Unit 3 Themes

Identity: How did different social group identities evolve during the revolutionary struggle?  How did leaders of the new United States attempt to form a national identity?

Two main groups evolved from the American Revolution. The first were loyal to the British (they were called torys). The second were loyal to the Americans. After the American Revolution Alexander Hamilton attempted to unify the states by having the federal government take on all of the state debts. 

Work, Exchange, and Technology: How did the newly independent United States attempt to formulate a national economy?

Alexander Hamilton's plan was for the Federal government to absorb all of the state debt and turn it into a national debt. He would then increase tariffs on foreign trades to help pay off that debt and he taxed whiskey. Hamilton hoped that as the upper class and government got richer money would trickle down the ranks to the common class. 

Peopling: How did the revolutionary struggle and its aftermath reorient white-American Indian relations and affect subsequent population movements?

After the British were booted out of power there was no one holding the western expansion back. As new Americans began to pour over the Appalachians they came into conflict with the NAtive Americans.

Politics and Power: How did the ideology behind the revolution affect power relationships between different ethnic, racial, and social groups?

The idea of "Life Liberty and Happiness" and "all men are equal" affected the way men in the government thought of slavery. They realized that they were hypocrites for not letting this apply to slaves, but because it was the only form of labor they had the government kept slaves oppressed. Women were affected by the American Revolution. The idea of "republican motherhood" came into play and their jobs as rearers of the children became more and more important. 

America in the World: How did the revolution become an international conflict involving competing European and American powers?

During the American Revolution the French and Spanish both secretly aided the Americans. After the battle of Saratoga the French openly aided the Americans. The British and French have forever been sworn enemies and wherever there were french and british territories side by side wars and skirmishes were soon to follow. 

Environment and Geography: How did the geographical and environment characteristics of regions open up to white settlements after 1763 affect their subsequent development?

The Proclamation of 1763 bottled colonists to East of the Appalachians. Many colonists were unhappy about this and chose to ignore the proclamation and continue Westward. The area was developed very sparsely because of this.

Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture: Why did the patriot cause spread so quickly among the colonists after 1763?  How did the republican ideals of the revolutionary cause affect the nation’s political culture after independence?

Colonists felt that they were entitled to the Ohio river area after they had fought the French and Indian war. The Proclamation of 1763 angered them and made many simply ignore the British authority. Since America was formed by a rebellion the government had to be careful about becoming another "british parliament" that would squash rebellions with force. 

Six Degrees of Seperation 1607-1800 (not done)

1607 – 1800 

Six Degrees of Separation

1607 Jamestown was founded

1608 - Quebec is founded. The placement of Quebec sets itself up to run into conflict with the English. The French wanted to connect Quebec with their other colony New Orleans which would cut off English's ability to expand. This is not okay with the English because they have to expand with their plantation and population growths. this leads to the French and Indian war.

1754 French and Indian War began. It was fought for the rights of the Ohio river area. However, once the war ended and colonists began to settle in this area the native americans grew disgruntled. This led to the proclamation of 1763.

Proclamation of 1763 caused much aminosity between the British and the colonists, whom believed that they had just fought the French and Indian war to gain access to the areas that Britain was blocking off for Natives. Colonists ignored this proclamation and continued to explore throughout the west. This sets up the rebellion of the American Revolution and the first official battle of Lexington in 1775.

April 1775 battle of Lexington. After the first battle at Lexington the American Revolution simply snowballed. The British had to make an example of the colonists causing the colonists to be even more stubborn about their resistance. This led to the Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence 1776. After the Declaratio of Independence was issued there was no turning back. The colonists had to either fight or submit. They chose to fight, and eventually win at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.

Battle of Yorktown 1781. After the end of the war in 1781 the continental congress was not fit to run a nation. Therefore they needed something to bind America together so the drafting of the constitution begun.

May 25 1787 drafting of constitution began. The constitution was supposed to be just an edit of the already in place Articles of Confederation. When it was put out that it was a whole new constitution the issue was very debated. To persuade states to ratify the constitution the Federalist papers were published.

1787 Federalist papers were published. The federalist papers allowed for the constitution to be ratified. The new congress needed a leader and they elected a president.

