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT SERVED IN THE MILITARY DURING THE WAR AND FELT THE SHORTAGES ---WATCHED SOLDIERS DIE DUE TO STARVATION---EXPOSURE---AND THEY WONDERED---BEGAN TO QUESTION---WOULD THIS EXPERIMENT IN DEMOCRACY---ONE THAT SO MANY HAD PAID FOR WITH THEIR LIVES---SURVIVE---DUE TO ITS CRITICAL WEAKNESSES ..

THE HORRID SPECTER OF ANARCHY

SHAY’S REBELLION (1787)*** THE “SPARK” that strikes fear----and leads to the Constitutional Convention. (note: as we begin to study GWs presidency---pay attention to the WHISKEY REBELLION---it will look similar)

Other “Backcountry Rebellions”- have occurred previously and the issues are similar---a group of citizens feel as thought they are being “ripped off” or “cheated” by the ELITES that run the State/Colonial Gov’t---THAT THEY ARE CORRUPT---SELF-SERVING---NOT “republican.” PAXTON BOYS IN PENN, 1760S---THE REGULATORS IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA –TO 1771….

The fear of a “mobocracy.” (is this real---or is this about an unresolved question left over from the revolution--) “really about “WHO SHOULD RULE AT HOME?” Some Historians claim the transition from the AOC to the Constitution---really was another---“peaceful revolution”- TJ’s opening quote--the more wealthy elites---limiting the “ultrademocratic” excesses of the masses----to protect the interests of the more wealthy, educated, and thoughtful---those that should “rule”---it will be interesting as we see who comments on this and their rationale---it will seem later, under GWs presidency that they are hypocrites- Some become-States Righters-- let’s see  and you tell me.

BY 1785 THERE WAS AN ECONOMIC DEPRESSION----

The Requisition System*** was NOT WORKING--- some States REFUSE TO PAY ANYTHING --- Remember under the AOC: There are 13 INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN COUNTRIES**** WHO come together and form A CONFEDERACY---to meet their common enemy----THE WAR IS OVER---WHAT WILL THESE 13 INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES DO NOW?

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (A SINGLE CONGRESS) – WAS IN PANIC, NO $$$--- interest on the $$$ they had borrowed to fight the war was rising---DEBT WAS OUT OF CONTROL---many representatives to the national congress did not show up AT ALL—believing that the POWER and future was in THEIR STATE.

STATE- “a politically unified people occupying a definite territory; nation.” By definition (dictionary.com) as you can see the definition is one we would generally associate with “country”---however---that is not the case---but our viewpoint today is very different in America due to the system that is created when we accept the Constitution, later—but goes a long way to explain WHY AND HOW PEOPLE AT THIS TIME IN HISTORY SEE IT DIFFERENTLY---

THE STATES WERE GETTING COMPETITIVE AND QUARRELING:

-Issues over boundaries---Maryland and Pennsylvania hire two surveyors (Mr. Mason and Mr. Dixon) to survey their boundary---the famed MASON-DIXON LINE---it began to become associated with the boundary between FREE and SLAVE STATES LATER---

- STATES WERE “TARIFFING” EACH OTHERS GOODS --- taxing goods produced in one state that crossed the boundary into another state and were sold there----TARIFFs are often used by countries to protect their own similar industries from competition from other countries---THIS WILL BE A MAJOR ISSUE LATER--- it raises prices for all—yet does protect certain industries from competition--- if you are not benefitting from this protection---then all you get is higher prices for these products, and often this leads to conflict---especially later in US History 

Example: New York taxed firewood from Conn. and cabbages from New Jersey.

STATES BEGAN TO ISSUE PAPER $$$ -- today this is no big deal---Because it is backed by our national government---and most countries do this---people accept paper as $$$ today. BUT---back then---who guaranteed the paper was worth anything? During the WAR---the national government issued the CONTINENTAL DOLLAR ---and it became worthless--- so as STATES do the same thing—it causes PANIC. Why? Because if you loaned someone $$$ or if you had to buy goods or pay workers with HARD CURRENCY-SPECIE-GOLD AND SILVER--- and then someone bought your goods with PAPER—or PAID YOU BACK WITH PAPER--- and it WAS WORTH LESS than the Gold or Silver you had used---YOU FELT CHEATED--- and probably were--- so THOSE WITH $$$ GOLD AND SILVER—OR GOODS--- THOUGHT THIS WAS A BAD THING –CHAOS--- now---IF YOU WERE SOMEONE WHO OWED $$$ (most regular people) YOU LOVED THIS--- and you could get out of debt easier--- OR IF YOU ARE PAID IN PAPER—MOST REV. WAR SOLDIERS—(if they were paid at all---some only got “Promissory Notes” - a promise to pay later )

