So You Say You Want a Revolution? #4

So you say you want a Revolution? #4

The Second Continental Congress was called just three weeks after the clashes at Lexington and Concord in order to better organize the rebellion. All colonies, (except Georgia again), sent representatives that all agreed that resistance was necessary yet they differed in the cause of their resistance to England. The Olive Branch Petition was authored by Jefferson on July 5th, 1775, but later changed by Dickerson to remove abusive language. This petition, like the many others sent at the time, was a final effort to avoid war with England and which attempted to appeal to the Crown. It outlined that the colonists’ goals were to not have full-blown war with the British homeland—that it was simply a two-part issue of taxes and trade rights. (these were the conservatives). Others like John and Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee claiming that England had gone too far and war was eminent. The next day, the Congress approved the “Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms” also sent to King and Parliament claiming that the King has left the colonies with only two choices: bow down in unconditional submission, or resistance by force. In the beginning of the war the colonists were still divided and most leaned toward remaining British but being given more autonomy over their lives—and this is what they believed they were fighting to achieve. This all changed when moderates learned that the British were hiring Native Americans, slaves, foreign mercenaries (the hated Hessians) against them. Lastly, the colonists believed that the British were forcing the colonists toward revolution by not accepting the Olive Branch Petition. To make things worse for the loyalist hopefuls was the “Prohibitory Act” which stopped all shipping to the colonies which halted all trade from abroad and blockaded every colonial port. There was no turning back, even for the moderates.

Common Sense

“Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part.” Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

Support grew rapidly as a pamphlet appeared by a passionate writer named Thomas Paine. His work entitled, “Common Sense” was an attack on the policies demonstrated by the King onto his people. It outlined the grievances the colonists had against England and made specific reference to the King in telling him what HE would do. Support created by the fiery work of Paine was far from unanimous; the idea to break away was gaining support rapidly. Communication with other nations was established and ports in the American colony were open to all countries EXCEPT Great Britain. After a draft was created on July 2, 1776, the official document was approved on July 4th, 1776 which is known as “The Declaration of Independence”. Written mostly by Thomas Jefferson, he had two main advisors: Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. The document itself was a patchwork of doctrines that Jefferson so eloquently wove together who borrowed heavily from John Locke, George Mason, as well as, Greek and Roman ideas into a living document that is open to change as history evolves. Main ideas in the Declaration of Independence are: “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”, “All Men are Created Equal”, “All People have certain Unalienable Rights”, “The People Consent to be Governed but the Government may be Abolished if it is Not Act in the Best Interest of the Governed”.

America Divided

Although there remained division amongst the American citizens faced with an unbalanced war with Great Britain, a move to centralize authority over the new states was created in 1777 by the Articles of Confederation. This was the first attempt at a constitution for the new confederacy but it lacked the main qualities that would have bound the states together into one cohesive unit. The reason for this is simple. The new United States of America was afraid of falling into the trap of a dictatorship. The Articles of Confederation were proposed as a set of laws created as loosely as possible for two reasons. First, the cease of restrictions was necessary for entrepreneurs to flourish bringing new ideas to the country. Next, the states themselves were very autonomous (self-sufficient). The Articles themselves were not officially ratified (agreed upon), until 1781. The weaknesses in the Articles served to mend the sting of the revolution but hindered the advances the new country deeply desired. One vote was granted to each state regardless of population, the Congress did NOT have the power to tax the states, Congress could not regulate foreign or interstate commerce, there was no national court system, any change to the Articles required a unanimous vote, all laws required 9/13 majority to pass in Congress. Each state printed its own money. In a nutshell, it was a mess. The British were fuming at the former British subjects and also at their longtime foe: France. The Articles of Confederation could not declare war—just lucky England didn’t come back for revenge…(not until the War of 1812).

