Chapter 9 Part 1 Notes VERY IMPORTANT PP. 166-176 to HORRID

Chapter 9 Part 1 Notes ****VERY IMPORTANT*** PP. 166-176 TO “HORRID”

THE CONFEDERATION AND THE CONSTITUTION 1776 – 1790 “The example of changing the Constitution by assembling the wise men of the state, instead of assembling armies, will be worth as much to the world as the former examples we have given it.” Thomas Jefferson (who was not present at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 ) Big Ideas: (for all of Chapter 9) -Does the experience of the American Revolution make America more democratic? - What are the characteristics of the new State Constitutions? - How does the end of the Revolution affect Women, Blacks, and Native Americans? - What are the characteristics of the American Government under the Articles of Confederation and why the change to the Constitution? - What are the specific weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation & How, specifically, do these weaknesses appear during and after the War, and how does this lead to the Constitutional Convention in 1787? - What economic conditions, specifically cause many to question the effectiveness of the Articles? - What are the issues for the supporters and those that oppose the Constitution? -How does Compromise appear at the Constitutional Convention? - Who were the main actors at the Constitutional Convention, their ideas, and how do they support or oppose the ratification? - What are the Federalist Papers? Who wrote them? What ideas included in #s 10 and #51 stand out? Why? - Describe the ratification process and the main issues for both the Federalists and Anti-Federalists---why do the Federalists prevail?

Blue Pages –Building the New Nation pp164-65

By 1783 Americans had won their freedom—Now they had to build they’re COUNTRY.

They were blessed with: BUT -a vast and fertile land -NO past country had EVER attempted a republic on such a vast scale -a colonial legacy of self-rule - There was NO guarantee that 13 rebellious colonies would stay together -There was NO guarantee that they could expand their democracy

WHAT HAD TO BE DONE:

- New Institutions had to be created - New habits of thought had to be cultivated

WHO COULD PREDICT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

WOULD THE NEW AMERICAN EXPERIMENT IN GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE SUCCEED?

-The National Government under the Articles of Confederation was “feeble” (inadequate= weak) - In just 10 years after the Revolutionary War---THE ARTICLES ARE REPLACED BY THE CONSTITUTION***

BUT—even as the Constitution is adopted –IT DOES NOT STOP THE DEBATE OVER: WHAT FORM SHOULD THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TAKE?

MAJOR QUESTIONS THAT LINGER?

? Would the president, Congress, or the Courts be the dominant branch of Government? ? What should be the proper division of authority between the Federal Government and the States? ? How could the rights of individuals be protected against a potentially powerful government? ? What economic policies would best serve the infant republic? ? How should the nation defend itself against foreign foes? ? What principles should guide foreign policy? ? Was America a nation at all, or was it merely a geographic expression, destined to splinter into several bitterly quarreling sections (SECTIONALISM), as had happened to so many other countries? THE CRITICAL ERA***GEORGE WASHINGTON’S AND JOHN ADAMS PRESIDENCIES—(1789-1801)

After a shaky start under GW and John Adams in the 1790s -Foreign Troubles (French Revolution, British presence on the frontier, Spain’s troubles on the Frontier, trouble with Native Americans…) - Domestic crises ( Bill of Rights created, Hamilton v. Jefferson, creation of Political Parties, Alien and Sedition Acts, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions that creates the Nullification principle—States Rights)

BUT IT SURVIVES---AND GETS STRONGER WITH EACH CRISES AND TIME---A STABLE FORCE GUIDES US---POWER TO THE PEOPLE---AND A FLEXIBLE CONSTITUTION

NOTES- INTRO:

“The American Revolution was not a revolution in the sense of a radical or total change. It did not suddenly and violently overturn the entire political and social framework, as later occurred in the French, Haitian, or Russian revolutions. WHAT HAPPENED was ACCELERATED EVOLUTION rather than outright revolution.” TEXT p.166***

Change does come however--- social customs, political institutions, and ideas about society, government, gender and racial roles change to some extent more for some less for others…the IDEAS though linger----New Patriot elites emerge and more “egalitarian” (look up  ) ideas begin to sweep across America. THE PURSUIT OF EQUALITY “ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.” These 5 words are burned into our soul as Americans and certainly influences the world--- France, Haiti, Latin America, and on and on…. And our own nation to the Civil War , the 13th-14th and 15th Amendments during Reconstruction after, and beyond into the Civil Rights movements of the 1950s and 60s ---as well as Seneca Falls in 1848 and the Declaration of Sentiments (Women’s Rights Movement) which stated, “All men and WOMEN are created EQUAL,” TO THE 19TH AMENDMENT IN 1920 which gives women the right to vote, to Betty Freidan’s Book published in the late 1950s, The Feminist Mystique,” which begins the modern Feminist movement to Title IX of the Education Amendments in the early 70s--- Even to Cesar Chavez in California or La Raza Unida inTexas or to Japanese American interned in Concentration Camps during WWII or The Red Power Movement beginning in the early 1970s at Alcatraz Island or at Wounded Knee v. the FBI, or to the Stonewall Rebellion in 1969 and the massive LGBT Parades continuing today.

