UNIT TWO - AMERICAN REVOLUTION - CONSTITUTION
I.
The colonies in 1763
A.
the French and Indian War had been “more a solvent than a cement” - Morison
1.
victory was complete in Europe - thus England’s attention no longer diverted
2.
colonies become more than just a mercantilistic economic benefit - they test the power
of political control
B.
“The colonists argued and then fought not to obtain freedom, but to confirm the freedom they already had or
claimed” - Morison
C.
some say the American Revolution should be called the British Revolution because of their change in
colonial policy
D.
colonist’s view in 1763
1.
salutary neglect had resulted in two basic assumptions
a.
colonists viewed Parliament as supreme in regulating foreign trade
b.
colonists believed themselves self-governing in all other ways
2.
French and Indian War had been fought to eliminated the French impediment to westward
expansion - thus the colonists were expansionistic and optimistic
3.
with France removed, the colonists saw less need for British presence
4.
new colonial leadership had emerged as a result of the French and Indian War - Patrick
Henry, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Otis, John and Sam Adams, John
Hancock - “Mr. Cushing I knew, and Mr., Hancock I knew; but where the devil this brace of
Adamses come from, I know not. “ Governor Shirley
5.
colonists strongly believed in their rights as Englishmen
6.
colonists believed they were the major reason for victory in the French and Indian War
E.
despite this, “there was no American nationalism” in 1763
F.
the English view of the colonists
1.
colonists had given little aid during the war
2.
Pennsylvania and New England had openly traded with the enemy
3.
Wolfe on the colonists - “The dirtiest, most contemptible dogs you can conceive..” - this was
the official view transmitted to London
4.
ineffective administration both in customs collections and in other laws
5.
the feeling that the colonists had been too long indulged
6.
colonists out of step with mercantile philosophy
II. Post-war problems
A.
George III
1.
twenty-two, insecure, and at times insane - particularly later in life
2.
yet he was determined to rule (Barck) - “I know I am doing my duty and therefore I can never
wish to retract...I will rather risk my crown than to do what I think personally disgraceful, and
whilst I have no wish but for the good and prosperity of my country, it is impossible that the
nation shall not stand by me; if they will not, they shall have another king..”
3.
the result was a quick turnover in officials
4.
(Garraty) - “George I and George II were not indifferent to national affairs and George III was not a
tyrant. as once was commonly believed, but the first two were stupid and the third at best an inept
politician.”
B.
debt doubles as a result of F & I War - 75m pounds to 145m pounds
1.
encouragement of autonomy by requisition
2.
tax burdens were high in England and both the common man and the leadership thought it
fair that the colonies should help defray the cost of their defense
C.
salutary neglect
1.
in 1763 - colonists were the freest people in the world - thus attempts to regain
2.
administrative control of the government were bound to be resisted
3.
economically - New England was used to doing their own thing - also - discuss lack of respect for
English law generally
D.
Western problems
1.
Indians - Amherst had suggested that free blankets infected with smallpox be distributed to
them - or wild dogs loosed on them
2.
settlement of the Ohio River Valley from Virginia was expected
3.
1763 - Pontiac’s rebellion - 1774 Lord Dunmore’s War
4.
effect on the colonists was that they expected protection from British troops
5.
English inherited the fur trade from the French and the colonists now posed the major threat
to it
III. Colonial disunity in 1763
A.
continued backcountry v east problems
Paxton boys - 1764 - outraged at the lack of protection during Pontiac’s rebellion they massacred
peaceful Conastogas - threatened Moravian Indians who were protected by British troops in
Philadelphia
2.
Franklin and the government make some concessions and they go home
3.
regulators - North Carolina - 1771 - disagreements over taxes and protection with eastern
establishment
B.
varying economic interests - particularly between New England and the South
C.
after 1763 British colonial policy will alienate every group in the colonies until they come to feel that they have
more in common with each other than with England
ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE - From 1763-1776 British attempts to reexert control over the colonies resulted in
organized, violent, successful resistance by the colonists.
1.
D.
what you need to look for
1.
unifying factors
2.
establishment of colonial organizational structures of cooperation
3.
types of successful resistance
################################################################# ###########
I.
Attempts to reexert control over the colonies
A.
Proclamation Act of 1763 1.
prohibited settlement west of the Appalachians - those already there had to move back
2.
actually proposed deforesting a strip of land one mile wide from Maine to Georgia
3.
four purposes
a.
maintain control - geographically restricting the colonies made for easier political control
b.
control of fur trade and land sales were placed directly in the hands of the royal
c.
governor - benefiting the crown rather than the colony
d.
redirection of population to Nova Scotia and Florida where it would be most beneficial in a
mercantilistic sense
1.
coastal markets more easily served by British merchants than inland ones
2.
inland markets might encourage the development of colonial manufacturing
d.
prevention of Indian problems which might add cost
1.
10,000 troops are sent to the colonies - though Amherst requested only 6,500
2.
most quartered in coastal towns
3.
what conclusions can be drawn from this - was the purpose preventionof frontier
conflict or intimidation
4.
colonial reaction relatively mild - why?
a.
they flaunted the law and settled west of the line anyway
b.
viewed as temporary - Washington - “I can never view that proclamation in any other light than
as a temporary expedient to quiet the minds of the Indians..Any person who therefore neglects
the present opportunity of hunting out good lands and,,marking and distinguishing them for their
own will never regain it.”
d.
five years later the line is moved farther west
B.
Sugar or Revenue Act of 1764 (revised the Molasses Act of 1733)
1.
clearly its purpose was to raise money
2.
wording of the Molasses Act 1733 - an act “for better securing and encouraging the trade of
his majesty’s sugar colonies”
3.
wording of the Sugar Act 1764 - “for granting certain duties for defraying the expenses of
defending, protecting, and securing the colonies
4.
Molasses Act yearly customs take was 1900 pounds - administrative cost 7600 pounds estimated yearly cost to England of smuggling - 100,000 pounds
5.
provisions of the act
a.
reduced tariff to 3 pence from six - hopefully it would be cheaper to pay than to bribe
customs officials
b.
emunerated more products that could be sent only to England
c.
smuggling trials moved to admiralty court
1.
tried in Nova Scotia
2.
no juries
3.
had to prove innocence
4.
issuing of writs of assistance (define) - emphasize use as intimidation
6.
colonial protest center on two arguments
a.
taxing v the regulation of trade
b.
internal v external taxation
“colonists always accepted the right of Parliament to regulate trade because it was easier to
ignore than to challenge their right”
7.
pamphlets, protests to the king, mass meetings
a.
utilization of Locke’s theory of taxation without representation
b.
if Parliament can tax our trade why not our land
c.
beginnings of non-importation
d.
