Ideas+for+Discussion+-+The+New+Nation,+1783-1803

**Ideas for Discussion - The New Nation, 1783-1803 **

**1. How did the Articles of Confederation reflect America’s political experiences of the previous twenty years? (Anthony) **

** The Articles of Confederation, the United States' first constitution, was reflective of the thirteen colonies' political experiences during previous twenty years (the 1760s through late 1770s) in many ways. The Articles had numerous political effects on America since their ratification in 1781, and the consequences of these effects are very much similar to the colonists' experiences during the years leading up to the Revolutionary War and those following it. (Anthony) **

** One of the most profound effects of the Articles on American politics was a fear of a more centralized power that would control the colonies. Colonists feared that a central government would be similar to England's control over America, particularly through taxation, and this fear was one of the reasons the Articles were so weak. As a result of this problem, the Congress of the Confederation held little authority over the Colonies. In addition, members of congress did not trust executive power as a result of their experiences leading up to the creation of the Articles. This dislike and fear of a central government defined the "Critical Period" and is reflective of the past twenty years' political experience in that the Americans' distrust in a newer, stronger governing power was one of the fundamental reasons that the Revolution began. (Anthony) **

** In addition to causing a widespread dislike for a centralized governing power, the Articles brought the issue of taxation into the public eye during the Critical Period; this reflects the previous twenty years, as taxation was one of the most important issues during the years leading up to the Revolution. One of the accomplishments of the Congress of the Confederation was the creation of three departments: Foreign Affairs, Finance, and War. the department of finance was headed by Robert Morris (the superintendent of finance) who insisted on making himself and the government more powerful. He wanted to accomplish this by introducing a new method of taxation in order to stabilize the government financially; he stated that " a public debt supported by public revenue will prove the strongest cement to keep our confederacy together." This idea of taxing the colonists in order to create government revenue is very similar to the British government's idea during the 1760s of taxing the colonists in order to pay off its debts from the French and Indian War. (Anthony) **

** The Articles of Confederation also dealt with land policy, and many of the Articles' effects on laws concerning land ownership reflected colonial American ideals during the previous twenty years. As a result of the Articles, Congress stated that land not within the boundaries of the original thirteen colonies was considered public land and therefore the property of the national government. This idea was unprecedented, yet the motives behind it can be seen earlier in American history. The idea of considering all the states to be equal played a key role in the Revolution, as colonists developed their own identity and sense of "Americanism" during the period of Salutary Neglect and the years preceding the Revolutionary War. (Anthony) **

** Overall, the Articles of Confederation had profound effects on the colonies that were representative of the political state in American during the twenty years leading up to their ratification in 1781. (Anthony) **

**2. Who were the supporters of the Articles of Confederation throughout the 1780s? Why did they support them? (Bunton) **


 * 3. What groups opposed the Articles? Why? (Curtis) **

Several groups opposed the articles such as bankers, merchants, and at one point, George Washington's army. These groups opposed the Articles for one main reason, it's extreme weakness regarding any financial business. The Articles "could borrow money but take no proper measures for repayment." The currency created by the Confederation (continentals) were nearly worthless and very few, if any, people accepted them. The Americans attempted reverting to specie as a form of payment however there was not enough in the country at that time to be very useful. Bankers opposed the Articles because people had little money to put in banks. This meant that the bankers made little money and lost their jobs. Merchants opposed the Articles because nobody could afford their goods. George Washington's army at one point considered a coup d'etat because their pay was late as it often was and they were beginning to worry that the Confederation would be unable to come through on their promise of pensions. This "Newburgh Conspiracy" was ended when Washington talked his men down stating that everything they fought for would be lost if they revolted. However as Congress paid off the claims of the citizens and soldiers, the debt grew from $11 million to $28 million and continued to grow. Many people began to feel that the only way to have a successful government would be to grant it more financial powers such as taxation. This w as one factor that contributed to the Constitutional Convention. (Curtis)

 **4. Was the Constitution a betrayal of the American Revolution? Why or why not? (Luchak)**

 No. While people thought that the Constitution brought too much power to the federal government by taking it from the states, if anything, the Constitution was a resolution for revolutionary debates.For those who say that the American Revolution was an objection to taxation without representation, the federal Constitution -- although permitting taxation at the federal level-- gave the states the right to object through their reperesentatives. It actually preserved individul rights through the Bill of Rights. The Constitution represented a compromise of both property and human rights. It provided defense against tyranny and the British dictatorship, and created checks and balances between the states and uncontrolled executive power. It was one of the greatest protecters of property rights. Ultimatly, the Constitution was the affirmation of the spirit of the revolution, because everyone had an opportunity to be heard, and it was a product of a compromise based upon the core values expressed in the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution was thus the resolution of the revolutionary debates, and was a glorious way to conclude the American Revolution. (Luchak)

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. What factors were most important in creating political factions (parties) in the 1790s? (Parks) **