EQUALITY WAS EVERYWHERE---BUT---WHEN IS IT NOT, FROM THIS POINT FORWARD? Or EVEN EARLIER?

Remember that previous to the American Revolution---The 13 colonies all had representative assemblies and believed that they ALL possessed the “rights of Englishmen.” The influence of the Great Awakening—George Whitefield and the Enlightenment (John Locke’s Tabula Rasa—“blank slate”) encouraged the belief in Individual freedom…. As well as no Hereditary Aristocracy, 40% could vote---for white men it seemed as if there was unlimited opportunity for advancement—a “meritocracy” ---Paine discusses an “ultrademocratic” environment, without corruption of a Monarchy or political parties—which do not exist in America at this time….

THE DEFINITION OF “EQUALITY” –“LIBERTY”---“RIGHTS” --- “INDIVIDUALISM” ---evolves for sure---and differs for groups over time---make sure to consider what these mean at the end of the revolution and how they change over time?

Remember that when the 2nd Continental Congress Declares Independence---They call on each colony—now states---13—to CREATE NEW STATE CONSTITUTIONS! AND THE 2nd CC ADOPTs THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION AS OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, although not fully approved for 6 years, 1781, due to disagreements over WESTERN LAND CLAIMS. AS Sate Governments create Constitutions most states reduced property qualifications for voting, expanding the white man’s advantage---even NJ allowed Women to vote until 1807 , Trade Organizations are created (the early forms of labor unions) Primogeniture laws (eldest son inherits everything by law) are ended in all states,

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE –All Southern States end the “Establishment” of the Anglican Church---TJeff writes Virginia’s Statute of Religious Freedom, in 1777—which according to James Madison, “extinguished forever the (idea) of making laws to (control) men’s minds,” Jefferson’s purpose was to eradicate every trace of aristocratic privilege hidden in Virginia’s laws---passed in 1786 to provide for, “the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience.”

“…That the impious presumption of legislators… who have assumed dominion over the faith of others… has established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world; the opinions of men are not the object of civil government…THE TRUTH IS GREAT AND WILL PREVAIL IF LEFT TO ITSELF.” Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom

The Congregational Church continued to be established in some New England States… but not for long 

SLAVERY faced a stiff test as well—THE FIRST ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY IN AMERICAN HISTORY IS FORMED BY PHILADELPHIA QUAKERS IN 1775—(ABIGAIL ADAMS SPOKE AGAINST IT AS WELL IN HER LETTERS TO HER HUSBAND) ALL NORTHERN STATES EITHER ENDED SLAVERY OR PASSED LAWS TO GRADUALLY EMANCIPATE SLAVES AFTER 1776 -MANY INDIVIDUALS NORTH AND SOUTH MOTIVATED BY THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DECLARATION AND THE SPIRIT OF THE REVOLUTION ---VOLUNTARILY FREED THEIR SLAVES—CALLED “MANUMISSION”---GW ON HIS DEATH FREES ALL OF HIS SLAVES---THE ONLY FOUNDING FATHER TO DO SO --- NO STATES SOUTH OF PENNSYLVANIA HOWEVER FREE THEIR SLAVES STATEWIDE---AND LAWS DO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE GROWING POPULATION OF FREE BLACKS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH---MASSACHUSETTS IS THE FIRST STATE WITH “SEGREGATION LAWS” IN AMERICA—NOT FOR SCHOOLS BUT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION---THESE END BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR---BUT STILL WERE PASSED EARLY ON AFTER THEY END SLAVERY. FREED BLACKS COULD BE BARRED FROM PURCHASING PROPERTY, HOLDING CERTAIN JOBS, AND IN SOME CASES ENTERING THEIR CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, INTER-RACIAL MARRIAGE WAS ALSO FORBIDDEN----UNDERSTAND MANY OF THESE LAWS HOWVER WERE LOCAL AND NOT STATE BASED AND VARIED GREATLY IN SOME NORTHERN CITIES AND/COUNTIES****EXTRA CREDIT HERE FOR DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF SEGREGATION LAWS IN NORTHERN PLACES BETWEEN 1776 AND 1820 ***  ALSO SEE STORY OF “MUMBET FREEMAN” –IN THE TEXT—HER PORTRAIT IS ON THE 2ND PAGE OF THE CHAPTER ****