(THE REAL STORY)***Most of the people involved IN SHAY’S REBELLION WERE FORMER SOLDIERS WHO HAD NOT BEEN PAID--- YET---FOR THEIR MILITARY SERVICE---AND THE COURTS OF MASSACHUSETTS WERE “FORECLOSING ON THEIR LAND” (did not allow them to pay property taxes with what they had grown or livestock) They attempted to resolve their conflict peacefully---wrote letters, lobbied the Mass. Legis. In person… peacefully assembled at Court Houses to ask Judges to reasonably give them time--- BUT---THE GOVT OF MASS SAID NO---SAID WHO ARE THESE “RABBLE” ---PAY UP NOW OR LOSE YOUR LAND--- many wealthier citizens were looking for choice land to TAKE--- CHOICE LAND WAS hard to find in Mass AT THIS TIME… which was already settled heavily--- land values were climbing--- many were already looking west --- THE REAL STORY IS HEARTBREAKING---FAMILIES FORCED OUT—FORMER SOLDIERS –NOT PAID--- FORCED TO LOSE ALL THEY HAD FOUGHT FOR---

What would you do?

CAPTAIN DANIEL SHAYS---BEGINS to form an Army [they demand; cheap paper $, lower taxes, and a suspension of foreclosures of property]—of these dissatisfied former Veterans---and they TOGETHER—go to Courthouses and intimidate JUDGES AND JURIES (their peers) to quit taking these farms--- SO INTIMIDATING---that the legislature of MASS is asked by the WEALTHY --- to form and ARMY TO PROTECT THEIR “rights” and their “liberties” ---to FOLLOW THE LAW--- and these wealthy citizens ---PAY FOR ANY ARMY--- to CRUSH THE REBELS*** this uprising is almost identical to the REGULATOR MOVEMENT that appeared in N & S Carolina earlier---they just wanted an “ETHICAL GOVERNMENT” and LAWS that represented ALL PEOPLE EQUALLY----Clearly they were not very smart—they should have known that $$$$ always wins, BECAUSE $$$ CREATES THE LAWS----not like today, of course  poor people---its their own fault isn’t it…. Even then 

THE POOR PEOPLES ARMY IS CRUSHED BY THE RICH PEOPLES ARMY--- SHAY’S IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH—but pardoned ---thanks interestingly, later---THE MASS LEGISLATURE passes DEBT RELIEF LEGISLATION---RESTRICTING PROPERTY FORCLOSURES  - It happens at the same time that the CONSTITUTION was up for an approval vote from the people’s convention in Mass. hmmmm.

EFFECTS OF SHAY’S REBELLION:

These outbursts of debtors STRUCK FEAR IN THE PROPERTIED CLASS.

They (wealthy) began to suspect—that the Revolution had created the MONSTER –“A MOBOCRACY”

“republicanism” unchecked –fed on an insatiable appetite for LIBERTY—(see definition at the beg. of the notes )

MAYBE A NEW STRONGER CENTRAL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE CREATED?

SO—WE HAVE SOME FORMER REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS WHO BELIEVE WE NEED A STRONGER GOVERNMENT DUE TO THE LACK OF SUPPORT THEY RECEIVED FIGHTING THE WAR---AND THAT IF NOT THE WHOLE “EXPERIMENT” WOULD CRASH DUE TO CHAOS---WE HAVE SOME FROM THE PROPERTIED CLASSES THAT BELIEVED THAT “UNCHECKED DEMOCRACY” LED TO A “MOBOCRACY” WITH THE MASSES RUNNING AMOK—WE SEE THAT OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS ARE OUT OF CONTROL---WE SEE THAT OUR DEBT IS SKYROCKETING---WE SEE THE MASSES ROLLING IN PAPER $$$ AND LAUGHING (JOKE ) SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO---COULD IT BE THAT THE REVOLUTION WAS NOT ABOUT “HOME RULE” (INDEPENDENCE) BUT---“WHO SHOULD RULE AT HOME?” perhaps?