Election of 1800 between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

Chapter 9 questions

The Pursuit of Equality

Know:    Leveling, Society of the Cincinnati, Virginia Statute for   Religious Freedom, Abigail Adams, Republican Motherhood, John Singleton Copley

1.         What social changes resulted from the American Revolution?  

Commoners requested tp be called "mr" and "mrs" (previously words reserved for upper class land owners) Trade organizations for artisans and laborers sprung up. Primogeniture was discouraged. Slavery was either abolished or gradually emancipated in the Northern states. Mothers were given an elevated status as the idea of "republican motherhood" spread. 

Constitution Making in the States

Know:    State Constitutions, Fundamental Law

2.         What was the importance of the state constitutions?

The state constitutions (such as Massachusetts) was imitated in the drafting and ratification of the federal Constitution. As written documents the state constitutions were intended to represent a fundamental law. All of them deliberately created weak executive and judicial branches, at least by present-day standards. 

Economic Crosscurrents

Know:    Navigation Laws, Empress of China, Speculation

3.         What were the positive and negative effects of the war on America?

 The economy was hit hard. After the colonists were no longer part of Britain British trade was cut off for loyal colonies. Fisheries were disrupted. However, the new Americans could now trade with the rest of the world very profitably. Many people had earned high profits off of the war (up to 300%) this new class was very rich. The controversy leading to the the REvolutionary War had bred a keen distaste for taxes and encouraged disrespect for the majesty of the law generally. 

A Shaky Start toward Union

Know:    Natural Rights

4.         Why was the end of the war difficult on the national government?

They had to figure out how to form the new government. It is always difficult to form a new government, but doubly so a new type of government. During the war the colonists were united against Britain, but now that was taken away from them. British goods flooded the American markets at very low prices. 

Creating a Confederation

Know:    Sovereignty, Articles of Confederation

5.             What forces served to unify the separate states during the war?

Public lands ceded to the central government proved to be an invaluable bond of union. Congress pledges to dispose of the area of land that NewYork gave up for the "common benefit". This appeased maryland and the other small states that did not have western claims. 

The Articles of Confederation: America's First Constitution

6.         What weaknesses plagued the Articles of Confederation? What was good about it?

The states had more power than the federal government. The Articles of Confederation had no power to regulate commerce or demand that it's request for taxes be met. The Articles of Confederation outlined what powers the central government could have such as making treaties and establishing a postal service. They kept alive the idea of union and held the states together. The article of Confederation provided a stepping stone to form the Constitution of the United States. 

Landmarks in Land Laws

Know:    Old Northwest, Land Ordinance of 1785, Northwest Ordinance of 1787

7.         Explain the importance of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance.

The land ordinance of 1785 provided that the acreage of the Old Northwest should be sold and that the proceeds should be used to help pay off the national debt.  To do this they sen surveyors to survey the old north west wich contrasted greatly with the settlement of the Ohio River area where uncertain ownership was  the normal.  Also it made it so that a parcel of land in each town would be reserved for a public school. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 made it so that the new areas that the federal government was selling would have two stages, first it would be territories of the United States, and then once they had 60,000 people they would be considered states with the same privileges as the 13 original colonies.  It also forbade slaver (excluding the slaves already there) in the new territories. 

The World's Ugly Duckling

Know:    Natchez, Dey of Algiers

 8.        Using examples, explain the title of this section.

Foreign relations with other countries such as Britain, France and Spain were all strained. The new republic was government that no one had really seen before and it was shunned. 

The Horrid Specter of Anarchy

Know:    Shay's Rebellion, Mobocracy

 9.        Were the United States of America in danger of falling apart under the Articles of Confederation? Explain.

Yes, individual states were getting out of hand. Quarrels over boundaries erupted and states taxed good coming from other states in or out of their borders. Shay's REbellion is an example of this agitation. 

A Convention of "Demigods"

Know:    George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry

10.        What kind of men gathered in Philadelphia for the "sole and express purpose of revising" the old government?

The men gathered in Philadelphia were a select group of young propertied men. Most of them were lawyers and had experience in forming the constitutions in their own states. They were nationalists, interested in helping the country, not themselves. 