The two most important factors in the creation of political divisions in american politics were differences in constitutional interpretation and the French Revolution. The different constitutional views led to differences on practical decisions. The best example of this would be the Federalists' support of the Bank of the United States. The federalists supported it because they considered it "necessary and proper." Also Federalists felt, since congress was given the responsibility to regulate trade and the value of the dollar, Congress should have the power to establish institutions that would aid them in this cause. Democratic-Republicans were staunch in there adversity to Hamilton's plan for the national bank. They thought it would take too much power from the states. The federalists believed in the greater cause of nation hood. The Democratic-Republicans wanted to limit the national government for two reasons: freedom and state's rights. Also the two parties separated early on because of their stance on the French Revolution. The Democratic-Republicans were supporters of the French efforts for freedom. Republicans wanted to aid them and claimed that the actions would be justified because of the current treaty in place. They remained supportive even after the Citizen Genet affair. The Federalists did not want to go against the English or support a bloody revolution. These were the main causes of political factions in the United states in the 1790's. (Parks)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6. How did the Federalists look to the future economically but to the past politically? (Magaziner) **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The Federalists looked to the future economically under the Confederation. Under the Confederation, Congress set up three departments; Foreign Affairs, Finance and War. Under the Confederation the head of Finance was Robert Morris. Morris dreamed of creating "a public debt supported by public revenue" which he claimed would "prove the strongest cement to keep our confederacy together." Morris futuriatically envisioned a "coherent program of taxation and debt management to make the government financially stable." In order to do this Morris secured a congressional charter for the Bank of North America. The bank could hold government money, lend money to the government and issue currency. However, the nations old-fasioned political scheme held Morris from being able to enact his futuristic plan ( when Alexander Hamilton enacys virtually the same plan Morris created it proves to be successful). In fear of a strong central authority the Articles of Confederation limited the powers of the central goverment to practically nothing and required unanimous state approval for amendments to be made. As a result of these limitations, the Articles proved to be extremely faulted. The Articles were created out of fear of a strong, tyrannical central government and because of this created a political system that looked to the past. As the the Articles proved to be unsuccessful and needing refining, the Constituional Convention is established at which delegates recognized the need for a stronger central government and ultimately decide to establish a new Constituion. (Magaziner)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. How did Hamilton’s financial plan have both an economic and a political agenda? (Morris) **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> Hamiliton's financial plan was greatly influenced by involvements in the Continental Army, and his witnessing of the near destruction the Articles of Confederations weaknesses caused. The lack of authority in central government that the Articles brought caused a weak economy that nearly ruined the Army, and almost lost the Revolutionary War. These weakness he thought could be solved by a assertive yet limited government driven by the engines of capitalism. He first had the federal government assume all the debts of the states from the war. By assuming all these debts he could increase the feeling of nationalism in the people, but more importantly create a stronger central government, which he thought was essential to the nation's survival. Hamilton, much like Robert Morris before him, thought National debt was would be a blessing to the country by cementing the country together, will create a reason for taxation, and would spur industry. Hamilton also created the National Bank which would create a solution to the chronic shortage of gold by placing all the federal reserves in the bank, and issuing paper money that would provide a uniform currency. Government bonds held by the bank would back up the value of the new notes. This bill created an argument over whether the Constitution should be interpreted loosely or strictly. Hamilton's many bills showed his opinion was for loose interpretation. (Morris) **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. As the 1790s unfolded, how did George Washington show himself to be a Federalist? (Saidman) **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> George Washington never officially announced that he was a Federalist. However, historians today conclude that Washington is a a Federalist because many of their views are similar. Washington supported the Federalist programs and was its inspirational leader. Washington's farewell address was a speech meant for leaders of the future to listen to. He gives them stern warnings against partisanship, sectionalism, and involvement in foreign wars. Throughout the 1790's much of the legislation passed is backed by Federalists. These acts include The Residence Act of 1790, which was an act passed to establish a capital along the Potomac River. Because the federal army was too small, Washington established the Militia Act of 1792 which allowed the president to organize militias of different states under his control. The Jay Treaty, also known as Jay's Treaty and the Treaty of London of 1794, was a treaty between the United States and Great Britain which averted war, solved many issues left over from the American Revolution, and opened ten years of largely peaceful trade in the midst of the French Revolutionary Wars. Washington strongly backed this treaty. (Saidman) **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">9. In what ways did John Adams help ensure a Republican victory in 1800? (Seeberger) **

As the presidential election of 1800 approached, grievances were mounting against Federalist policies: taxation to support an unnecessary army, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the lingering fears of "monarchism", the hostilities aroused by Alexander Hamilton's economic program, the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion and the Jay's Treaty. Adams finally passed his one last chance for reelection when he opted for peace with France in 1800, with a wave of patriotic war fever and a united party against him. This decision for peace was liked by many Americans, but angered the Hamiltonians in his own party, and thus his party was divided for the election. In 1800, the Federalists united to name their candidates, Adams and Pinckney, and agreed to cast all their electoral votes for both. But the Hamiltonians continued to attack Adams and his policies, and thus he removed two of them from his cabinet. Angered, Alexander Hamilton struck back with a pamphlet questioning Adams' ability to be president. While the letter was only to be circulated among Federalist leaders, it reached the hands of the Republican Aaron Burr, who then put it into general circulation. (Seeberger)

With his decision for peace with France, Adams divided his own party, and caused anger among his own rows, a rage, that later swept over the whole country and cost him the last chance of reelection. (Seeberger)


 * Note: These questions are due (in class) on Tuesday, October, 18.**