The AOC was a STEP---another STEP is coming---an evolution---the Articles, made intentionally weak due to the fears and experiences under the STRONG BRITISH CENTRAL GOV’t—led to a barely functioning BUT necessary CONFEDERATION---Created to fight and win a war---perhaps with the intention of being A TEMPORARY MEASURE?--- it depends on who is speaking--- 1)some maybe would want to evolve into a Europe—with several smaller independent states--- 2)others might want a Confederation to continue with a very weak national government and STRONGER STATES (STATES RIGHTERS) and 3)SOME a SUPREME STRONG CENTRAL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT with subservient states--- what do we get? We will see---AND THIS DIVISION OF OPINION WILL BE THE BASIS FOR A FIGHT---THAT FOR SOME STILL CONTINUES TO THIS DAY! The fight will be between those that believe in #2 and those that believe in #3 ---at some points #3 is dominant and at some points #2 is dominant---THIS UNDERSTANDING IS KEY*** AS WE STUDY AMERICAN HISTORY FROM THIS POINT FORWARD. And is key to understanding the divisions and debates upcoming at the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in 1787 that creates our new and current government based on this CONSTITUTION.

A CONVENTION OF DEMIGODS (NOT REALLY THEY WERE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME , perhaps)

****According to the text, and many historians, a lack of CONTROL OF COMMERCE under the AOC (BUSINESS AND $$$) WAS, MORE THAN ANY OTHER PROBLEM---the issue that led to the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION********

Virginia, in 1786, calls for a convention of the States to be held in ANNAPOLIS (the Annapolis Convention***) to discuss the problems with Interstate Commerce. Only nine states appointed representatives, and only 5 states showed up. Nothing meaningful could be decided here ----(remember that it takes ALL 13 STATES to agree to ANY AMENDMENT OR CHANGE TO THE A.O.C.) ---BUT---a YOUNG, 31, NEW YORKER ******ALEXANDER HAMILTON****

Orphan from the West Indies, who becomes a brilliant Economic Genius while working as the Treasurer for a Sugar Plantation, and moves to the USA-- becomes one of George Washington’s officers during the Revolutionary War, and is a major influence for a STRONGER US GOVERNMENT*** a huge influence at the later convention, IS THE PRIMARY WRITER OF THE “FEDERALIST PAPERS” that supports the ratification of the Constitution {along with James Madison and John Jay}, AND during GWs Presidency becomes the 1st, and some say greatest, SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

Hamilton in the Annapolis Convention saved the meeting—by getting his “report” adopted… CALLING ON THE AOC Congress to SUMMON A CONVENTION TO MEET IN PHILADELPHIA IN A YEAR—NOT TO DEAL WITH JUST COMMERCIAL ISSUES---BUT—TO STRENGTHEN THE Articles of Confederation.****

The AOC Congress gets the message—in NYC---and slowly began to consider this call for a new convention--- 6 states had already appointed delegates—so the CONGRESS CALLS FOR A NEW CONVENTION IN PHILLY---FOR THE EXPRESSED PURPOSE---TO “REVISE” THE ARTICLES*** Of course, we know now that the Articles are completely scrapped thrown away at the convention and a brand new and very different government is created in the Constitution. BUT this was NOT THE INTENTION OR PURPOSE, supposedly*** Patrick Henry, in Virginia is elected to serve, BUT CHOOSES NOT TO---“because he smelled a rat.”  he later opposes the Constitution and fights with James Madison and others in the Virginia ratifying convention---he becomes an ANTI-FEDERALIST.

All of the States but ONE (Rhode Island) chose representatives [All appointed by their State Legislatures] to serve at the Phllly Convention.Important question before we begin---according to the “rules” of government under the Articles of Confederation----CAN ANY CHANGES/AMENDMENTS BE MADE TO THE ARTICLES WITHOUT UNANIMOUS APPROVAL? NO---“Little Rhoddy” Rhode Island knew this and so did not appoint/elect anyone to attend---should not this action ended the convention? Could they LEGALLY DO ANYTHING? Supposedly not…but let’s see what happens despite RIs opposition –and despite “THE RULES”  What will this make the “Founders” real revolutionaries? Overthrowing a gov’t---by “peaceful means” JEFFERSON’S QUOTE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CHAPTER 