British view of undivided sovereignty
Currency Act 1764
1.
prevented colonial assemblies from printing paper money
2.
shortage of currency hurt trade
3.
customs duties had to be paid in specie
Quartering Act of 1765
1.
British troops could be quartered in taverns, barns, inns, uninhabited houses
2.
colonial assemblies had to pay the rent
3.
also had to provide fire, candles, beer, bedding
Stamp Act - 1765
1.
placed a tax on every kind on legal paper, diplomas, licenses, playing cards, newspapers thus it touches everyone in the colonies
2.
it was also internal, direct, and visible - thus it couldn’t be ignored
3.
all violations were to be tried in Admiralty Courts
4.
colonial reaction - Morison - “extraordinary unanimity of thought and actions”
5.
Patrick Henry - Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I his Cromwell - “if this be treason make the
most of it"
6.
in all colonies the act was rendered useless
7.
distributors were harassed into resigning by angry mobs or hired thugs
8.
Loyal Nine grows to Sons of Liberty groups - quickly the upper class seizes the leadership of
these groups - why? - they become, in essence, organized mobs
a.
intimidation amounts to controlled riots
b.
no one is killed but significant property damage - crimes against property not person
c.
John Weber incident
9.
non-importation agreements - designed to put pressure on Parliament through British
merchants
10.
colonial philosophical objections to the Stamp Act
a.
taxation without representation - Locke’s theory of the consent of the governed
b.
virtual v direct representation
1.
relative merits of each
2.
England and the colonists each spoke from their own experience
c.
did the colonists want representation
1.
geographic distance was a problem
2.
they would consistently be outvoted
3.
they probably sought a return to pre-1763 condition
4.
is the debate one of self-interest?
11.
Virginia resolves - colonial assemblies have the sole and exclusive right to lay and collect
taxes on themselves - Britain might have established requisition system allowing the colonies
discretion in how they taxed themselves
12.
Massachusetts Circular Letter - called for a Stamp Act Congress
13.
Stamp Act Congress meets October 1765 - 9 colonies represented - has been called “the first
spontaneous colonial movement”
a.
quickly shelves the idea of representation in Parliament
b.
emphasized the sole and exclusive right to tax themselves
c.
composed largely of conservative upper class
14.
March 4, 1766 the Stamp Act is repealed
15.
the Declaratory Act added - Parliament has the right to bind the colonies in all cases
whatsoever - largely ignored because it was seen as a face saving device
results of the Stamp Act
1.
create a degree of unity
a.
alienated all groups in the colonies
b.
Stamp Act Congress presents a unified front
c.
Circular letters serve to create channels of communication
d.
non-importation agreements become widespread
e.
coordinated activities of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty in different colonies
2.
established the structures for continued agitation
a.
Stamp Act Congress - representative meetings
c.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
b.
Son of Liberty - opens channels of communication
c.
Circular letters - open channels of communication as well
3.
creates the sense that unified, violent action would result in change
a.
violent actions of intimidation were successful
b.
violent response therefore becomes self-sustaining because no negative
consequences are forthcoming
Townshend Acts - 1767
1.
following the repeal of the Stamp Act Britain made no attempt to explore acceptable ways to
tax the colonies
2.
Townshend (Champagne Charlie) - “A statesman who has left nothing but errors to account
for his fame.” - Burke
3.
taunted Grenville in an hour long speech about ineffective rule of the colonies - Grenville
retorts - “You are cowards, you’re afraid on the Americans, you dare not tax America!”
Townshend replies “Fear! Cowards! Dare not tax America! I dare tax America.” Grenville,
“Dare you tax America? I wish to God I could see it!” Townshend, “I will, Iwill.” and he did
4.
the Townshend duties took the colonists distinction of internal/external taxation at face
value
5.
taxed lead, paint, glass, tea
6.
provided for more efficient colonial administration
a. colonial customs headquarters moved to Boston
b.
absentee customs officials lost their jobs
c.
writs of assistance were continued
7.
purpose of the Townshend Acts
a.
raise defense revenue
b.
put royal governors and judges on the British payroll - eliminate the power of the purse
from colonial legislatures
c.
raised 257,000 in ten years
8.
colonial leaders were hard pressed to find philosophical justification for objections to it
a. Dickinson - Letters of a Pennsylvania Farmer - “Let us behave like dutiful children who have
received unmerited blows from a beloved parent. Let us complain to our parent; but let our
complaints speak at the same time the language of affliction and veneration.” - Morison 259
b.
Samuel Adams (Father of the American Revolution) had already reached the point of
believing that Parliament had no right to legislate for the colonies on any subject
c.
political realities kept him from saying that publicly
9.
colonial reaction to the Townshend Acts
a.
Massachusetts Circular Letter - “The new taxes are obviously unconstitutional but
united and dutiful supplications of distressed American subjects would meet with royal
and favorable acceptance.”
b.
Grafton ministry decides on a showdown - orders Massachusetts to rescind the letter or
the General Court will be dissolved
c.
Hancock bankrolls activities of the Sons of Liberty
d.
customs officials try harassment by bringing false charges against the Liberty
e.
Sons of Liberty rescue the ship and chase customs officials to Castle Island in Boston
Harbor
f.
troops are sent in from Halifax
g.
Adams wished to seize the opportunity - called for a representative assembly but most
delegations had orders to do nothing rash
h.
New York assembly had been dissolved for failure to pay for beer (NY Suspending Act)
10.
non-importation agreements
a.
in theory voluntary agreements not to import British goods
b.
in fact they were enforced by strong arm tactics
c.
results were varied
1.
Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey imports decline 45-50%
2.
in New York 83%
3.
in Virginia, Maryland, Carolinas they actually increase
d.
purpose was to put pressure on British merchants to lobby Parliament for repeal
11.
3-5-1770 Townshend duties were repealed - except for a tax on tea which George insisted be
left “as a mark of the supremacy of Parliament.”
3-5-70 - The Boston Massacre
1.
taunting of British troops was great sport
2.
additional troops sent out (13)
3.
withstood taunts, rotten eggs, snowballs rocks, oyster shells, and club
4.
unauthorized firing kills five - Crispus Attucks
5.
6.
I.
J.
K.
explore the possibility that it was and orchestrated event
the colonial reaction
a.
Hancock told the governor that he was through with agitation
b.
John Adams - “I shall certainly become more retired and cautious; I shall certainly
mind my own farm and my own business.”
c.
John Adams defends the soldiers - gets them acquitted but for two who have their
hands branded
d.
