America After the
Revolution
The Spirit of 76
• =
Americans
experience a
growth of Nationalism.
Defined.
Pride in or devotion to
one’s country.
Unlike other revolutions,
nationalism develops during
the conflict with Britain, but
not before it.
Common sacrifices,
experiences, and battles
help to solidify (bring
together) America.
America After the
Revolution
Benjamin Franklin
Colonists think of
themselves as a separate
society.
Distinct from Europe based
on society, economics, and
attitudes.
No landed nobility, no
kings, and a belief in the
equality of man.
More educated and liberal.
Many come from the
middle-class.
America After the
Revolution
Local ties remain
predominant.
Most Americans still
consider themselves as
citizens of their states, not
as Americans.
Belief that the sovereignty
of the state was more
important than that of the
power of the central
government.
Would prove to be a
problem later.
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Why did the Founding Fathers
Choose a Confederation plan of
government?
The first system of government
designed by the Founding Fathers was
Why Did the Founding
Fathers
a Confederation.
Under a Confederate
believe
the
to be
system,
theArticles
Nationalneeded
or Central
replaced by
the US
Constitution?
Government
is given
only
a few powers,
while most of the power is reserved for
the States.
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
The Articles had 2 major
achievements:
1)Bringing the Revolutionary War
to a successful conclusion
2) North West Ordinance (plan for
governing the western lands)
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Declare War &
Establish an
Army/Navy
No Power to
Draft Soldiers
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Make Peace &
Sign Treaties
No Power to
Enforce Treaties
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Borrow Money
No Power to
Collect Taxes
from the States
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Organize a
Post Office
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
No Chief Executive
No national court system
No Power to Regulate
Interstate Commerce
No National Currency
Difficult to Pass laws
(2/3 vote)
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Difficult to
Amend
(unanimous vote
needed to change the
articles)
The Articles of Confederation
• Congress given the •
•
power to:
•
• Declare War
•
• Make Peace
•
• Sign Treaties
•
• Borrow Money
• Establish an Army & •
•
Navy
•
• Organize a Post
•
Office
No Chief Executive
No National Court System
No Power to Draft Soldiers
No Power to Control Interstate
Commerce
No Power to Enforce Treaties
No Power to Collect Taxes from
the States
Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote)
No National Currency
Difficult to Amend
(Unanimous Vote Needed to
Change Articles)
Shay’s Rebellion
Shay’s Rebellion
• Daniel Shays was a decorated Continental Army
captain who later helped lead a rebellion and
protest against politicians, economic injustice, and
unequal laws.
• Daniel Shay and many soldiers like him had not
received the payment due them for their services in
the Continental Army. Some were thrown into
debtor’s prison, because they could not pay the bills
on their farms.
• Shay and his followers pressed for the new
government to change excessive taxes on property,
unjust court actions, heavy polling taxes, the costly
lawsuits, and an unstable currency (money). They
pressed for an issue of paper money.
Shay’s Rebellion
• The rebellion arose in
Massachusetts in 1786,
spread to other states,
and came together in the
rebels' march upon a
federal arsenal. It wound
down in 1787 with the
election of a more
popular governor, an
economic upswing, and
the creation of the
Constitution of the United
Angry Protests During Shay’s Rebellion
States in Philadelphia.
Conclusion
Why did the Founding Fathers
Choose a Confederation plan
of government?
They feared that a strong central
government would create tyranny,
and stamp out the peoples natural
God given rights.
Conclusion
Why Did the Founding Fathers
believe the Articles needed to be
replaced by the US Constitution?
The nation needed to function as
ONE united country & not 13
small unorganized nations.
Shay’s rebellion proved the need
to strengthen the government.