The Abolitionist Movement (to abolish slavery) does not have a strong start---primarily due to the political expediency of the Founding Fathers---they wished to keep the shaky “Confederacy” of States together rather than take on this controversial issue---James Madison, in 1787 (at the Constitutional Convention)---who is later known as the, “Father of the Constitution,” states, “as great as the evil of slavery is---a dismemberment of the union would be worse.” Nearly a century later—in 1860 the issue of expansion of SLAVERY DOES split the union in 1860.

The extension of the doctrine of equality did not extend to women (see my piece on 3 outspoken women during this era) … Some women did serve in the military disguised as men, and New Jersey’s New Constitution does allow women to vote until 1807—several women did write and speak for equality—Abigail Adams doc---Early American Feminists doc-- ******REPUBLICAN MOTHERHOOD—“civic virtue” is central to the republican ideology, the notion that democracy depended on the unselfish commitment of each citizen to the public good. There is no one better than MOTHERS to cultivate the habits of a virtuous citizenry---their children and husbands—who else should society entrust with the MORAL EDUCATION OF THEIR YOUTH. The selfless dedication of the mother to her family is seen as the very model of “republican” behavior. ----REPUBLICAN MOTHERHOOD—elevates women to the prestigious role as the special keepers of the NATION’S CONSCIENCE---due to this deeply and widely held idea---- WOMEN’S EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES EXPANDED---REPUBLICAN MOTHERS NOW BORE A CRUCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE NATION. CONSTITUTION MAKING IN THE STATES

The 2nd CC calls on ALL STATES to draft NEW CONSTITUTIONS--***** - Sovereignty (power) rests with the PEOPLE—“Popular Sovereignty” - Conn and RI simply re-touched their constitutions— -Massachusetts***with John Adams help***contributed the most innovative idea—CALLING A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO DRAFT ITS CONSTITUTION—and THEN SUBMITTED THE CONSTITUTION DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE FOR A VOTE**** RATIFICATION IN 1780—The Mass. Const. COULD ONLY BE CHANGED BY ANOTHER SPECIALLY CALLED CONVENTION---*****Many of the features of this Constitution were to found in our later Constitution of the USA.

Features in common among ALL NEW STATE CONSITUTIONS: (WHICH INFLUENCES OUR NATIONAL CONSTITUTION LATER)****

- The British tradition was NOT A WRITTEN DOCUMENT—AMERICA INVENTS SOMETHING DIFFERENT  - CONSTITUTIONS IN AMERICA WERE CONTRACTS—That defined the powers of Government—CONTRACTS WITH THE PEOPLE (Social Contract Theory) - Because the State Constitutions were WRITTEN they represented a FUNDAMENTAL LAW—SUPERIOR***TO ORDINARY LEGISLATION**** - MOST OF THE STATE CONST.’S CALLED FOR ANNUAL ELECTIONS OF LEGISLATORS (required them to be responsive to their constituents) -ALL deliberately created WEAK EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES (suspected too much power in governments hands due to their experience with GB…) - THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WAS STRONGEST (MOST DEMOCRATIC BRANCH) -THE “BACKCOUNTRY” RESIDENTS WERE BETTER REPRESENTED*** (MOST STATE CAPITALS MOVED WEST)—IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND GEORGIA CAPITALS MOVED WEST***

ECONOMIC CROSSCURRENTS

WAR DOES SOME GOOD BUT--- CAUSES HAVOC ECONOMICALLY***

GOOD: -States seized control of former British owned lands—many large “loyalist landholdings were split into smaller farms, thus accelerating the spread of economic democracy… - THERE WERE NO VIOLENT EXCESSES AS in THE FRENCH REVOLUTION***because cheap land was readily available. THE USA AN ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY WITH TONS OF OPPORTUNITY---PRODUCES POLITICAL DEMOCRACY - Due to the WAR---American Manufacturing gets a boost---goods were cut off AND BOYCOTTS PREVENTED GOODS COMING FROM BRITAIN--- during the WAR so Americans had to MANUFACTURE REPLACEMENT GOODS.