Sam Adams - “It is to be feared that the people will grow so accustomed to bondage as
to forget that they were ever free
7.
return to prosperity tempers the colonial reaction - imports to New England increase from
300,000 to 1.2 million
8.
Governor Hutchinson adjourns the assemble to Cambridge - effect on Harvard students
9.
Sam Adams initiates the idea of Committees of Correspondence
a.
purpose was to keep lines of communication open even in non-crisis times
b.
its purpose was to create an organization of inter-colonial leaders to keep alive the issue of the
defense of colonial liberties
c.
gave radical leaders an initial base of support to resist new infringements - it was an
organization for revolution
d.
loyalist reaction - “The foulest, subtlest, and most venomous serpent ever issued
from the egg of sedition.”
e.
by 1774 - 12 colonies had Committees of Correspondence
Gaspee Affair
1.
overzealous enforcement of the Trade and Navigation Acts in Narragansett Bay
2.
abuse of colonials livestock, fruit trees, rights, seizure of vessels
3.
June 1772 - Gaspee runs aground
a.
150 colonists board, beat up the crew, and burn it to the water line
b.
English commission promises to leave no stone unturned
c.
trial to be in England - violates the principle of local trial by jury of peers
d.
can find no witnesses - disrespect for English authority
e.
encourages the formation of new Committees of Correspondence
Tea Act - 1773
1.
designed to rescue the British East India Company from bankruptcy
2.
gives them a monopoly of sale of tea in the colonies
3.
reduces the cost of tea while leaving a 3 pence tariff
4.
puts legitimate operators out of business as well as smugglers
5.
grants the right to sell tea to loyalists
6.
colonial reaction - Committees of Correspondence provide remarkably unified action
a.
in Charleston the tea is landed but threats so intense it is stored in a warehouse eventually sold to benefit colonial cause during the revolution
b.
in New York it is not permitted to land and is returned to England
c.
Boston - goaded by Southern jibes - “Bostonians were better at resolving what to do
than doing what they resolved
d.
Adams determined to make a better show of it
e.
upon Hutchinson’s refusal to return ships to England - Adams - “This meeting can do
nothing further to save the country.”
f.
Boston Tea Party 12-16-73
g.
prearranged signal they meet disguised as Indians and dump tea into the harbor
h.
loss is 10,000 pound worth
7.
1768-1772 - 500,000 pounds of tea imported into New York and Philadelphia - after the
Tea Act - 650 pounds
8.
purpose of the Boston Tea Party - to goad England into unwise acts of retaliation
a.
negative English public opinion forced the government to act
b.
1774 the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts are passed
c.
“The dye is now cast. The colonies must either submit or triumph.”
d.
the Intolerable Acts gave radical colonial leaders exactly what they sought
The Intolerable Acts - designed to punish Boston until the tea was paid for - king was confident that order
could be maintained
1.
Boston Port Act - literally closed the port of Boston
a.
customs office is moved to Salem
b.
warships enforce the no landing order
2.
Massachusetts Government Act
a.
governor’s council to be royally appointed rather than elected by the assembly
b.
unauthorized town meeting and Committees of Correspondence were banned
3.
Administration of Justice Act (Murder Act
a. allowed the governor to transfer trials to England or Nova Scotia if an impartial jury could not be
found in Massachusetts (soldiers killing people in the line of duty)
b. particularly frightening to colonial leaders who might be tries for treason
4.
Quartering Act - authorized greater latitude in gaining quarters for British troops
5.
Quebec Act - not specifically designed as a measure against New England
a.
extended the jurisdiction of Quebec into the Ohio River Valley
b.
codified the rights of Roman Catholics in the region
c.
seen as a threat to sea to sea colonial charters
L.
effects of the Intolerable Acts
1.
remarkable display of support from other colonies - “Nearby towns sent meat, fish, and oil,
Connecticut donated hundreds of sheep, Quebec sent wheat, the Carolinas sent rice and
other food, and all the colonies donated money.”
2.
colonies reacted like a family attacked from the outside
3.
Committees of Correspondence called for a Continental Congress which met on September 5, 1774
4.
they debated Galloway’s conservative plan until news of the Suffolk Resolves reached them
5.
Suffolk Resolves - Galloway - “A declaration of war against Great Britain.”
a.
declared the Coercive Acts unconstitutional
b.
set up the free state of Massachusetts
c.
urged the people to arm themselves and defend their rights
6.
actions of the Continental Congress
a.
issued a Declaration of Rights - claiming their rights as Englishmen
b.
issued a non-importation order effective 12-1-74
c.
issued a non-exportation order effective 9-10-75
d.
these were to be enforced by the “Association” - Sons of Liberty
e.
Adjourned October 1774
7.
English counter moves
a.
passed The New England Restraining Act
b.
forbid New England to trade with any part of the world except Great Britain
c.
closed the Grand Banks fisheries to New England
REVIEW KEY FACTORS
M.
unifying factors - English attempts at control alienated all segments of colonial society and all
geographic regions, eventually causing many to see more in common with each other than
with England
N.
organizational framework of inter-colonial unity was established relatively early
O.
colonial success as defying British law was self-sustaining
P.
polarization of attitudes caused differences to be viewed in an emotional rather than a rational light
Q.
was the American Revolution preventable? - explore the concept of commonwealth
################################################################# ########
I. Philosophy of the revolution
A.
Adams - “The revolution was effected before the war commenced. The revolution was in the minds and the
hearts of the people.”
B.
Adams’ view is a bit exaggerated - but there was an ideological shift prior to 1775 in the way many (though
not most) viewed the British government
C.
ideology supporting the revolution came from two sources
1.
religious - Puritanism and Calvinism
a.
there was a higher law then civil authority
b.
when laws contradict God’s law, it need not be obeyed
2.
radical British political philosophy - Locke (partially from Hobbs)
a.
since man is innately selfish and corrupt - the function of government is to protect
man from each other
b.
Hobbs - man in the state of nature - “There is no place for industry....no culture of
the earth....no arts....no letters....no society; and worst of all, continual fear of a
violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
c.
government is created to correct this state
d.
since government is run by corruptable men, it must in turn be protected from its
members
e.
in the British system this was done through separation of powers into interest
groups - aristocracy, monarchy, common men
1.
no one group should be allowed to function unchecked by the others
2.
there was growing feeling in the colonies that the king was growing too autocratic
f.
republican government is formed as a balance between tyranny and anarchy
g.
the colonists believed the English Constitution gave them the rights and liberties
II.
they claimed
1.
they believed they were being more faithful to the constitution then was the
English government
2.
problems with the unwritten nature of the English Constitution - colonial
charters and constitutions were written documents
3.
the English viewed it as flexible and elastic - a sense of the way things
were done - common law, traditions, acts of Parliament
4.
