Homework: 1. Begin preparing for discussions by completing a discussion post on Canvas (directions are on Canvas): Red = Fri 9/4 Purple = Tues 9/8

Transcription

1 Class 1: Colonial History Review The Founding Period: Ideals, Contradictions, and Uncertainties Agenda Objective: 1. To refresh our memory of colonial American history. 2. To analyze the Declaration of Independence and its role in the founding vision of America. 3. To analyze the Constitution and its role in the founding vision of America. 4. To develop a preliminary understanding of the founding vision of America. Schedule: 1. Lecture and Discussion Homework: 1. Begin preparing for discussions by completing a discussion post on Canvas (directions are on Canvas): Red = Fri 9/4 Purple = Tues 9/8

2 The Founding Period: Ideals, Contradictions, and Uncertainties Introductory Unit Our introductory unit will look at the founding period of American history ( ) In particular we will look at the Constitution, supported by other founding documents, to analyze the ideals, contradictions, and uncertainties contained in our founding texts. We will do so with a particular focus on our course themes. We will do this through a series of discussions.

3 British Colonization 1607: First British settlement at Jamestown 1630: British Puritans establish Massachusetts Bay Colony 1733: 13 original Colonies established Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

4 Colonial History in a Nutshell Each colony developed its own system of self-government Population was growing rapidly Steady flow of Northern European immigrants Slave system in the South Slaves comprised 20% of American population in 1770s More and more taxes being imposed by the British on the colonies in an effort to raise money to pay off debts incurred during the French and Indian War

5 Build Up to War Boston Tea Party (1773) Protest against increased British taxes First Continental Congress (1774) Convention of delegates from 12 colonies (no Georgia) Called for a boycott of British trade Published a list of grievances against the king and petitioned him to redress these grievances Second Continental Congress (1775) Convention of delegates from 13 colonies Met in response of the failure of the king to address the list of grievances from the First Continental Congress Adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776

6 Declaration of Independence Document in which the thirteen colonies declared that they were no longer a part of the British empire, but rather were a series of independent states First time a people had formally and successfully claimed independence from the imperial power that ruled them Primary Author: Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776

7 Declaration of Independence First of the founding documents we will be considering Document lays out guiding principles / vision for the values on which the new nation will be founded Let s briefly discuss: What is the political theory laid out by the document?

8 American Revolutionary War British vs. Continental Army Americans received supplies and support from the French Americans win Result is that the United States is created as a separate nation

9 Now What? America was now confronted with the challenge of establishing a government for the new nation. What does the Declaration of Independence suggest about what this new government might look like?

10 Class 2: Colonial History Review The Founding Period: Ideals, Contradictions, and Uncertainties Agenda Objective: 1. To analyze the Constitution and its role in the founding vision of America. 2. To develop a preliminary understanding of the founding vision of America. Schedule: 1. Lecture and Discussion Homework: 1. Prep for 1 st Discussion: Balance between Democracy and Authority & Struggle for Equality 2. Optional: Keep conversation going on posts (might really help you with class conversations) Red = Wed 9/9 Purple = Thurs 9/10

11 Some great posts last night on Canvas some thoughts Takeaways- Re-read Anti-Federalist papers! FULL of SATIRE and Contempt dig into why. Regarding the Ladies /Slave Petition comments about why not MORE forceful think context. How/Why are they playing within the rules of the system? Madison and Property importance of possessing property and how creates have s/have nots Washington s Farewell Address often overlooked. Great insight into how implementation of Constitution is going articulates warnings/concerns

12 Do you remember why the Articles of Confederation failed? First national constitution (November 1777)

13 Articles of Confederation First national constitution (November 1777) Articles of Confederation proved inadequate in the face of two post-war crisis: Economic Depression Significant post-war debt Inability for Americans to obtain loans Currency shortages Shay s Rebellion (1786) Armed uprising throughout central and western Massachusetts by rural war veterans over economic conditions Successfully shut down courts throughout Mass No strong federal government to intervene; state of Mass had to find volunteers to raise an independent army In light of the nation s economic problems and Shay s Rebellion some began to call for a new constitution that had a stronger national government.

14 Constitutional Convention May 1787 Goal was to create a new constitution--a new design--for the American government. 55 delegates representing each state--except Rhode Island who opposed an increase in central authority. Most delegates were men of property, merchants, or slaveholding planters. Who were they NOT?