HAVOC: -TRADE WITH BRITAIN, A HUGE MARKET BEFORE THE WAR WAS CUT OFF*** - AMERICAN SHIPS NOW BARRED FROM BRITISH COLONIES (WEST INDIES, ETC) -ENUMERATED GOODS, LIKE TOBACCO, LOST THEIR PRIVILEGED AND GUARANTEED MARKETS -WAR SPAWNS SPECULATION AND PROFITEERING—INFLATION WAS AS HIGH AS 300%***CONTINENTAL DOLLAR ALMOST WORTHLESS***THE NATIONAL UNICAMERAL CONGRESS UNDER THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION HAD NO POWER TO REGULATE THE ECONOMY****STATES PRINT WORTHLESS PAPER $$$---GOOD FOR DEBTORS BAD FOR CREDITORS*** -The Average Citizen was WORSE OFF AFTER THE WAR THAN BEFORE****

THE CONTROVERSY THAT LED TO THE WAR HAD LEFT A LEGACY OF DISTRUST OF TAXESAND ENCOURAGED A DISRESPECT FOR LAWS IN GENERAL***

HOW DOES AMERICA ADJUST? -NEW COMMERCIAL OUTLETS ( LIKE THE CHINESE TRADE)***

A SHAKY START TOWARDS UNION

THE REVOLUTION HAD CREATED A NECESSITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE AND OPERATE A NEW NATIONAL GOVERNMENT… IT IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO SET UP A NEW TYPE OF GOVERNMENT***AND THE ATMOSPHERE ---people like Thomas Paine preaching “ultrademocratic” ideas like “natural rights” and to consistently question ALL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY—“whiggishness” led to massive disunity*** The war had led to a unity of convenience---to defeat a common enemy***AFTER THE WAR WAS OVER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE “TEMPORARY UNITY OF CONVENIENCE?”

SHORTLY AFTER THE WAR, BY 1786, ECONOMIC DEPRESSION HITS AMERICA****

The British begin to “dump goods” at below value prices in an attempt to hurt American Manufacturing***

POSITIVES: -The 13 States were alike in Government Structure. -They functioned under similar Constitutions -The Americans had a rich Political Heritage of Self-Rule (partly a British heritage and partly their own construction) - The American were blessed with GREAT POLITICAL LEADERS—GW, John Adams, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton ---to name a few*** CREATING A CONFEDERATION

The 2nd CC was merely a collection of ambassadors from 13 INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES.

THE UNICAMERAL NATIONAL GOV’T –2ND CC –was without much Constitutional Authority

The 2nd CC does what it can: - It asserts its authority with the Military and in Foreign Policy****

IN MOST CASES THE 13 STATES WERE SOVEREIGN*** -THEY COIN MONEY -RAISED ARMIES AND NAVIES - PASS TARIFFS (TAXES ON IMPORTED GOODS –EVEN FROM OTHER STATES) - THEY EVEN RATIFY TREATIES WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES

THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION*** are adopted by the 2nd cc in 1777 after the battle of Saratoga so as to convince France that America had a genuine government—BUT WERE NOT APPROVED (RATIFIED UNTIL 1781---LESS THAN 8 MONTHS BEFORE YORKTOWN (LAST MAJOR BATTLE OF THE WAR)

***THE DISPUTE OVER WESTERN LANDS***SEE MAP IN TEXT (WESTERN LAND CESSIONS TO THE USA)***

6 States had no Western Land Holdings---7 were favored with enormous acreage.

The 6 landless States argued that the 7 with land would not have had it not been for ALL THE STATES FIGHTING FOR IT*** AND---the 7 States with land could sell some of their land to pay off debts incurred during the WAR –THE OTHER 6 COULD NOT---and would have to TAX THEIR RESIDENTS TO PAY OFF THEIR DEBT***

SO WHY NOT TURN ALL LAND OVER TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT? SO THEY WOULD ALL BENEFIT????