American view is that they were fixed, definitive bodies of principles - thus
they should be codified (written down)
h.
Locke believed in certain natural rights of men which limited the power of government
since they could not be taken away - this limits the corruptibility of government
1.
government is established to protect the natural rights of man
a.
thus a social contract is formed
b.
citizen give up some power to the government and agree to obey its laws
c.
government agrees to use its power to protect man’s natural rights
2.
taxation was one of those fundamental rights in the minds of the colonists
3.
the power to tax is the power to take away property - “If anyone shall claim a power
to lay and levy taxes on the people by his own authority, and without such
consent of the people, he thereby invades the fundamental law of property, and
subverts the end of government.”
4.
since governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed,
there could be no taxation without representation
5.
if that occurs, the contract is broken and it is the right of the people to
enter into a new contract - translate - (establish a new government) - thus
there exists a right of revolution
I.
review virtual and direct representation
1.
virtual - Parliament represents neither the interests of individuals or geographic
regions but the good of the empire as a whole - only one in twenty-five
Englishmen could vote - some of the most populated boroughs had no
representatives
2.
direct - each representative represents the interests of a group of people
in a particular geographic region directly - this grew from experience in
colonial assemblies and from religious experience (congregationalism)
3.
colonists didn’t want representation in Parliament - they would be outvoted and
representatives would be too geographically isolated from the interests of their
constituents
J.
the view emerged that colonial assemblies were little parliaments - as competent
to legislate for the colony as Parliament was for the empire - thus the colonies
were like a commonwealth, tied together only by allegiance to the same monarch
K.
at issue is the nature of sovereignty
1.
England believed in a unitary system in which sovereignty could not be divided
2.
colonists were moving toward a view of divided sovereignty (federalism)
a.
Parliament could legislate for the empire
b.
local assemblies for the colonies
3.
from the British point of view the colonists either had to subordinate
themselves to England or rebel
4.
this polarized opinion and made compromise less likely
5.
from the colonist’s point of view - Patrick Henry - “Is life so dear or peace so sweet
as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I
know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me
death” 3-23-75 - notice the emotionalism making compromise less likely
Taking sides in the revolution
A.
the American Revolution is a minority revolution
B.
colonial supporters - patriots
1.
merchants who were impacted negatively by taxes or regulations
2.
planters - debts owed to British merchants some say
3.
Laborers, artisans, tradesman, small farmers who benefited from less restriction
4.
back country people - sense of independence - aversion to powerful governments
5.
national origin with natural antagonism toward the British
C.
British supporters - Loyalists - Tories
1.
British office holders
2.
merchants who fit well into the system
3.
lawyers with British clients
4.
Anglican ministers
5.
Native Americans and slaves
6.
recent British immigrants
D.
once the issue becomes emotionalized the anti-British aspect overshadows every other issue
E.
minority revolution
1.
one third patriots
2.
one fifth to one fourth loyalists
3.
two fifths to three fifths don’t give a damn
F.
Morison - the American Revolution was fought not to gain freedom but to confirm it
G.
American Revolution was fought to prevent a revolution
H.
was it preventable
III. The American Revolution - why did American fight - read Morison 284-285 - “We’ll see who’s gonna own this farm.”
A.
Lexington and Concord
1.
Gage ordered to seize colonial stores and capture Hancock and Adams
2.
Revere, Prescott, Dawes warn the minutemen
3.
Gage and 1000 men march on Lexington - 4-18-75 - Patriot’s Day - “Disperse ye rebels”
4.
someone fired - 8 killed - 10 wounded
5.
Sam Adams, hurrying across the green to escape - “This is a glorious day for America.”
6.
Gage marches on to Concord Bridge - Emerson - “There the embattled farmers stood and
fired the shot heard round the world.” - why worldwide implications - fostered revolutions
elsewhere
B.
Gage encounters a “countryside in arms”
1.
differences between European and American warfare
2.
Gage had to fight hi way back to Boston - line of battle 100 yards wide and 16 miles long
3.
British losses - 73 killed - 174 wounded - 26 missing / colonists 49k - 39w
4.
the colonial account of Lexington and Concord reaches England 12 days before Gage’s
official report - causes a furor in England - what are the implications?
5.
leads to the Conciliatory Proposition - colonies tax themselves as Parliament demands it was submitted to individual colonies
II. Second Continental Congress - 5-10-75 - still fully a year from the Declaration of Independence
A.
hears that Ticonderoga has fallen to Ethan Allen
B.
militants quickly gain control of the Congress - though few offer independence as a solution still politically unwise
C.
actions of the Second Continental Congress
1.
offer Indians a treaty - possibly as a fourteenth colony
2.
appoints Washington as commander in chief
3.
authorizes Montgomery and Benedict Arnold to attack Canada (14th colony)
D.
Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill) June 16-17-1775
1.
colonists had Gage hemmed in except for one peninsula
2.
fortify Breed’s Hill in an attempt to bring it within cannon range
3.
Gage attempts to dislodge the colonists with a frontal assault
4.
“don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” order
5.
British lose 1054k of 2200 engaged - colonists 441 of 3200
6.
tactical v moral victory - Clinton - “A dear bought victory, another such would have ruined
us.” - “Those people show a spirit and conduct against us that they never showed
against the French.”
7.
Gage is forced to leave Boston - March 1776
E.
Montgomery and Arnold lead attack against Canada
1.
11-12-75 Montgomery captures Montreal
2.
Arnold forced to go through the Maine woods with 600 men
3.
attack on Quebec fails
F.
Declaration of Causes of Taking Up Arms - 7-6-75 - ”We mean not to dissolve that union which has so long
and happily subsisted between us..We have not raised armies with ambitious designs of
separation from
Great Britain, and establishing independent states. We fight not for glory or conquest. We are reduced to the
alternative of choosing an unconditional surrender to the tyranny of irritated ministers, orresistance by force.
The latter is our choice. - note where the blame is placed
G.
The Olive Branch Petition - 7-8-75 - “Attached to your majesty’s person, family, and government with all the
devotion that principle and affection can inspire, connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties that can
unite societies, and deploring every event that tends in any degree to weaken them, we solemnly assure your
majesty, that we not only most ardently desire the former harmony between her and these colonies may be
restored, but that a concord may be established between them on so firm a basis, as to perpetuate its
blessings uninterrupted by any future dissension to succeeding generations of both countries.”
1.
the king refuses to receive the Olive Branch Petition
2.
August 1775 the colonies are declared in a state of rebellion
3.
