Chapter 6: The State of the Nation Post-War (1783-1788)

The State of the Nation at War's End (1783-1788)

• The Articles of Confederation were ineffective due to the inability to collect taxes, govern properly, and address issues quickly.
• The first US political party, the Federalists (Liberals), emerged, advocating for a strong federal government able to tax. Key figures were Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, John Jay, and James Madison.
• Anti-Federalists (Conservatives) opposed a strong central government; key figures included Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and James Monroe.
• Economic problems first hit Massachusetts, leading to tax rebellions by farmers in western Massachusetts (Shays' Rebellion). Farmers were unable to pay taxes due to low crop yields and foreclosures on their farms.
• Led by Daniel Shays, 1,500 armed farmers attacked courthouses with the intent to march to Boston.
• The rebellion was put down, but it highlighted the need for a stronger national government to address such insurrections.
• Rumors and panic spread about the rebellion among the elite, exaggerating its scope and influence.
• Supporters of a strong national government advocated for a revision of the Articles.
• Abigail Adams, a wealthy Eastern Massachusettes elite, viewed Shays' rebels as ignorant and lawless, a detrimental element to the struggle for stability. Thomas Jefferson countered this sentiment by comparing the need for revolution with the necessity to nurture liberty and democratic principles.

Creating a Government: Writing the U.S. Constitution

• The Articles of Confederation failed because each state functioned essentially as an independent nation. There was no national mechanism to tax or enforce laws creating a lack of unity amongst states.

• In 1786, five states sent delegates to the Annapolis Convention to discuss weaknesses in the Articles. Hamilton urged Congress to convene in 1787 to address the government's shortcomings.

• The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise, but ultimately rewrite the Articles of Confederation.

• Fifty-five delegates from twelve states attended the convention. Rhode Island did not attend. Delegates were young, college-educated, representing various professions (farmers, merchants, lawyers and bankers).

• Key figures like Washington, Madison, and Franklin, attended, but some key figures like Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were absent.

• Madison proposed the Virginia Plan, proposing a bicameral Congress based on proportional representation tied to population per state, empowering Congress to collect taxes, regulate commerce,and veto state laws.

• The Virginia Plan focused on creating a strong national executive and federal courts.

• Smaller states opposed the Virginia Plan because it gave disproportionate power to larger states; the New Jersey plan was introduced which advocated for equal state representation in a unicameral Congress in contrast.

• The Great Compromise resolved the standoff. Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on population. The Senate would provide equal representation for each state with two senators.

• The delegates agreed that a single executive would be needed but were unsure of the selection process.

• The Electoral College emerged as a compromise selection method for the president, allowing each state a certain number of Electoral Votes based on their representation in Congress (senators + representatives).

• The delegates debated presidential power and ultimately granted the president limited powers to sign laws into effect, veto power, commander-in-chief powers, and the power to appoint officials and judges.

• The Supreme Court was established with power to declare laws unconstitutional. Fear of tyranny of the majority motivated the delegates.

• The issue of slavery was highly controversial. The North advocated for its abolition; the South relied on it economically. The result was the 3/5th Compromise (slaves counted as 3/5 of a person) and agreement that Congress could prohibit the importation of slaves in 1808. Runaway slaves were to be returned to their owners from states they had fled.

• The Constitution was sent to the states for ratification. Nine states needed to approve it. Federalist Papers were written to advocate for the Constitution.

• Key figures like Madison, Jay, and Hamilton were authors of Federalist Papers.

• Virginia and New York ultimately approved the Constitution, but only after debates among Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Anti-Federalist concern lead to a call for a Bill of Rights.

• The Constitution was enacted and became the law of the land on September 17, 1789.