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Building a new nation, 1783 to 1809
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After winning independence from Britain, the United States had to decide how it would be governed.
Weak government and Shays' Rebellion
Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was very weak: it could not tax or control trade.
In Shays' Rebellion (1786 to 87), indebted farmers in Massachusetts rose up. Many leaders feared disorder and wanted a stronger government.
In Shays' Rebellion (1786 to 87), indebted farmers in Massachusetts rose up. Many leaders feared disorder and wanted a stronger government.
The Constitution
The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787.
The Connecticut Compromise created a Congress of two houses: the Senate (two members per state) and the House of Representatives (by population).
Federalists supported the strong new Constitution; Anti-federalists feared it threatened states' rights and liberty.
The Bill of Rights (1791), the first ten amendments, protected freedoms such as speech and religion.
The Connecticut Compromise created a Congress of two houses: the Senate (two members per state) and the House of Representatives (by population).
Federalists supported the strong new Constitution; Anti-federalists feared it threatened states' rights and liberty.
The Bill of Rights (1791), the first ten amendments, protected freedoms such as speech and religion.
Debates and Jefferson
Strict constructionists said the government could only do what the Constitution clearly allowed; loose constructionists said it could do whatever was 'necessary and proper'.
Thomas Jefferson won the election of 1800, the peaceful transfer of power called the 'Revolution of 1800'. He supported states' rights and a smaller federal government.
Thomas Jefferson won the election of 1800, the peaceful transfer of power called the 'Revolution of 1800'. He supported states' rights and a smaller federal government.
Why did the Connecticut Compromise matter?
- Large states wanted representation by population; small states wanted equal votes.
- The compromise gave equal votes in the Senate and population-based votes in the House.
- This satisfied both and allowed the Constitution to be agreed.
Answer: It balanced large and small states, so the Constitution could be agreed.
The weak Articles of Confederation and Shays' Rebellion led to the Constitutional Convention (1787). The Connecticut Compromise created the Senate and House. Federalists versus Anti-federalists; the Bill of Rights (1791). Strict versus loose construction; Jefferson's 'Revolution of 1800' and states' rights.
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