Patriots in Philadelphia

11.        How does George Washington's quote, "We have, probably, had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation." help to explain the purposes of our founding fathers.           

  The quote implies that our perception of human nature was that it was good, and that perception led to too much freedom and independence. The purpose of the founding fathers was to form a confederation in which this clouded perception of human nature wouldn’t hinder the effectiveness of the new nation.

Hammering out a Bundle of Compromises

Know:    Virginia (large state) Plan, Bicameral Legislature, New Jersey (small state) Plan, Great Compromise, Electoral College, Three-fifths Compromise

12.        Describe the compromises that were achieved by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention.

The Great Compromise was a compromise between large and small states. The large states were given representation by population in the house and the small states made it so that everyone got equal representation in the senate (each state got 2 senators) They agreed that every tax bill or revenue measure must originate in the house. The method of electing the President through the Electoral college was a compromise as well. Also, the three fifths compromise provided that slaves counted as 3/5ths of a person (which is still in the constitution according to John Greene).

Safeguards for Conservatism

Know:    Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers

13.        How democratic was the Constitution as originally written?  

It supported the two main ideas of democracy: that it was for the people and that the power of the government should be limited. 

The Clash of Federalists and Antifederalists

Know:    Antifederalists, Federalists

14.        Who were the antifederalists and why did they oppose the Constitution?

Antifederalists were generally back country poor farmers they opposed the Constitution because they felt that the strong government would take away their rights and force them to pay off their debts that they had incurred. They also argued against the election of president through the electoral college and the nonuse of god in the papers. 

The Great Debate in the States

15.        Did most of the states approve of the Constitution?  Why?

Four of the smaller states quickly approved the Constitution, and Pennsylvania was the first of the larger states to approve it as well. In Massachusetts, there was conflict between the supporters and critics, and Massachusetts finally approved it after a bill of rights was guaranteed to be added later. Three more states approved, and on June 21, 1788, the Constitution was accepted after nine states (all but New York, Virginia, Rhode Island, and North Carolina) had ratified it.

The Four Laggard States

Know:    Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, The Federalist

16.        Explain some of the opposition to ratification of the Constitution?

     New York was influenced by The Federalist Papers, written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, and finally gave in after realizing that it couldn’t flourish separately from the union. North Carolina and Rhode Island finally approved it after intensive insisting from the government.

A Conservative Triumph 

17.        What does your text mean when it says that the Constitution, "...elevated the ideals of the Revolution even while setting boundaries to them."?

Conservationism was successful, as safety measures had been created against mobocracy. Revolutionaries against Britain were overturned by rebels disobeying the Articles. It was like a form of counterrevolution. Federalists thought that the people were well represented by the different branches of the government, unlike Anti-federalists who thought that it was only the Legislative Branch of the Government that represented the people well

The Constitution: Revolutionary or Counterrevolutionary?

Know:    Nationalist School of Historians, Critical Period, Charles Beard, Gordon Wood

18.        Why have historians disagreed about the reason why our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution?

To some scholars, the creation of the federal system was an effort to preserve the ideals of the Revolution by eliminating the disorder and contention that threatened the new nation; it was an effort to create a strong national government capable of exercising real authority. To others, the Constitution was an effort to protect the economic interests of existing elites, even at the cost of betraying the principles of the Revolution. And to still others, the Constitution was designed to protect individual freedom and to limit the power of the federal government.

Interesting Podcast on Jurisdiction

radiolab.org

American Revolution Podcast Notes

·      April 1775 British dispatched troops to Lexington and Concord to confiscate the weapons and capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

·      This causes Paul Revere’s midnight ride

·      British: 300 casualties Colonists: 70

·      For the first time British vs colonists had fired upon one another

·      Second Continental Congress May 1775 – for the purpose of managing a war. Did not have intention of breaking away from Great Britain. Appoints George Washington as the commander of the Continental army. They also attempt to reconcile with Great Britain (olive Branch Petition) but the king (and many colonists reject this).

·      To ask society to break away from the only structure of government that they have ever had is asking a lot.

