History Lecture Notes: Founding the Nation

Announcements

• Early voting in Texas begins on October 13th.
• Benefits of early voting: avoid lines, no need to go to a specific polling place.

Chapter 6 Recap

• Post-Revolutionary ideas.
• Formation of state constitutions.
• Diversity in constitutions: conservative (vestiges of old laws) vs. liberal (e.g., Vermont, Pennsylvania).

Chapter 7: Founding the Nation (1783-1791)

Key Questions:

• How to govern the newly independent nation?
• What to include in the national constitution?
• Defining inalienable rights and their beneficiaries.

Articles of Confederation

• America's first written constitution.
• Drafted in 1777, ratified in 1781.
• Key features:
  • Each state retains sovereignty.
  • National government powers: declare war, conduct financial affairs, make treaties.
• Major limitations:
  • Lack of financial resources for the national government.
  • No power to coin money or regulate commerce.
  • Difficulty in amending due to requirement for unanimous consent.
  • No executive branch or national court system.

Westward Expansion and Land Ordinances

• Post-Treaty of Paris: U.S. doubles in size.
• Settlers move west for land perceived as free.
• Issues with Native American conflict.

Land Ordinances

1. Ordinance of 1784
   • Drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
   • Stages of self-government for western territories.
2. Ordinance of 1785
   • Regulation of land sales north of the Ohio River.
   • Land expensive for ordinary settlers: $640 for a square mile.
3. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
   • Creation of 3-5 states north of the Ohio River.
   • Land not taken from Native Americans without consent.
   • Prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787)

• Massachusetts farmers protest against high taxes and lack of credit.
• Highlights post-war economic struggles.

The Constitutional Convention (1787)

• 55 educated delegates convened.
• Created a new government framework:
  • Three branches: legislative, executive, judiciary.
  • Federalism and checks and balances.

Government Structure

• Virginia Plan: Two-house legislature based on population.
• New Jersey Plan: One-house Congress, equal representation for each state.
• Compromise: Two-house Congress.
  • Senate: Two senators per state.
  • House of Representatives: Based on population.

Key Constitutional Principles

• Federalism: Division of powers between national and state governments.
• Checks and Balances: Prevents concentration of power in one branch.

Slavery Debate

• Three-Fifths Compromise: States could count 60% of enslaved population for representation.
• Slave Trade: Prohibited importation of African slaves after January 1, 1808.
• Extraterritoriality: Slavery remains attached to person despite location.
• Constitution does not directly address slavery.

Constitution Ratification

• Final session: September 17, 1787.
• Created a national framework, but left many societal questions unanswered.

Next Topic

• Ratification debate and origin of the Bill of Rights.