Transcript Chapter 3
Politics of the American Founding Chapter 3 In this chapter we will learn about • The battle of colonial powers for control of America • The process of British settlement and colonization • The British colonists’ break with England and the American Revolution • The Articles of Confederation and its shortcomings • The Constitutional Convention • The ratification of the United States Constitution • The role of everyday citizens in the founding of the United States • Similarities and differences between ideological debates then and now The first battles for America • Spain initially tried to colonize and have complete control of America but lost control because of weakening military, an ailing economy, and decreasing population • The British colonists also had to battle with Native Americans and the French in the French and Indian War • After this, England takes control of the New World The English settlers Colonists left England for many reasons: • To escape feudalism and for the opportunity to own land • For economic opportunities • To practice religion freely Political participation in the colonies • Property qualifications for voting were less restrictive than in England because many more people owned land. More More Political participation in the colonies • Religious qualifications for voting were much more restrictive than property qualifications. • Gender—women weren’t officially excluded from voting until the Revolution; most could vote if they owned property and there were no males in the household. Additionally, many widows could vote. Voting qualifications #1 #2 Land Owning #3 Can be woman if she owns land Conflict between England and the colonies Why England believed it was right • Wanted colonists to help pay for the French and Indian War • Colonists rejected offers of representation in Parliament • England funded the venture of sending them to the New World yet was faced with numerous complaints Why the colonists believed they were right • Unfair taxation, such as the Sugar and Tea Acts • Tyrannical monarch ignored colonists’ civil liberties • Colonists believed in popular sovereignty • Lack of oversight and management The Declaration of Independence • The document that essentially informed England that the colonists no longer accepted England’s authority of them any more • Jefferson was influenced by Locke’s belief in the social contract as well as natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property. • The Declaration listed numerous complaints and informed the King that the colonies were no longer part of England. it’s not you, it’s me... The Declaration of Independence • Jefferson had to make the case why this revolution was just, but others were not. • Many colonists wanted to remain loyal to England. Life after the Revolution • African Americans – Still remained enslaved in the South – Slave trade continued • Native Americans – Continued to lose land • Women – Lost the ability to vote and also lost the previous limited opportunities to participate in politics The Articles of Confederation • The first Constitution of the United States • Established a “firm league of friendship” • Created a confederacy giving power to the states • Federal government had few powers and limited ability to carry out those powers Weak Central Government Strong State Governments Provisions in the Articles • A national government with a Congress empowered to make peace, coin money, appoint officers for an army, control the post office, and negotiate with Indian tribes Provisions in the Articles cont. • One vote in the Continental Congress for each state regardless of size • The vote of nine states to pass any measure; amendments had to be unanimous • Delegates selected to the Congress by their respective state legislatures • Because of the fear of a tyrannical ruler, no executive was created and the national government was quite weak. Problems with the Articles • No executive to administer • No power to tax without states’ consent, so it was difficult to do anything like establish a national army without money • Without money, it would be difficult for the new nation to defend itself from future attacks by any peoples trying to regain power in the New World. Weapons and army supplies cost money. Problems with the Articles • No authority to regulate commerce; trade between states became chaotic because states were using their own money. Continental dollars were worth nothing. • Congress could pass laws but had little power to execute or enforce them. The Constitutional Convention • Described as “an assembly of demigods” • Called to revise the Articles of Confederation after concern over Shays’s Rebellion. It had become abundantly clear that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate. • Meetings were held in secret • Created a whole new government • Major debate remained over how much power the federal government should have Two competing plans for the Constitution The Virginia Plan • • • • The New Jersey Plan Bicameral legislature • Unicameral legislature • Equal representation in Representation in both both chambers chambers based on population • Representatives elected by state legislatures One house elected by the people; one house elected • Multi-person executive by state legislatures • Favored by small states Single executive chosen by Congress • Favored by large states Two competing plans for the Constitution The Great Compromise • Bicameral legislature – House of Representatives based on population and chosen by the people – Senate based on equal representation and chosen by the state legislatures • Single executive chosen by the Electoral College • Federal court system • Each states has its own legislature and court system Other compromises • Bill of Rights: – Many historians contend that it was written only to appease the Anti-Federalists. – Most Federalists didn’t even believe it was necessary. – This was a list of ten things the government could not do. Written to protect citizens’ individual rights. • Three-fifths Compromise: – Counted three-fifths of a state’s slave population for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives. Each slave counted as threefifths of a person The battle over ratification Federalists • Supported ratification of the Constitution • Wanted strong central government • Concerned about security and order • E.g., Madison, Hamilton, Jay Anti-Federalists • Opposed ratification of the Constitution • Wanted states to have power over the federal government • Corruption best kept in check at the local level • E.g., Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry The Federalist Papers • Written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay under the pen name Publius • Called for ratification of the Constitution • Published in New York papers to persuade legislators to ratify the Constitution • Among the best known: Federalist Nos. 10, 51, and 78 Federalist No. 10 • Madison warned against dangers of factions • The causes of factions cannot be controlled (that infringes on liberty); must control the effects of factions • Effects of factions could best be controlled by a republic Federalist No. 10, cont’d. A republic could best control factions: • Representation would dilute the effects of factions • A large territory would make it difficult for one faction to become a majority • In a large territory, it would be difficult for people who shared common interests to find each other Ratification of the Constitution • Required support of nine of the thirteen state legislatures • Small states were quick to support the Constitution because of the inclusion of the Senate • Eventually all thirteen states ratified it (Rhode Island the last in 1790) • Very heated political battles regarding the Constitution. It was a hard won victory to get it passed. The citizens and the founding • Competing elites – Elites weren’t united in their views about a new government. They had very diverse opinions regarding the Constitution. • The rise of the “ordinary” citizen – Development of citizenship as we know it today. Although citizens had fewer rights than they do today, the new government laid the ground work for the individual rights and freedoms enjoyed today. Three elements of citizenship • Citizenship should rest on consent. • There should not be grades or levels of citizenship. • Citizenship should confer equal rights on all citizens.