December 1775 - Prohibitory Act - forbids all trade with the colonies
III. Movement of popular opinion toward independence
A.
polarization - turn from rationalism to emotionalism
1.
rejection of the Olive Branch out of hand
2.
the Prohibitory Act
3.
Common Sense - Thomas Paine (describe as “a crack-brained zealot for democracy”)
a.
sells more than 150,000 copies between January and June 1776
b.
argues that common sense demands independence
c.
“A thirst for absolute power is the natural disease of monarchy.”
4.
fire bombings of Falmouth and Norfolk - December 1775
5.
the hiring of Hessian mercenaries by England
B.
the Continental Congress resists declaring independence until a resolution is introduced
from outside New England
1.
June 6, 1776 Richard Henry Lee arrives with a resolve passed by the Virginia Assembly
2.
“That these colonies are, and of right ought to be, independent states.”
3.
committee of five sets about drafting a declaration - Jefferson does most of the actual writing
4.
approved by Congress on July 2, 1776
C.
analysis of the Declaration of Independence - three parts
1.
philosophical justification for revolution
2.
list of specific grievances
3.
declaration of independence
4.
Franklin - “We must all hang together or we’ll all hang separately.”
IV. Relative strength of each side
A.
British strengths
1.
well-trained existing army
2.
most powerful navy (condition this with Boyer’s description)
3.
experienced leadership
4.
manufacturing and finance
5.
a government in force
6.
population
B.
colonial strengths
1.
fighting a defensive war - they need not win any battles to win the war
2.
no nerve center - like punching a pillow - Britain at one time or another will control every
major city - but it never controls the countryside around it
3.
moral rightness
4.
geographic isolation - extended supply lines
5.
knowledge of the countryside
6.
geography - vastness of the area that needed to be controlled
7.
possibility of a foreign alliance
C.
misc. war effort
1.
length of the war - enlistments were for one year - reasons for that - the only time Washington
lost his self-control - “Good God, Gentlemen. Our cause is ruined if you enlist men only for a
year. You must not think of it. If we ever hope for success, we must have men enlisted for the
whole term of the war.”
2.
Adams - “We shall have a long, obstinate, and bloody war to go through.”
3.
enlistments - the population should have supported an army of 100,000 - though Congress
only called for 35,000 and no more than 18,000 were ever in the army at one time
4.
navies - British navy had 28 warships in Nova Scotia and Florida - the colonists had 13
and had to rely on hit and run raids and attacks on British commerce
5.
weaknesses of the government
a.
finance - not worth a continental
b.
had to requisition contributions from the states - why - no power to tax
c.
supplies also had to be requisitioned - “naked regiment” - “there are now 4000 men
wanting blankets, near 2000 of which have never had one although someof them have
been in service for 12 months.
d.
Connecticut - Trumbull’s role - Bushnell’s turtle
6.
weapons - muskets 2-3 rounds per minute - rifle one minute to reload - “I would as soon
face the enemy with a musket and bayonet without ammunition as with a rifle.”
################################################################# #############
I. The American Revolution - Northern campaigns
A.
Long Island - Howe evacuated Boston and went to Nova Scotia - August 1776
1.
British troop strength - 25,000 - colonists 18,000
2.
B.
C.
D.
Washington occupies Brooklyn Heights - strategic blunder he came down and fought a
traditional European style battle
3.
Howe blunder - his failure to follow up allowed Washington to keep his army in tact
4.
proposal to burn New York - vetoed by Congress - New York remains in British hands
throughout the war - strategic importance
5.
subsequent battle defending New York cost Washington men before retreat across
New Jersey
Jerseys campaign
1.
purpose was to defend Philadelphia
2.
Howe unable to force Washington into a pitched battle
3.
Washington encounters a “countryside in cellar”
4.
Howe divides troops and tries to beat Washington to the Delaware - Washington wins and
rounds up all boats within 20 miles - Howe discouraged and calls off the campaign 12-13-76 retires to New York - mistress - gentlemen don’t fight in the winter - leaves Hessians to control
Washington
5.
Battle of Trenton provoked by an uncharacteristically bold move by Washington - why - one
half of Washington’s enlistments were up at the end of the year - thus he desperately needed
a victory - Thomas Paine - “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and
the sunshine patriot will in this crisis shrink from the service of his country; but he who stands
it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily
conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict the more glorious the
triumph. What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only which gives
everything its value. Heaven only knows how to put a price on its goods; and it would be
strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should be highly rated.”
6.
12-26 Washington recrosses the Delaware and catches Hessian literally napping
a.
captures 900 at a cost of 0 killed - 4 wounded - 2 frozen to death
b.
wintering of Hessians brought many to the patriot cause
c.
Washington follows up Trenton and retakes most of New Jersey
Battle of Saratoga - the turning point of the war - October 1777
1.
British plan three-pronged attack to separate the colonies (Howe, St. Ledger, Burgoyne)
2.
problems with the politics of colonial command
a.
Arnold deserves command but New England quota had been met
b.
Schuyler unacceptable to New Englanders because of aristocratic nature
c.
Gates of Virginia assumes command (pushed by circumstances and wife into
positions too great for his merits
3.
problems develop with the British plan
a.
Howe goes to Philadelphia
b.
St. Ledger beaten at Fort Stanwick - Herkimer and Arnold
4.
Burgoyne moves south with 8000 man army - slowed by officer’s wives and children to
(180 wagons) one mile a day - colonists burn bridges and fell trees across roads
a.
forced to forage for food - launch raids against the countryside
b.
Bennington - loses 600 men
c.
foraging raids cost him 1000 - problem of the countryside in arms
5.
1st Battle of Freeman’s Farm - Burgoyne outnumbered 2-1 - Gates blunders at Bemis
Heights - Arnold leads assault and wins - Gates forgets to mention him in the official
report to Congress - Arnold tells of Gates and is relieved of command
a.
Arnold had support of the men
b.
“There wasn’t no waste timber in him. It was come on boys, not go on boys. He
didn’t care for nothing. He ride right in.”
6.
2nd Battle of Freeman’s Farm - Arnold turns victory into a rout
a.
Burgoyne surrenders 6000 men
b.
major significance because it is the “turning point of the American Revolution”
1.
leads to the French alliance in 1778 - why did the French wait?
2.
wanted assurances of victory
3.
France provides troops, money, supplies, navy, possibility of a two-front war
Philadelphia - 1777 - Howe move troops by water from New York
1.
Washington attempts to defend at Brandywine Creek and Germantown
2.
loses 1000 men in each battle
3.
it is said that Howe did not capture Philadelphia, but Philadelphia captured Howe - he
was unwilling to venture into the countryside
4.
