American Independence

Extensive and Intensive Revolution

I. Whose Revolution Was It?

50% of colonists were women

20% slaves

5% loyalists (tories)

5-10% Native Americans

A. Extensive Revolution

1. Continental Congress, (1st, 1774)

2. Articles of Confederation, 1777-1788

3. United States Constitution, 1788-present

B. Intensive Revolution

“The Spirit of Liberty spread where it was not intended to go.”

- Thomas Hutchinson

1. The idea is bigger than the practice Rights of Englishmen Natural Rights Life, Liberty, Property

2. 1776 – US Declaration of Independencegovt. based on Natural Law

people have Natural Rights right to revolution

3. 1776 – Thomas Paine,

Common Sense

II. Why a revolution?

Underlying causes

A. 7 Years War

1. Proclamation Line of 1763

2. Navigation Acts (1664) - end of “benign neglect”

B. Cultural separation

1. Communities of trade

2. New living and work patterns

3. Enlightenment, Awakening, Nationalism

C. Constitutional

1. British Parliament v. colonial legislatures Brit: “conveniences” Am: “compacts”

Illusion of independence

D. Economic

1. Mercantilism v. laissez faire

2. 1776 – Adam Smith,

The Wealth of Nations

3. Cross class boundaries

III. You say you want a revolution

Precipitating causes

A. New taxes

1. External – Sugar Act, 1764

2. Internal – Stamp Act, 1765 unambiguous revenue raiser

“taxation w/o representation”

Virtual v. Direct Representation

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Republican

Democratic-Republican

Two-party system

Enlightenment thinkers’ views of human nature

3. Sons of Liberty

Paul Revere

intensive revolution

Sam Adams

4. 1766 – British blink

Stamp Act repealed

Declaratory Act

Dangerous precedents

B. Bad to worse

1. 1767 – Townshend Acts imported goods

2. Boycotts, “homespun” Boston Massacre, 1770

3. 1770, Townshend Acts repealed…

4…except on tea

5. 1773 – Tea Act

C. The worst fears realized1. Cato’s Letters, (1720s) Trenchard & Gordon

- all govt. corrupt - less concentrated, less corrupt - appealed to colonists (Enlight, Awakening)

2. 1774 – Coercive (“Intolerable”) Actsshut down Boston

suspend Mass. Local govt. Quartered British troops

3. 1774 – Quebec ActCatholicism legalizedCanada gets colonial claims

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

- Patrick Henry, March 1775

IV. Unintended consequences

What kind of revolution was it?

A. Manipulating resentment

1. Economic / political inequality planters, River Gods, Old Lights

2. “Liberty” first, “equality” second

B. Decline in deference

1. “New men”

2. State constitutionsPennsylvania St. Const., 1776

3. Attack on propertystay laws

4. Republican Motherhood- Abigail Adams

Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation.

Conclusion

American revolution not as radical as some- Liberty v. equality

Articles of Confederation- National govt. purposefully weak

Framing the Constitution

Pragmatism or Conservative Counter-revolution?

A. Legacy of intensive revolution

1. Decline in deferenceIncrease in democratic participationAttack on concentrated wealth

2. Articles of Confederation, 1777-1788

- loose union of autonomous states

- states are sovereign

3. Contract nationalism - Enlightenment, anti-authoritarian

3. Shays’ Rebellion, 1786-87

- Anarchy

- “Spirit of Liberty has spread where it was not intended to go”

B. Why did the Revolution stop?

1. No wide scale executions (France)

2. No socialism / redistribution of property

The Counter-Revolution

Strong central govt.

Protect private property

Stop anarchy

Promote an economic empire

(Original goals of the Revolution)

I. Remaking the government

A. Annapolis Convention, 1786Alexander Hamilton

B. The Philadelphia Convention

1. Feb. 1787 – revisions authorized

2. James Madison – Virginia Plan

May-Sept. 1787

C. Conspiracy Theory

1. 55 attendees (several later left)

2. Deliberated in secret

D. Problems w/ the Articles

1. No unity or identity

2. Unable to maintain order

3. Geo-political weakness- commerce, treaties, war

II. Pragmatic government

A. Great Compromise

1. Bicameral legislature

Senate – House of Representatives

Equal & proportional representation

B. 3/5 Compromise

1. revolutionary ideology and slavery

2. North v. South

C. Selling the Constitution

1. State conventionsFederalistsHamilton, Madison, John Adams, Franklin, Jefferson

Anti-federalistsSam Adams, Henry,

Mercy Otis Warren

2. The Federalist Papers, 1787-88

New government provides stability

No faction could gain control

Tyranny averted by “checks & balances”

(Roman Empire)

3. Better organization (urban)

4. Bill of Rights• Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

• Amendment IIA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

• Amendment IIINo Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

• Amendment IVThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

• Amendment VNo person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Well, you get the idea…

Conclusion

Constitution concludes the Revolution“conservatives” back in control

Constitution makes American empire possible

But…

…Constitution sidesteps big problems

Bitter Anti-Federalists help to initiate oppositional system