15 The Constitutional Convention The Convention drafted a constitution which consisted of a preamble and seven articles. You should all be familiar with this text! To be accepted as the new law of the land required 9 states to approve. Two parties soon emerged one in support of ratification and one opposed. Federalists (supported ratification) Anti-Federalists (opposed ratification)

16 Who Were the Federalists? Alexander Hamilton ( ) Was the primary intellectual force for nationalism throughout the founding period Was Washington s most trusted advisor Was the principle architect of the nation s economic policy as Secretary of the Treasury. James Madison ( ) Was the principle architect of the Constitution. Delegate to the Virginia Ratification Convention John Jay ( ) President of the Continental Congress Governor of New York State The Federalist Papers Series of 85 articles or essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution published in The Independent Journal and the The New York Packet between Written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay Published under the pseudonym Publius to keep their anonymity.

17 Who Were the Anti-Federalists? George Mason ( ) Wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, detailing specific rights of citizens, which became the model for the Declaration of Independence and the first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Patrick Henry ( ) Prominent figure in the Revolution, known for his Give me liberty or give me death speech, Governor of Virginia Others George Clinton, Robert Yates, Samuel Bryan, Richard Henry Lee Writings Wrote independently Unlike the Federalists, never had a coordinated writing effort Wrote under pseudonyms: Cato, Brutus, Centinel, and Federal Farmer

18 Understanding the Federalists and Anti-Federalists Federalists Anti-Federalists

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20 Federalists and Anti-Federalists Discussion How would each group respond/relate to our themes? Democracy and Authority? Equality and Hierarchy? Economics? Foreign Policy

21 Compromise: Ratification and the Bill of Rights Overall, the Federalists were more organized in their efforts and had a wider readership of their essays. However, the Anti-Federalists were influential and were successful at preventing ratification until a Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments of the Constitution What do they say? Following the addition of the Bill of Rights the Constitution was ratified.

22 Reason for the Bill of Rights Fulfill the Promise to Anti-Federalists Limit the National Government Protect the States Create Legally Enforceable Rules

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24 The Two-Party System Following ratification, the divisions between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists coalesced around the issue of federalism. Federalists favored broad, loose construction of the Constitution and strong national powers. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and John Marshall were proponents of this general philosophy. Anti-Federalists favored strictconstruction of the Constitution and advocated popular (State s) rights against what they saw as aristocratic, centralizing tendencies of their opponents. Thomas Jefferson s Democratic-Republican Party formed around these beliefs In one form or another, these two competing philosophies have dominated American politics throughout its 200-year history from the Civil War to regulating the economy during the New Deal to current debates over abortion.

25 Our Task From Here: Class Driven Discussions You take the stage! Let s talk details

26 Discussion Set up/ Expectations First debate next Wed for Red and Thurs for Purple. We will have 2 discussions, one on Democracy and Authority and one on Struggle for Equality. You will be placed in one discussion, to be announced on debate day. Prepare for both: Bring in ALL materials to help you! (copy of essay, source docs, notes)

27 United States Census 1790 and Representation in the Congress of 1793 State Free White Males (16 and over) Free White Males (Under 16) Free Whites Females All Other Free Persons Slaves Total Population Number of Representatives in the House of Representatives 1793 Connecticut 60,523 54, ,7448 2,808 2, ,946 7 Delaware 11,783 12,143 22,384 3,899 8,887 59,094 1 Georgia 13,103 14,044 25, ,264 82,548 2 Kentucky 15,154 17,057 28, ,430 73,677 2 Maine 24,384 24,748 46, ,540 N/A Maryland 55,915 51, ,395 8, , ,728 8 Massachusetts 95,453 87, ,582 5, , New Hampshire 36,086 34,851 70, ,885 4 New Jersey 45,251 41,416 83,287 2,762 11, ,139 5 New York 83,700 78, ,320 4,654 21, , North Carolina 69,988 77, ,710 4, , , Pennsylvania 110, , ,363 6,537 3, , Rhode Island 16,019 15,799 32,652 3, ,825 2 South Carolina 35,576 37,722 66,880 1, , ,073 6

28 Shay s Rebellion scene.do?shortname=arsenal

29 The You Knew Some Stuff Well Done Award goes to Aidan Braun!!! 3 way tie for Runner Up: Sabrina, Jack, Emma