Washington endures winter at Valley Forge 1777-1778 - “you could track the army by
the blood of its feet.”
5.
1778 - the British have 19,000 Philadelphia - 10,500 New York - 4000 Newport - all
immobile and unwilling to venture into the countryside
6.
Clinton replaces Howe in command and moves headquarters back to New York
II. The American Revolution - the Southern campaigns
A.
Cornwallis wants to invade South and pick up Loyalist support
B.
South Carolina battles
1.
1779 - invades Charleston - Lincoln surrenders 5,500
2.
Camden - August 1780 - Gates placed in charge of the Southern Army
a.
from Hillsboro moves south through the pine barrens
b.
troops went for days with no food then gorged on peaches, green corn, and raw beef
c.
cowardice at Camden - Gates rides his horse 60 miles to Charlotte
d.
Green placed in command of the Southern Army - October 1780
3.
King’s Mountain - October 1780 - Bunker Hill in reverse
4.
Cowpens - January 1781
C.
Greene’s strategy was hit and run raids - harassment - boats on wheels
D.
Guilford Courthouse March 1781
1.
Greene able to select the time and place of battle
2.
British win but lose 30% killed or wounded
3.
forces Cornwallis to Wilmington to resupply before moving North
4.
loyalist support never develops to the degree expected
E.
Cornwallis moves to fortify a position on the Virginia coast from which he can be reinforced
and
resupplied
1.
chooses the York peninsula
2.
Washington determines to move south from New York
a.
issues false intelligence reports
b.
builds hard tack bakeries
3.
Admiral DeGrasse arrives with the French fleet from the West Indies - “Washington
acted like a child whose every wish had been granted.”
4.
Battle of the Chesapeake Capes prevents the British from reinforcing Cornwallis
5.
forced to decide rather to fight the battle or surrender - chooses surrender October 1781
6.
North acted as if he’d been hit with a cannon ball - “Oh God, it’s over.”
F.
The Peace of Paris - 1783 - major gains for U.S.
1.
boundaries extended west to the Mississippi
2.
recognition of American independence
3.
recommended compensation to loyalists
4.
British evacuation of Northwest forts
################################################################# ############
I. Post-revolutionary America - “Perhaps the greatest indication that the American Revolution to preserve not gain
freedom is the fact that society demanded no major changes following the revolution.”
A.
economic changes - depressions generally follow great wars - (worldwide in this case)
1.
colonists had significant problems stemming from operating outside the mercantilistic
umbrella
a.
no longer had the protection of British trade laws
b.
lacked industries
c.
bounties were withdrawn for the production of some key goods
d.
markets seriously constricted - particularly the West Indies
e.
enumerated commodities no longer ended duty free
2.
cheap British imports hurt American manufacturing which had expanded during the war
a.
Britain quickly regains its share of the American market
b.
the reverse is not always true
1.
the south recovered more quickly than the north
2.
by 1786 exports equal 1774 in the south
3.
by 1786 exports equal one quarter 1774 in Massachusetts
c.
the French market fails to develop as anticipated
3.
Mediterranean problems - interference with our shipping by pirates - unable to respond
4.
currency and debt problems
5.
in a positive sense the war encouraged the development of American industry and
encouraged the U.S. to seek new markets overseas (Far East trade begins to develop)
B.
social changes
1.
egalitarianism (define) - a man’s worth was not measured by his wealth
2.
liberalizing effect of the departure of 80,000 loyalists - not nearly significant as once believed
a.
all social classes contained loyalists
b.
confiscated property tended to be purchased by well to do
C.
D.
c.
decrease in the average size of land holdings as a result of the confiscation of
loyalist estates (though not as great as originally thought)
3.
loosening of moral standards that always accompanies a major war
4.
democratic spirit in religion fostered by the breakup of the Anglican Church (disestablishment)- thus
the encouragement of the final separation of church and state - also increased religious
toleration - Jefferson’s Statute for Religious Freedom 1786
5.
abolition of entail and primogeniture
6.
abolition of slavery in the North and the movement toward manumission in the South
with the establishment of manumission societies
a.
first abolition movement begins with Northern Quakers
b.
did not greatly effect the status of slaves in the South
c.
free blacks continued to be discriminated against - differentiate between freedom
and equal treatment
7.
women’s status was not greatly altered
a.
best that can be said is that the subordination of women became a topic of debate
b.
educational opportunities advance somewhat
c.
“Republican Womanhood” (Motherhood) - the political function of women was to reinforce the
democratic principles of the revolution in their children
diplomatic problems
1.
significant problems remaining with Great Britain
a.
continued occupation of Northwest forts by British troops
b.
boundary disputes between Canada and the U.S.
c.
debts owed to British merchants (served as an excuse for remaining in Northwest forts
1.
Congress recommended to the states the payment of loyalist claims - most states
gnored the request
2.
most states honored prewar debts - Virginia did not - pays off 600,000 pounds in
1802
2.
diplomatic relations with France are cool
a.
U.S. conclusion of a separate treaty with Great Britain
b.
failure of France to materialize as a market
c.
ultimately the beginnings of the French Revolution
d.
continuation of the perpetual treaty of alliance
3.
problems with Spain
a.
Florida border problems
b.
right of deposit (define) at New Orleans
political changes and problems
1.
state constitutions are rewritten
a.
tend to show distrust of the executive
b.
emphasize the powers of the lower house and call for frequent elections
c.
increased enfranchisement - reduced property qualifications (most still retained
some - though sometimes the requirement was in terms of wealth)
d.
Bills of Rights included in most - defining rights upon which the government could not
infringe
e.
written constitutions
f.
continued East/West problems within the colonies
“According to the natural history of revolutions, we would expect the American Confederation to
fall apart, or that the army or some outstanding leader would set up a military despotism. What
actually happened was the establishment of government under law.” This occurred because “we
began with freedom.”
2.
3.
“Moreover, the principles of the revolution were conservative; the leaders were thinking of
preserving or securing the freedom that they already enjoyed rather than, like the Russians,
building something new and different.” Some say that the greatest outcome was the
establishment of government under law. “Wherever law ends, tyranny begins.” (Locke)
state governments tended to be of three types
a.
Virginia - legislative supremacy
b.
Pennsylvania - unicameral - liberal - no governor
c.
Massachusetts - mixed (Morison - 360)
the trend is toward the separation of powers within state governments
a.
later governments tended to reflect more evenly separated powers
b.
Montesique - Spirit of the Laws
II.