·      It takes awhile to get people mentally prepared. Thomas Paine wrote “common sense”. The only way that the colonies will ever be free from British Tyranny is for the colonists to break away completely from Britain. Common Sense is very popular at the time. It helps the colonists wrap their minds around breaking from Britain.

·      Declaration of Independence – 1776 written by Jefferson Franklin and Adams

·      Three parts:

·  1: Preamble- states human rights

·  2: Catalog of the grievances the colonists had against King George III and the British government

·  3: Announces the break from Britain

·      The British thought that the Americans had a great deal of nerve

·      The British also felt that the colonists were hypocritical because they had slaves

Articles of Confederation

·      Articles of Confederation 1777 ratified by 1781 it was a weak form of government

·      They replaced the continental congress.

·      It has the powers to conduct war, maintain foreign relation and borrow or issue and appropriate money

·      It does not allow the government to regulate trade (Due to: Navigation laws)

·      It could not levy taxes (this entire agitation came from the taxes by the British)

·      Could not raise troops, has to ask the states(causes an issue because they have to ask the states for money and troops, but cannot require them to pay anything. In most cases the states only provided a small portion of what was needed)

·      There is no executive

·      Committee of enforcement

·      No federal courts

·      Disputes between states don’t have an authority to appeal to (like the supreme court)

·      In order to get the Articles of Confederation to be ratified itt takes all 13 colonies to agree

·      1777- continental congress takes the property from loyalists and sells it at auction

·      Continental congress gives land rewards to people so that men will sign up for military service

·       

·       

·      Battle on Bunker hill – gives morale boost for colonists

·      1776 Battle of Trenton

·      British tried to capture large city, but only 10% of the population lives in cities

·      Gilford Court House- British won, but lost so many soldiers it might be a loss. They left the wounded behind. The wounded are then taken in by Quakers whom help them. Quakers stuffed their wounds with moldy bread which prevented infection. This caused the soldier to have a higher living rate than other wounded.

·      The war did not eliminate the issues between social classes. It did bring a sense of unity and nationality. Loyalists property was not restored so it was spread out between a lot of people. It set the states in the north a coarse to abolition slavery (by mid 1830s) Southerners relax on a lot of slave laws. Women receive more rights due to the war. In New England women are the same legal status as men in terms of divorce. Politically it led to new state constitutions (these state powers are still very weak). 11 states have bicameral (two houses). Voting has expanded to more people, but still had property requirements, had to be free white male (except for New Jersey you could be a woman). The Criminal code is reformed (meaning who could be executed).  5 states established public schools. The constitutional convention allows for the people of the state to come together in a political fashion and change the system. Most states also adopt a bill of rights. Results in the world’s first true democracy, but is not as radical as often portrayed.

American Revolution Flashcards

Revolutionary War Questions

1.  What actions did the Second Continental Congress take in 1775?

On June 15^th, the Second Continental congress decided to raise an army, and appointed George Washington to lead it. They chose Washington because he was from the South, and they needed to win the delegates from the south. They also created a committee for the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. The Second continental congress also established the Olive Branch petition to reconcile with Britain. 

2.  What traits did Washington display as commander of the Revolutionary Army?

He had military experience, and was in the second continental congress. Also, he showed that he wanted to be a commander because he wore his old military uniform to the Philadelphia meeting. Washington had outstanding leadership and patience. He realised that the war only required him to live out the British, not necessarily to defeat them. 

3.  What was important about the colonial invasion of Canada in 1775?

The colonists invaded Canada for three primary reasons. One, they thought that Canada would become a 14th colony. Two, they wished to boot out the British's foothold in North America. Three, by taking Canada, the colonists would have more supplies to fight the British with. The colonists hoped that the Canadians would rise up against Britain as well. The invasion was almost successful, unfortunately the battle of quebec was lost because Benedict Arnold had to wait for Montgomery to arrive. 

4.  When did England consider America to be in rebellion?

England considered America to be in rebellion after the Boston Tea Party. As King George said to his Prime Minister, “The colonies must either submit or triumph.” In August 1775 the King declared that the colonies were in rebellion.