According to the RULES UNDER THE ARTICLES---UNANIMOUS APPROVAL WAS REQUIRED TO SETTLE THE DISPUTE***

TO GAIN APPROVAL---CONGRESS PROMISES TO DISPOSE OF THESE LANDS FOR ALL’S BENEFIT**** IT ALSO AGREED TO CREATE “NEW STATES” NOT COLONIES****HUGE*** EACH “NEW STATE” WOULD ENTER INTO THE “UNION” ON A COMPLETELY EQUAL BASIS***REVOLUTIONARY FOR THE TIMES****(A PRECEDENT IN ANTI-COLONIALISM***) These ideas were passed by the unicameral congress under the Articles of Confederation WITH TWO (2) MASSIVELY SIGNIFICANT ACTS/BILLS***THE LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785 & THE NW ORDINANCE OF 1787**** These lands proved to be a invaluable bond for the National Government---the Individual States had thrown their future into a pot for ALL*** ALL WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE LAND SALES---

AN ARMY OF WESTWARD-MOVING PIONEERS PURCHASED THEIR FARMS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (not states) and THEY LEARN TO LOOK TOWARDS THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AS THE “BOSS.”

THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION: AMERICA’S FIRST CONSTITUTION

The Articles provided for a “loose league of friendship.”

13 INDEPENDENT STATES WERE LINKED TOGETHER TO DEAL WITH COMMON PROBLEMS (WAR)

A UNICAMERAL CONGRESS WAS THE CHIEF AGENCY OF GOVERNMENT***

(NO ONE WANTED A MASSIVE AND POWERFUL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AFTER DEALING WITH GB)****

-EACH STATE HAD 1 VOTE---meaning RI with 68,000 people had as much power politically as Virginia with 10X as many people***

-All “important” bills needed 9 of 13 States approval***(a supermajority)

- ANY Amendment (change) REQUIRED ALL 13 STATES APPROVAL

- The NATIONAL UNICAMERAL CONGRESS WAS CREATED TO BE INTENTIONALLY WEAK**** TWO (2) HANDICAPS WERE “CRITICAL”*** 1- THEY HAD NO POWER TO REGULATE COMMERCE (BUSINESS) 2 – CONGRESS HAD NO POWER TO TAX (OR RAISE $$$)

THE “REQUISTION SYSTEM”**** WAS ESTABLISHED –basically, Congress had to BEG FOR $$$ FROM THE STATES****IT ESTABLISHED A “TAX QUOTA” FOR EACH OF THE STATES AND ASKED THEM “PLEASE” TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR FAIR SHARE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS**** ONLY ¼ OR 25% OF THEIR (CONGRESSES “REQUESTS” WERE EVER PAID)*****

THE UNICAMERAL NATIONAL CONGRESS UNDER THE ARTICLES HAD NO POWER TO ENFORCE ANY LAWS AGAINST ANY STATE**** THEY COULD ONLY ASK NICELY AND HOPE *****

“TROUBLED TIMES DEMANDED NOT A LOOSE CONFEDERATION---BUT--- A TIGHTLY KNIT FEDERATION***THIS WOULD INVOLVE THE STATES YIELDING THEIR SOVEREIGNTY TO A NEW NATIONAL “FEDERAL” STYLE GOVERNMENT (THE CONSTITUTION LATER) thus leaving the states to control more local issues***

The Articles are a significant “stepping stone” to our Constitution*** in that they kept alive the HOPE OF UNION*** and held the STATES TOGETHER until it was time for the establishment of a stronger, Federal Union, in the Constitution---AN EVOLUTION--- LANDMARK IN LAND LAWS***(2) LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785 & NW ORDINANCE OF 1787*******

2 HUGELY SIGNIFICANT LAWS ARE PASSED UNDER THE ARTICLES**(SEE ABOVE)

BOTH DEALT WITH AN AREA CALLED “The Old Northwest” the area northwest of the Ohio River, East of the Mississippi River, and South of the Great Lakes*** [map in text]****important to view***

1- THE LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785- -Provided for the survey of the land---to be sold and the proceeds (revenue) from the SALE of this land would be used to help pay off the National Debt*** -It was to be divided into TOWNSHIPS 6 MILES SQUARE---Each to be split into 36 SECTIONS 1 MILE SQUARE*** -****THE PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF THE 16TH SECTION WOULD GO TO PAY FOR FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS*** NOTE: ALTHOUGH THE “SOUTHWEST ORDINANCE” IS PASSED IN 1791---AND IS VERY SIMILAR---FRAUD WAS RAMPANT IN THIS AREA****

2- ************THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787************************** -This law related to the GOVERNANCE OF THE AREA - “TEMPORARY TUTELAGE”**** THE TERRITORY SYSTEM***** -AN EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS FOR A TERRITORY BECOMING A STATE**** DURING THIS “TERRITORY” PERIOD---THE AREA WOULD BE SUBORDINATE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT*** WHEN A TERRITORY HAD 60,000 INHABITANTS IT MIGHT BE ADMITTED AS A STATE****WITH ALL OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE ORIGINAL 13****

-AND IT FORBADE SLAVERY ANYWHERE IN THE “OLD NW”****** NOTE: SLAVERY IS NOT FORBIDDEN HOWEVER IN THE “SOUTHWEST” ORDINANCE*****

THIS IDEA WORKS SO WELL IT IS TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW CONSTITUTION AND IS HOW ALL 50 STATES COME INTO THE UNION---“ON AN EQUAL BASIS AS ALL OTHERS” ---NO COLONIES FOR US----??? OR IS THERE IN OUR FUTURE????