The Articles of Confederation - what type of government would you expect to develop as a reaction to the British
unity system? Would it be natural to expect an over-reaction? Why was power in the hands of state governments
preferable to power in the hands of a central government? The continued fear of tyranny.
A.
Articles of Confederation drafted by the Second Continental Congress and sent to the states
for ratification in 1777
B.
by 1779 all the states except for Maryland had ratified it
1.
Maryland refused because it had no western land claims
2.
this had to do with the ability to repay war debts without raising taxes
C.
finally ratified in 1781 when Virginia agrees in principle to give up its western lands to the central
government - thus America fought most of the war without a legally constituted government
D.
the Articles reflected the fear of a strong central government
1.
composed of one branch - legislative
2.
no power to tax - had to requisition funds from the states
3.
no power to regulate interstate trade
4.
no power to enforce laws
5.
two-thirds majority needed for major pieces of legislation
6.
could be amended only with unanimous consent
7.
nevertheless, their are some positive gains under the Articles
E.
positive contributions of the Articles
1.
favorable peace treaty negotiated
2.
Land Ordinance of 1785
a.
determined that the old Northwest would be divided into not fewer than three or
more than five states
b.
adopted the New England township system of land survey
1.
townships six miles square - divided into 36 sections - 1 mile square
2.
section 16 set aside for maintenance of public education
3.
even numbered townships to be sold in sections - odd numbered to be
sold as townships, mostly to speculators
3.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
a.
brought on by the Ohio Company’s desire to buy 1.5 million acres for $1.5m
b.
congress had been reduced to the point where it seldom met
c.
the prospect of raising this much cash led them to attain a quorum - 8 states and
18 members
d.
the Northwest Ordinance provides the procedure by which territories can be
organized into states
1.
when 5000 free male inhabitants - Congress appoints a governor and a
territorial legislature may meet
2.
60,000 inhabitants legislature could write a constitution and submit it to Congress
3.
with Congressional approval, statehood was granted on an equal footing with
existing states - note there was no desire to establish a new colonial system
4.
slavery was forbidden
5.
public education was specifically encouraged
III. Serious problems with the Articles of Confederation
A.
most serious weaknesses were economic
1.
problems with interstate trade (Conn. - N.Y - N.J. try to erect tariff barriers against goods
entering their states
2.
problems negotiating trade agreements with foreign countries - did it require one treaty
or thirteen
3.
creditor/debtor problems - lack of a uniform national currency hurt creditors and interstate
trade
4.
Shay’s Rebellion (foreclosures on mortgages) sent a warning to state legislators and
national leaders
a.
proposed setting up committees of correspondence
b.
Sam Adams proposed hanging anyone who did so
c.
the difference between being and in and an out
5.
unable to open trade with the west Indies
6.
unable to dislodge the British from Northwestern forts - they used loyalist compensation
and failure to repay prewar debts as an excuse
B.
1786 - Virginia calls for Annapolis Convention
1.
only five states sent delegates
2.
Hamilton and Madison are convinced that nothing can be accomplished and recommend a
general meeting at Philadelphia in 1787 - proposal adopted
3.
when it became apparent that the meeting would be held anyway, Congress grudgingly
consented to its meeting “for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of
Confederation.”
Question - could the Constitution have been written and adopted without the confederation period serving as a
bridge (transition)? Would the colonists ever have agreed to a strong central government (Federal system) without
having been exposed to the shortcomings of a weak central government (confederation)?
I.
II.
“In 1783-1784 Congress reached its lowest point. Run out of Philadelphia by mutineers of the Pennsylvania line
regiment, it wandered from place to place in the middle states like the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in the
fifteenth century. Congress moved to Princeton in June of 1783, Annapolis in November, and Trenton in 1784, and
a year later to New York, where it stayed until the Confederation faded out.”
Constitutional Convention - 1787 - Philadelphia (Miracle at Philadelphia)
A.
delegates to the convention - characteristics - Morison - “At Philadelphia twelve states were
represented by fifty-five delegates. Two were college presidents; three were or had been college
professors; twenty-six others were college graduates. Four delegates at read law at the Inns of Court in
London: nine were foreign born. Twenty-eight had served in Congress, and most of the others in state
legislatures. The most surprising thing about the delegates is there youth. Five were under thirty years old;
Alexander Hamilton was thirty-two. Three more were within a year of thirty-five. The average age was fortythree.
B.
delegates were more alike than different in their thinking
1.
all supported republican government (distinguish between republican and democratic
government in 18th century thought)
2.
most supported balanced government - a multitude of interest groups (factions) among
whom power could be separated
3.
most favored restricted suffrage - but hey deferred to the states rather than risk rejection of
the constitution
4.
most favored a strong executive (Confederation experience)
5.
they came from similar experiential and cultural backgrounds
C.
delegates - 74 were appointed - 55 showed up at one time or another - 40 took an active part
1.
only eight signers of the Declaration of Independence were present
2.
notably absent were Sam and John Adams, Patrick Henry (who said he smelt a rat),
Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson
3.
discuss the impact of these emotional leaders being absent - were the delegates likely to
come up with a better constitution?
4.
examine the fact that the U.S. Constitution is written well after the revolution rather than,
like the French, as the revolution is occurring - what difference does that make?
5.
examine Bowen’s contention that some are better at tearing down governments that at
erecting new ones (lasting institutions) - why?
D.
dominant leaders - Alexander Hamilton, Washington (lends prestige and legitimacy to the
proceedings), James Madison (Little Jemmy - about as big as a half a piece of soap) - father of
the Constitution - notes provide major insight into the proceedings - Gouverner Morris, Ben
Franklin (sedan chair and lighting rods)
John Adams complained - “The history of our revolution will be one continued lie from one end to the
other.The essence of the whole will be that Dr. Franklin’s electrical rod smote the earth and out sprang
General Washington. That Franklin electrified him with the rod - and thence forward these two conducted all
policy, negotiation, legislature, and wars.”
F.
deliberations were purposely kept secret - reasons
1.
to give opponents less fodder to work with - knowing it would have to be ratified
2.
easier for delegates to change positions on issues before the final vote
G.
consider what the Constitutional Convention was - a secret meeting designed to replace an existing
government without their consent, appealing to constitutional conventions in individual states over the heads
of Congress, and establishing and unconstitutional ratifying procedure (only two-thirds must ratify before it
takes effect.)
H.
the writers of the Constitution sought not to write the theoretically best constitution, but as good a one as
they could probably get ratified - thus Franklin - “The older I grow the more apt I am to doubt my own
judgment. Thus I consent, Sir, to this constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure it is
not the best.”
Compromises which ensure the success of the Constitutional Convention
A.
large state/ small state controversy
1.