5.  Why did the colonists delay declaring independence until July, 1776?

The colonists delayed declaring independence until July 1776 due to two reasons. One, they still felt a sense of attachment to their mother country causing them to attempt at reconciliation. Two, the colonists were worried that they would not be able to contend with the major super power of Britain. 

6.  What were the three parts of the Declaration of Independence (read it from the back of your book)?  

The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and approved by congress. It allowed Americans to appeal for foreign aid and served as an inspiration for later revolutionary movements worldwide (such as the French Revolution). The three parts that the Declaration of Independence states that people have natural rights, list grievances against the kings, and declares the colonies free and independent.  

7.  Who proposed the idea of independence to the Continental Congress?

The Idea of Independence was actually John Adam's but because he knew that people wouldn't vote for it if he was the proposer he asked Richard Henry Lee to do it. Richard Henry Lee proposed the idea of independence to the continental congress on June 7, 1776 but it wasn’t adopted until July 2,1776.

8.  What were the major points of Thomas Paine's Common Sense?

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was an influential pamphlet that challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. He spoke in simple language that allowed common people to understand him. His main points was that governments, in order to be successful, must be simple (Britain's was not), any government with check and balances could not be trusted, hereditary rights such as the passing of titles is not okay because it takes away the rights from your grandchildren to vote. He used these examples to urge a break from Britain and to form a democratic Republic. 

9.  What is a republic?

A republic is a form of government where the people, not a monarch, is in charge. 

10.  What percentage of Americans supported the revolution?

15 to 20 percent of Americans supported the revolution.

11.  What were the characteristics of those who continued to support Britain?

Supporters of Britain were often called "loyalists" or "Tories". The general Tory was of an older generation (they often had closer ties to Britain) and of the upper social class. After all, if you are rich and have been living in your way for most of your lifetime, why revolt? The Loyalists felt that they would be the first to get back in with the crown's good graces and that the revolutionists were simply rebel rousers looking for trouble. 

12.  What was the British military strategy early in the war?

The British wanted to separate the colonists from any possible income (ie trading). They blockaded certaina reas from trade. The British wanted to make the colonists distrust, and dislike each other (Loyalists vs Americans) . They tried to get the Indians on their side so that the Americans would have less allies. Furthermore, the British took the large cities thinking that that would stop the colonists, but they instead stayed the back country. 

13.  What battle convinced the French that the Americans could win the war?

The Battle of Saratoga proved to the French that the Americans could win the war. This led to foreign aid from the French which greatly helped combat the British navy

14.  What was the impact of French assistance during the Revolutionary War?

The French had three hugely important things to help the Americans fight the British. First off, they had a Navy, whom baited the British Navy away from Yorktown. Secondly, they had money. The colonists' economy was in the fritz and a wealthy benefactor like France allowed them to bank roll the revolution. Thirdly, the French supplied troops to the depleting American forces. One of the most important generals was La Fayette a french officer. 

15.  Why did Native Americans generally support the British?

The Native Americans thought that they would be able to keep their land if the British won because the British had issued the Proclamation of 1763. The Iroquois are divided during the revolutionary war. The Iroquois confederacy is split (2 tribes joined the Americans 4 tribes joined the British) After the war they never powerful again. 

16.  What battle effectively ended the war? How long did fighting continue after the battle?

The battle at Yorktown ended the war, but small skirmishes and fighting continued up to two years afterwards. 

17.  What were the instructions given by the Continental Congress to American diplomats working on the peace treaty with Britain? Did they listen?

The three people who negotiated the Treaty of Paris were Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams. It resulted in the end of the revolutionary war. It recognized the United States as it's own country. In addition they gave the United States generous boundaries from Mississippi to Great Lakes to Florida. The Yankees were allowed to maintain a share of the fisheries in Newfoundland. The Canadians were deeply displeased with that decision. The continental congress told the diplomats to work with the French, but the diplomats did not listen. 

18.  Why were the British so generous in their peace terms with the Americans?

The British hoped to reestablish good relationship terms with the Americans so that they could continue trade with the colonies. 

19.  What happened to the Loyalists following the Revolution?

The Peace Treaty of Paris made sure that the Loyalists would not be persecuted for their siding with the British. However, many fled to Canada or foreign countries to live under British rule. Some also stayed in America.