THE WORLD’S UGLY DUCKLING (SEE MAP IN TEXT)****

***FOREIGN POLICY, ESPECIALLY WITH GB, REMAINED TROUBLED DURING THE RULE OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (AND EVEN THE EARLY REPUBLIC UNDER THE CONSTITUTION) 

******BRITAIN DID NOT SEND AN “AMBASSADOR” TO THE USA FOR 8 YEARS, IT DECLINED TO MAKE AN COMMERCIAL TREATIES, OR REPEAL ITS ANCIENT NAVIGATION LAWS---MANY IN BRITAIN IT WOULD JUST BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE AMERICA BECAME ITS POSESSION AGAIN*****

BRITISH OFFICIALS ATTEMPTED TO PLOT REBELLIONS IN VERMONT, WITH THE NATIVE AMERICANS ACROSS THE FRONTIER (WHERE THEY STILL HAD TROOPS ON OUR *USA’S * SOIL) “TO MAINTAIN THEIR LUCRATIVE FUR TRADE ONLY” SURE----- THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY WOULD PULL THEIR TROOPS OUT WHEN WE COMPLIED WITH OUR PART OF THE TREATY OF PARIS, 1783---TO PAY BACK OUR DEBTS AND RETURN LAND TO LOYALISTS****BUT THEY REALLY WANTED TO CURRY FAVOR WITH THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO KEEP OUR EXPANISON IN CHECK AND DOMINATE THE LUCRATIVE FUR TRADE WITH THE INDIANS**** (AND TO PROTECT CANADA FROM INVASION, SUPPOSEDLY)

CONGRESS, REMEMBER, HAD NO POWER UNDER THE ARTICLES TO DO ANYTHING ECONOMIC TO RETALIATE AGAINST BRITAIN**** SPAIN- was openly unfriendly---even though they were an ally of ours during the American Revolution***

It controlled New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi River---where all produce from the newly settled areas of Kentucky and Tennessee were floated to be sold on the World Market.***

In 1784—Spain closed the port of New Orleans to American Shipping****threatening the “West” with economic strangulation****

Spain, also, claimed a large area North of the Gulf of Mexico, including Florida….granted to the USA in the Treaty of Paris, 1783***

Spain, held a fort at Natchez (future Mississippi) and schemed with Native Americans to stop the expansion along the North Carolina (State of Franklin***XC) South Carolina, and Georgia Borders****

Spain and Great Britain working with the Native Americans prevented the USA from effective control of about ½ of its total territory (in the WEST)*****

France-demanded repayment of LOANS made during the American Revolution*** and restricted trade with their West Indian Islands and America***huge***

NORTH AFRICA—THE “BARBARY STATES” – PIRATES—ATTACKED AMERICAN SHIPPING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA*** THE “DEY OF ALGEIRS” –TOOK AMERICAN SHIPS AND SOLD THE CREW AS SLAVES****AND KEPT THE CARGO*** The British had PURCHASED PROTECTION*** BUT THIS DID NOT APPLY ANYMORE NOW THAT WE WERE INDEPENDENT**** AMERICA (AT THIS TIME, JUST WAIT) WAS TOO WEAK AND POOR TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT***(THIS WILL CHANGE SOON)

SOME AMERICANS FELT THAT THESE INSULTS WERE OK??? DUE TO THE FACT THAT MAYBE, PERHAPS, THESE INSULTS WOULD MOTIVATE AMERICAN LEADERS TO FRAME A NEW NATIONAL GOV’T ---ONE CLEARLY MORE POWERFUL ---ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH THE NEW ISSUES THAT AROSE ONCE THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR WAS OVER*** JOHN JAY, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JAMES MADISON, AND OF COURSE, GEORGE WASHINGTON---WOULD SOON HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS— BUT IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF WORK---AND SOME SHOCKING EVENTS---TO CHANGE PEOPLES ATTITUDES about a strong national central government (The Constitution) 