The Impact of the American Revolution on American Society.

The Impact of the American Revolution on American Society

Essential Question:

–Why did the Americans create the Articles of Confederation & what problems did the Articles present?

Changes to American Society The American Revolution led to

unintended social changes by forcing many Americans to question the meaning of “equality”–Many wanted to eliminate the

idea of an American aristocracyaristocracy–Fighting British tyranny made

slavery seem hypocritical; Abolitionist sentiment grew

–Women gained increased status

States abolished “feudal” laws of primogeniture & entail

Many states lowered property qualifications to vote; but none offered universal male suffrageuniversal male suffrageMost states clearly separated church & state

Blacks demanded the right to freedom in petitions & lawsuits

Franklin, Jay, Hamilton founded abolition societies; Washington manumittedmanumitted his slaves

VT, PA, MA abolished slavery

Some Southern slave owners privately freed their slaves“Republican MotherhoodRepublican Motherhood”—mothers

should instill virtue in their childrenTook greater control over family farms & businesses

Benjamin Banneker & Phillis Wheatley

Postponing Full LibertyThe Revolution was limited in its

extension of rights & failed to abolish slavery, grant universal male suffrage, or apply equality to women; But…

…it introduced the ideal of freedom and equality that future generations would use to make these ideals a reality

World War I propaganda poster

New State & National Governments

Forming New GovernmentsWhen independence was declared

from England in 1776, colonists considered themselves a new nation & needed a new gov’t:–Colonies became individually

sovereign statesstates governed by written state constitutions

–A national gov’tnational gov’t was needed to provide basic services like sign treaties & develop a military

In 1776, the American Revolution has just started; The colonists did not wait to gain British recognition of their independence

before creating new governments!

States ConstitutionsIn 1776, the new states created

written constitutions which:–Clearly defined the citizens’

rights & the limits of government–Guaranteed natural rights;

Eight states had bills of rights –Almost all states reduced the

powers of the governor & kept most power in the hands of the people via state legislatures

The United States, 1783How “democratic” are these new state gov’ts?

Defining Republican Culture But, creating a national gov’t that

met everyone’s needs was hard:– How to balance individual libertyindividual liberty

with maintaining ordermaintaining order?– How to balance property rightsproperty rights

with equalityequality?– How to create a centralized centralized

gov’tgov’t without creating a new tyrannical authoritytyrannical authority?

Defining Republican Culture Americans set out to create a

republicanrepublican form of government after independence was declared:–Gov’t with no king or aristocracy–With power held by the citizens

Even though all previous republics had failed, Americans were optimistic this would be an “uncompromising commitment to liberty & equality”

Civic virtuevirtue is now a necessity

The Articles of ConfederationIn 1775, three committees were

formed to sever ties with England and avoid a tyranical government: –Thomas Jefferson headed the

committee to draft a declaration of independence

–John Adams headed committee to establish foreign alliances

–John Dickinson headed a committee to draft a new central “republican” government

Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation was

adopted as America’s 1st national gov’t in 1777 (but ratified in 1781)–The Articles established an

intentionally weak central gov’t in order to protect state power

–The confederation-style gov’t gave all 13 states 1 vote in a unicameral congress

–There was no national president

Each state was treated as a pseudo-nation

Too similar to a monarch

The Articles of ConfederationThe only powers granted to the

national government were to–Settle disputes between states,

negotiate treaties, handle Indian affairs, oversee a military

It could not tax citizens or states; could only request contributions

Laws required 9 of the 13 states!Amending the gov’t required

agreement by all 13 states

The Articles were created to loosely tie the states together

““A firm league A firm league of friendship”of friendship”

The colonies were loosely joined to address common

problems

"each State retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power...which is not...

expressly delegated to the United States.…"

Western LandsThe “West” presented a problem:

–Many states had overlapping land claims in the West

–Some “landless” states (MD, NJ, DE) wanted part of West & refused to ratify the Articles without this issue resolved

–The US gov’t negotiated treaties with Indians to gain land in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky

The United States, 1783The USA in the “Critical Period”

Western LandsVirginia took the lead to solve the

“West problem” by ceding its western claims to the national gov’t –Other states, especially NY,

ceded their western lands too–By 1781, Congress (not the

states) gained control over all lands west of the Appalachians

With dispute over, Maryland was the last state to ratify the Articles

With the new gov’t finally ratified in 1781, Congress created the Departments of

War, Foreign Affairs, & Finance

Western Land

Claims

Ceded by the States

Don’t forget Indian lands tooDon’t forget Indian lands tooIndian Land Cessions:1768-1799

The Land Ordinance of 1785The U.S. gov’t was eager to sell

off Western lands to settlers to gain revenue (since the gov’t did not have the power to tax)

–The Land Ordinance of 1785Land Ordinance of 1785 established an orderly process for laying out western townships

–Section 16 of the each township was dedicated to public schools

The Northwest OrdinanceThe Northwest OrdinanceNorthwest Ordinance (1787)

gave structure to the NW territory:–Created new territories, ruled by

a governor, & whose citizens were protected by a bill of rights

–Residents could create a legislative assembly when the population reached 5,000

–Residents could apply for statehood with 60,000 people

–Slavery outlawed in NW lands

The United States, 1783Because of the 1785 & 1787 ordinances, the Northwest territories

were well organized & orderly

Territories south of the Ohio River received less attention from Congress

Prospectors poured into Kentucky & Tennessee

By 1790, the region was plagued by land claims & counterclaims that generated lawsuits for years

The USA in

1787

ConclusionsThe Articles of Confederation

accomplished exactly what its framers intended:–By creating a weak central gov’t, the

power of the states was preserved & no tyrants emerged!

–The weaknesses of the central gov’t failed to meet the long-term needs of the new USA