CHAPTER 6
Toward a More Perfect Union,
1783 - 1788
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Politics and Change in the New
Republic
 In the Articles of Confederation, the federal
government was an agent of the states
 Most power was in the hands of states and their
strong republican state constitutions
 Women get little attention from new government
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Republican motherhood
Judith Sargent Murray
 Growing abolition movement in North indicates
future problems for Union
 Religious freedom of expression grows, but
religious tests for public office remain common
North America in 1783
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Challenges to the Confederation
 Inability to tax becomes major problem
 Congress lacks ability to discharge debt
 Newburgh Conspiracy
 Demobilization of troops is additional problem
 Congress faces large war debt
 Robert Morris proposed the Bank of the United States
 Created in 1781, it was seen by some as tool of commercial
elite
 John Jay negotiated with Spain on issue of ports
 Americans forced to adopt policy changes dealing
with Native Americans
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Theyendanerea (Joseph Brant)
Northwest Ordinances
 Congress passes Northwest Ordinances to
regulate settlement there
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Three ordinances passed (1784, 1785, and 1787)
Speculators, like Ohio Company, purchased land rights
from Natives and federal authorities
Provide means for distributing land
Government hoped to raise revenue
Establish guidelines for formation of new states
1787 Ordinance grants citizens’ rights and prohibited
slavery from region
Western Land Cessions, 1782-1802
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Land Ordinance of 1785
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The Northwest Territory and the Rectangular Survey
Political and Economic Turmoil
 English demands for payment in specie and
imposition of state taxes overburden ordinary
Americans
 Farmers feel left out of decision-making
 Massachusetts farmers join Shays’ Rebellion
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Daniel Shay
Riot Act of Massachusetts
Government troops dispersed Shay’s forces
Disqualification Act
The Movement for Constitutional
Reform
 Philadelphia Convention of May 1787 addresses
nation’s problems
 Constitutional Convention in the fall sets out to
establish a workable government
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Virginia Plan/ bicameral houses, lower house elected
upper house, appointed executive and judicial branch
New Jersey/ one-house, equal representation, expanded
Congressional powers
“Great compromise” expands role of federal
government, combined elements of other plans
Constitutional Reform (cont.’d)
 Convention decisions
 establishment of electoral college
 balance of power in Congress
 provision for using population for both representation
and taxation
 Three-Fifths Compromise
 Debate over ratification divides Americans
 Federalists prevail The Federalist
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In June 1788, with New Hampshire ratification,
Constitution adopted
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Ratification of Constitution
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Discussion Questions
 Analyze the Articles of Confederation. What
issues did they fail to address?
 Examine the causes and consequences of Shay’s
Rebellion.
 How did the Northwest Ordinance affect the lives
of natives and Americans?
 Compare the plans presented at the
Constitutional Convention. What compromise
was finally adapted?