Lecture on the First Republic: Week Six, Video Lecture One

Revolutionary War and New Government Debates

• Revolutionary War sparked debates on replacing British monarchy.
• Colonies experimented with self-government, creating a pool of ideas for a new government.

State Constitutions and Separation of Powers

• State constitutions shared separation of powers to prevent abuse.
  • Executive: Governor
  • Legislature: State Legislature
  • Judicial: State Courts
• Inclusion of Bill of Rights in constitutions to protect citizens' cherished rights.

Confederation and the Articles of Confederation

• Richard Henry Lee's resolution led to the idea of a confederation among states.
• Articles of Confederation adopted in November 1777, creating a weak national government.
• Articles significant for the revolutionary fighters, not for modern government.

Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom

• Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1786.
• Declared no compulsion toward religion and no discrimination based on beliefs.
• Basis for religious freedom in the First Amendment and Bill of Rights.

Equality and Suffrage Post-War

• Spirit of independence led to a desire for equality, but no state had universal suffrage.
• Voting rights tied to property ownership; land grants to veterans increased suffrage.
• Grant of 1.5 million acres in 1787 settled debts and populated western lands.

New States and Land Ordinances

• Western lands treated as equals to original states.
• Land ordinances created in 1785 to pattern and manage land, excluding slavery in the Northwest.
• Mason-Dixon line divided slavery regions, affecting pre-Civil War America.

Post-War Trade and Economic Challenges

• States expanded trade globally but struggled with currency issues.
• Articles of Confederation criticized for economic weakness, not military.

Calls for a Stronger Government

• Wealthy businesspersons in need of a stronger government for currency regulation.
• Debt payment issues threatened citizens' property and voting rights.

Shays' Rebellion

• Farmers struggled with debts post-war, leading to Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts.
• Rebellion led by Daniel Shays; tactics reminiscent of Revolutionary War protest.
• Exaggerated threats led to calls for stronger central government.

Revising the Articles of Confederation

• Initial goal was to revise the Articles, but discussions led to the idea of a new republic.
• Constitutional Convention of 1787 held in secrecy to draft a new Constitution.

Constitutional Convention and Key Figures

• 39 men signed the new Constitution; average age 42, many were war veterans.
• George Washington elected as president of the Convention.
• James Madison's Virginia Plan proposed a new national government.

Slavery and Representation Issues

• South Carolina and Georgia demanded protection of slavery.
• Three-fifths Compromise reached for slave representation.
• Slavery not mentioned explicitly; referred to as "property" in the Constitution.

Federal Government Structure and Concerns

• Concerns about state size affecting representation and power.
• Creation of a weak presidency to avoid tyranny; war declarations reserved for Congress.
• Impeachment as a safeguard against presidential corruption.

Conclusion

• Discussion on the new Constitution and its reception to be continued in the next lecture.