Virginia Plan is introduced during the first month of the convention and becomes the
yardstick other plans are compared to - large state plan
a.
designed to ensure large state domination of the new government
b.
favored a bicameral legislature
c.
d.
e.
f.
lower house popularly elected
upper house chosen from the lower house from state legislature nominees
representation to be based on either population or wealth
Congress given the Confederation power plus the “right to legislate in all cases in
which the several states are incompetent”
g.
Congress had the authority to veto state legislation
h.
executive to be chosen by the legislative branch - emphasize the significance of
this Parliamentary form of government
i.
provisions for a national supreme court
2.
New Jersey plan - small state plan
a.
designed to allow small states to control the new government - feared domination
by larger states
b.
did not question the need for stronger government, only who would control it
c.
gave Congress the power to regulate commerce, tax, and coerce the states
d.
unicameral legislature with each state having an equal vote
e.
also contained the germ of a national supremacy clause
3.
to accept the Virginia Plan would have doomed the constitution because small states
would not ratify it
4.
Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise) - Roger Sherman
a.
bicameral legislature
b.
equal representation in the Senate
c.
House of Representative based on population
d.
all money bills must begin in the House
e.
who wins the great compromise - why?
B.
three-fifths compromise
1.
some movement during the convention for the abolition of slavery - that would ensure defeat
of ratification attempts
2.
concern over how slaves are to be treated for purposes of representation and taxation
3.
count as three-fifths of a person for each - which would each side prefer
4.
slave trade is protected for twenty years - limits Congressional power to act on it
5.
ratification of all treaties would require a two-thirds vote
6.
these concessions were required for Southern support
III. Major components of the constitution
A..
establishment of fundamental law - government by law rather than men
B.
division of power - the concept of federalism
1.
divided sovereignty
2.
each supreme in their own sphere
a.
delegated or enumerated powers - Federal government
b.
reserved powers - state governments
c.
concurrent powers - shared powers
3.
national supremacy clause impacts when their in conflict
C.
separation of powers - power divided among the various branches of government - Montesique - checks and
balances
1.
designed to keep absolute power divided
2.
this is the concept of balanced government
D.
democratic and anti-democratic provisions (republicanism versus democracy)
1.
frequent elections
2.
expectation that the legislature would always choose the executive
3.
look at provisions for the House and Senate
E.
compromise between majority rule and minority rights (fundamental rights)
F.
flexibility - the elastic clause (necessary and proper, or implied powers)
1.
strict constructionism - if the constitution doesn’t specific authorize a grant of power to the
federal government, it does not have that power (if the constitution doesn’t say it can, it can’t)
2.
loose constructionism - if the constitution doesn’t specifically prohibit the exercise of power
by the federal government, it has that power (if the constitution doesn’t say it can’t, it can) constitutional interpretation by ins and outs
IV. Constitutional interpretations - historic
A.
early in the 19th century the founding fathers were seen as God-like deities, putting aside
self-interest to establish a government for altruistic reasons
B.
early 20th century criticism begins with Charles and Mary Beard - Economic Interpretation of
the Constitution
1.
propertied classes sought to protect themselves with a strong national and weak state
government
2.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
they sought to establish a stable economic system - the contention is not that they
sought specific personal gain but that “an individual’s political behavior reflects their
broad economic interest”
3.
thus because they were propertied, they protected creditor rights (contract)
4.
relate to Presidential elections today - what economic position is espoused by each party
Allen Smith - contended that the constitution was the outgrowth of anti-democratic forces
seeking to suppress the will of the majority
1.
certainly framers were suspicious of democratic impulse (mobocracy)
2.
they probably did seek protection from the “tyranny of the majority”
Burns - the balanced view - “The founders were neither Gods for whom self-interest or economic
considerations were of no importance, nor selfish elitists who thought only in terms of their own
pocketbooks. They were, by and large, aristocrats fearful of the masses, but committed to an
aristocracy of merit, education, and accomplishment, not of birth or wealth. The framers wanted to protect
the nation from aggression abroad and dissension at home. Stability and strength were needed not only to
protect their interests, but also to secure the unity and order necessary for the operation of democracy.”
ratification process
1.
they avoided the requirement of unanimity because they knew it doomed their chances
2.
thus ratification by nine states was needed for adoption
3.
the constitution was ratified by specially called ratifying conventions in order to give it a
higher authority than the states (people) - if the states created a national government
they had the authority to destroy it
4.
cleverly adopt the name federalists leaving the opposition with the negative anti-federalist tag
5.
Federalists had something positive to offer - Anti-federalists could only oppose
6.
geographical split in those favoring ratification
a.
seaboard and cities tend to support
b.
backcountry tends to oppose
c.
generalizations are hard to make - some oppose and support in all of the colonial
regions
7.
Federalist Papers used to support ratification in New York
a.
written by Madison, Hamilton, Jay
b.
serve as political propaganda
c.
also shed light on interpretation of the framers
8.
most telling criticism was the lack of a Bill of rights
a.
reasons it was left off
1.
not to list rights implies they do not exist
2.
most states had bills of rights in their constitutions
b.
Federalists quickly agree to add one
the politics of ratification
1.
Federalist strategy was to ratify quickly before opposition had a chance to mount
2.
Antifederalists lacked access to newspapers
3.
Antifederalists have the logistical problem of mobilizing support in rural areas
4.
smaller states (except Rhode Island) tend to ratify it quickly
5.
four key states
6.
Pennsylvania - Federalists refuse to delay ratification until after the next elections
a.
Antifederalists walk out to prevent a quorum
b.
two members dragged in and held
c.
Pennsylvania ratifies on 12-87 (46-23)
6.
by early 1788 Connecticut, Georgia, New Jersey also ratified it
7.
Massachusetts - Hancock and Sam Adams uncommitted
a.
both are lured to support with hints of the Vice Presidency
b.
ratified 2-88 (187-168
8.
by June of 1788 the necessary nine states had ratified it - why worry about others? - could not
be successful without Virginia and new York because of their size and influence
9.
Virginia opposition led by Patrick henry and James Monroe
a.
Washington letter urging unconditional ratification turns the tide
b.
ratified 6-25-88 (89-79)
10.
New York - Federalists were outnumbered
a.
Federalist Papers published to help gain support - probably unsuccessful in turning
many votes
b.
coupled with news of Virginia ratification the tide is turned
c.
ratifies 7-26-88 - passes by only three votes
11.
only North Carolina and Rhode Island hold out - who cares?
longest surviving written constitution - why ? - look at amendment procedure
H.
I.
has it outlived its usefulness - is government still effective operating under it?
Franklin - a rising or a setting sun?