Post-Revolutionary War and Shays Rebellion

• Post-Revolutionary War conditions were challenging due to wartime destruction in the South and closed West Indies markets.
• Shays Rebellion in Massachusetts highlighted the crisis, as farmers unable to pay taxes and debts faced land seizure, leading to revolt and attempts to seize weapons.
• The events caused the realization that the USA was in serious trouble.
• People began to question slavery.
• Between 1776 and 1786, 11 states (excluding Georgia) outlawed or taxed the importation of enslaved people.
• Although slavery wasn't a significant labor source in the North, many advocated for its end.
• Free African Americans still faced discrimination, being barred from most schools.
• White individuals did not want to mix and often created separate churches.
• The majority of Americans understood the need for a new form of national government
• James Madison (Virginia), and Alexander Hamilton (New York) were committed to reform.
• A convention was held in May 1787 to address trade issues and fix government problems.
• Fifty-five delegates were in attendance
• No African-Americans or Native-Americans attended.
• The convention was closed to the public, which allowed open discussion without fear of punishment
• Big and small states disagreed over the legislative branch.
• Roger Sherman of Connecticut suggested the Great Compromise.
• The compromise was for a legislature with an upper house where all states got two votes.
• Also specified a lower house with representation based on population.
• For a bill to become a law, both houses must pass it.
• People decided on the Three-Fifths Compromise, where enslaved individuals would count as three-fifths of a person for taxation and representation.
• The North wanted to end the slave trade, but the South didn't want to.
• The slave trade was allowed to continue.
• It was decided that constitution did not need a bill of rights.
• George Mason (Virginia) proposed a bill of rights, but it was not upheld.
• On September 17, 1787, delegates gathered to sign the Constitution.
• 55 men were present, but some refused to sign.
• Later the draft Constitution was sent to the states for approval.
• Nine of the 13 states needed to approve the new law of the land.

The Post-Revolutionary War period presented challenges with economic conditions and highlighted by Shays' Rebellion. Many people started questioning slavery. Realization of the need for a new government arose, leading to efforts by figures like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton to address trade issues and reform the governance system.