“We know what we want-now, how do we do it?” Republic Republicanism (based on the consent of the people)

Needed a government based on virtue – good of nation over personal issues

The Setup: Limited leaders roles Guaranteed specific rights for citizens Emphasized liberty over equality

States had their own Constitutions Different rules depending on the state

Americans after the revolution believed: Power arises from the consent of the governed = the

people

DID NOT WANT a direct democracy! (WHY?)

Republic was best….

PROS? CONS?

Republic, YES.

Supreme power? NO!!!

SOLUTION a confederation

1. Representation by population or State?

2. Supreme Power: Can it be divided?

3. Western Lands: Who gets them?

REPRESENTATION BY POPULATION OR STATE?

SUPREME POWER: CAN IT BE DIVIDED?

Equal…..but not really How?

How should representatives be decided?

Members saw themselves as citizens of their states

Therefore: 1 vote/state

The Articles of Confederation created a confederation within the United States

NATIONAL GOVT: Declare war Make peace Sign treaties Borrow money Coin Money Deal with Natives Postal Service

BUT, they have no executive, therefore no way to enforce it!

1779 – 12 states had approved Articles MD did not – b/c of

land claims Why was MD so

afraid of Western land claims?

Solution: land is property of United States

Passed in 1781

Land Ordinance of 1785 Established a plan for

surveying land Northwest Ordinance

of 1787 Decided:

Government in the West How to elect a

temporary govt. How to apply for

statehood Who did it overlook?

The United States in 1787This map shows the extent of American westward settlement in 1787 and the limits placed on that settlement by French and Spanish claims west of the Mississippi and in Florida. Plans for the creation of three to five states in the Northwest territory were approved by Congress in 1787, ensuring that the settlers in this region would enjoy the same political rights as the citizens of the original thirteen states.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

The Northwest Territory, 1785-1787The Ordinance of 1785 provided for surveying land into townships of thirty-six sections, each supporting four families on 160-acre plots (approximately twenty-five people per square mile). In 1787 the Northwest Ordinance stipulated that states would ultimately be created in the region. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

The Limits of Limited Government:1. No common currency or banking laws

2. Unable to settle disputes over commerce between states

3. Unable to have stable govt. funding or to collect taxes

4. Unanimous decisions necessary to amend (Rhode Island creates problems!!!)

5. Unable to deal with foreign powers, i.e. N. African Pirates

6. Weak army and navy

7. Unable to respond to Shay’s rebellion

Political and Economic1. States are unbalanced politically in regards to population2. War debt 3. Continental Currency is worthless4. No trade regulations, taxes, or tariffs

Borrowers vs. Lenders1. Bankruptcies increasing2. High taxes3. Cheap currency lowers debt, hurts banks

Foreign Relations1. Spain menaces borders2. France demands repayment3. Navigation Acts still a problem4. N. African Piracy a growing problem