Era of ConstitutionalismEra of Constitutionalism

Post-Revolution Social Post-Revolution Social ChangesChanges

State ConstitutionsState Constitutions

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

SuccessesSuccesses

FailuresFailures

Post-Revolution Social Post-Revolution Social ChangesChanges• Ideas of Liberty and EqualityIdeas of Liberty and Equality

• Against social hierarchies: end of Against social hierarchies: end of primogenitor,primogenitor,– Property qualifications to vote loweredProperty qualifications to vote lowered

• Most states end official church sponsorshipMost states end official church sponsorship

• African Americans: start of AbolitionismAfrican Americans: start of Abolitionism– Quakers, first abolitionist groupsQuakers, first abolitionist groups– By 1800 northern states abolished slaveryBy 1800 northern states abolished slavery– Many prominent men (N&S) manumit their slavesMany prominent men (N&S) manumit their slaves

• Women enjoyed more freedom:Women enjoyed more freedom:– Marriage, education Marriage, education

State Constitutions: after State Constitutions: after 17761776• WrittenWritten

• Bill of Rights: free press, protection ofBill of Rights: free press, protection of– Private property, arms, search and seizurePrivate property, arms, search and seizure

• Strong legislative branch: bicameralStrong legislative branch: bicameral

• Weak executive: Weak executive:

• Three branches: no independent Three branches: no independent judiciaryjudiciary

• Short termsShort terms

• Property qualifications to voteProperty qualifications to vote

• Separation of church and statesSeparation of church and states

Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation 17761776• John Dickinson: long time to ratifyJohn Dickinson: long time to ratify

• A Confederacy of equal statesA Confederacy of equal states

• Each of 13 states had one voteEach of 13 states had one vote

• 2 to 7 delegates each state: I year 2 to 7 delegates each state: I year termterm

• 9/12 to pass a law9/12 to pass a law

• 12/12 to add an amendment12/12 to add an amendment

• No executive, No judiciaryNo executive, No judiciary

• No power to tax, commerce, or tradeNo power to tax, commerce, or trade

Success under the ArticlesSuccess under the Articles

• Won the WarWon the War

• Land Ordinance of 1785: states gave upLand Ordinance of 1785: states gave up– Their western claims. Divide 160 million acresTheir western claims. Divide 160 million acres– Into 640 acre units. Sold $1 per acre. (p170)Into 640 acre units. Sold $1 per acre. (p170)

• Northwest Ordinance of 1787: Northwest Ordinance of 1787: – Step by step process for statehood.Step by step process for statehood.– Pop of 5,000 a territory; 30,000 a state Pop of 5,000 a territory; 30,000 a state – Slavery prohibited above Ohio River. Slavery prohibited above Ohio River.

• Civilian Leadership: Newburgh ConspiracyCivilian Leadership: Newburgh Conspiracy– GW refuses to be a dictator. GW refuses to be a dictator.

Failures under the ArticlesFailures under the Articles

• Could not pay debts: foreign & domesticCould not pay debts: foreign & domestic• Could not pay veteransCould not pay veterans• Could not regulate trade, commerceCould not regulate trade, commerce• Each state was printing moneyEach state was printing money• Could not enforce its lawsCould not enforce its laws

– No national court system to settle interstate No national court system to settle interstate disputesdisputes

• Could not taxCould not tax• Failure of Hamilton’s 5% tariff plan.Failure of Hamilton’s 5% tariff plan.• America felt rudderlessAmerica felt rudderless