War for Independence

General George Washington of Virginia was chosen to lead the US army against the British. Known as one of the founding fathers of the country, he was not present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence (he was a bit busy organizing an army of farmers and craftsmen). Foreign aid came via France still bitter at England for the Treat of Utrecht (ending the War of Spanish Succession and rights to vast lands in the Americas). Yea, France was still pissed. Now France had a way to get back at England. Helping the colonists to secede would drive King George III even more mad than he already was!! Detailing each battle will bore you and be way too many copies…the one battle that is always on the AP Exam is the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 was the most significant turning point of the entire war—this was the game changer. After the American victory at Saratoga, New York; the only possible weakness the British had was to defend their homeland. (John Paul Jones had taken his crew to England and terrorized the British shipping lanes (known by the British as the dreaded Pirate John Paul Jones), proving that the British were venerable if caught off-guard). The French would be influenced to help the Americans in two ways. Sending ships to help defend the American shores from influxes of extra British soldiers was one way, but even more importantly, the threat of attacking England while her navy and army were away in the New World improved the Americans’ odds greatly. The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution in 1783—but England longed to return— to take what they felt was rightfully theirs.

State Constitutions

Above all else, when the Americans decided to create governments, it was going to be republican—by the people, for the people. Not wanting to be led by rich aristocrats into another dictatorship, the Americans knew that the foundation of government must be centered on the small independent landholder (not just the richest). This ideology was central to all American political ideology at the time. Another crucial part of the ideology was the concept of equality. “All Men are Created Equal” stood in direct contrast to the European model. The innate qualities, talents, and energies of individuals, not their positions at birth, would determine their roles in society. There would be no equality of condition, just quality of opportunity. (Women, minorities, Native Americans, and Africans: slave or freed not included). Yet the ideal was monumental in the idea that never before in history did a country desire to have the boldest and the brightest lead—not just the rich. Inequality existed among the white population as well, but the infrastructure was in place. Hard work replaced birthright in this new country. This idea inspired the French Revolution as well as the independence movements of Latin American countries and around the world.

Connecticut and Rhode Island had state constitutions already in place long before the revolution and simply deleted references to: the King, or England…from their charters and proceeded to adopt them as state constitutions. The other 11 states had to create their own state constitutions. Two defining themes dominated the state constitutions. One: All laws must be written down (England’s vague laws led to corruption). And Two: Executive power had to be limited. No governor could hold a seat in legislature designed to keep the two branches of government wholly separated.

Revising the states’ constitutions was needed due to “too much democracy” (and not enough decision making), therefore, a constitutional assembly was created of its own citizens to write the new state constitution without bias. Another change was to strengthen (not weaken), the authority of the governor in an effort to stabilize the state legislature. He would be elected by the people and paid a salary and would have strong appointment powers, as well as the power to veto over legislation.

NEEDED: Federal Constitution

The Articles of Confederation were weak by design but this created a “healing time” for the new United States to think deeply into what would be next for their new country. The negatives did outweigh the positives in that the Articles have the power to declare war, create foreign relations, and borrow or print money, but the negatives were far more restrictive. The Articles gave no room to regulate trade, draft troops (essential if you declare war, no?), or levy taxes. (federal taxes). The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 abandoned previous ordinances to land creating one large parcel north of present day Ohio where 60,000 people would occupy the territory and move it toward statehood. Three main themes of the Northwest Territory would be: freedom of religion, right to trial by jury, and it prohibited slavery. Other lands to the south developed more haphazardly—lands becoming Kentucky and Tennessee.

Shays Rebellion is important to note in that this rebellion in the summer of 1786 in Massachusetts just outside Boston. Shays rebellion center on the idea that the harsh depression and added taxes hindered the small farmers too much and it was the right of the individual to be protected by his government, not profited from him. Shays arranged to take an armory in Springfield to add to his arsenal but the state militia men scattered his ragged assembly of fighters and killed several. Shays was sentenced to death yet pardoned by the governor and some tax relief came to the Northern farmers. The siege of the armory, as well as, Shays’ goals were not met; but it was clear that the need for a NATIONAL CONSTITUTION would wait no longer.

Shays Rebellion 1786-87