Ali Ghafoori 1

America in the Aftermath of the Revolution

(1783-1800)
TEXT
[Lecture date: February 13, 2008] BOOK --

The Confederation: Chapter 7

Fear of central government dominated the period, and the result Page: 250
was fragmentation and stagnation. The central government was
weak and could not collect taxes or handle foreign relations. The
first step was the establishment of three departments: Foreign
Affairs, Finance, and War in 1781. The head of each department
was answerable to Congress.

Two major crisis forced Congress to consider reforms:

1. The major problem was the debt owed to veterans of the

Revolutionary War who led by Alexander Hamilton wanted
the Congress to act in order to ensure the provision of
pensions for the war veterans. This came to be known as
the Newburgh Conspiracy.
Page: 252
2. Domestic and foreign debt grew from $11 million to $ 28
million.

Despite its failures the Confederation Congress introduced

reforms which proved to be pivotal in reshaping the future of the
country.

Land Policy: Page: 253 –

255
In 1779, the Congress decided not to treat the lands to the west
as colonies. Between 1784 and 1787, three major land
ordinances were introduced that generated revenue for the
Congress and also established a system on how land was to be
governed.

1. Land Ordinance of 1784: When the population reached that

of the smallest existing state, the territory would achieve full
statehood.

2. Land Ordinance of 1785: The Northwest was to be surveyed

and six-mile-square townships established along east-west
and north-south lines. Each of the townships was divided
further into 640 acre lots or sections that were sold for $1 per
acre.

3. North-West Ordinance of 1787: Under this ordinance, the new

territory will be under the control of Congress through a
Please note that this document is intended to guide your studies
and supplement the text book and your class notes. I am not
responsible for any information discrepancies.
 Ali Ghafoori 2
America in the Aftermath of the Revolution
(1783-1800)

governor and three judges appointed by the Congress. As

soon as the population of any territory reached 5,000 free
male adults, it could choose an assembly. The territory could
obtain statehood once the population reached 60,000 “free
inhabitants.” The territory could then call a convention, draft
a state constitution and apply to Congress for statehood. The
Ordinance excluded slavery permanently and included a bill
of rights that guaranteed religious freedom, legislative Page: 259
representation, trial by jury, habeas corpus, and the
application of the common law.

Diplomatic Success:

By 1787, Congress had requested all states of rescind laws Page: 259 – 261
designed to confiscate the property of those who supported the
British during the Revolutionary War.

Congress also successfully negotiated a treaty with Spain that

gave it the right to navigate the Mississippi River (which was
important for trade in some states).

Problems Faced by the Confederation:

New states wanted to protect their emerging industries and local

craftsmen against the much cheaper foreign (mostly British
imports) goods. States attempted to do this by imposing tariffs
Page: 261-262
on foreign imports. Since there was no centralized authority,
each state began to impose its own levels of tariff, which lead to
uneven levels of prices thereby encouraging cross-state
smuggling. The merchants and artisans began to demand a
more centralized system.

Farmers who had benefitted from increased crop prices during

Page: 262
the war and had borrowed heavily in the process began

Please note that this document is intended to guide your studies

and supplement the text book and your class notes. I am not
responsible for any information discrepancies.
 Ali Ghafoori 3
America in the Aftermath of the Revolution
(1783-1800)

demanding relief from creditors who were equally adamant to

receive their money back. The response was between 1785 and
1786 seven states began printing paper money. Rhode Island
printed more money than any other state, but the consequence
was that the money became worthless.

In 1787, Shay’s Rebellion broke out in Massachusetts. The

rebellion was caused by heavy taxes on farmers and the state Page: 263- 277
legislators refusal to introduce any reforms. Shay was
demanding a more flexible monetary policy, laws allowing them
to use corn and wheat as money, and the right to postpone
paying taxes until the depression lifted. Shay’s Rebellion
although militarily insignificant, created a sense of urgency
amongst the ruling elite who feared an uprising by the poor and
a threat to property.

Page: 265

Annapolis Convention, 1786:

The Annapolis Convention was attended by representatives of

five states. The primary purpose of the convention was to draw
amendments that could be put before Congress for approval.
Alexander Hamilton also called for a Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia (1787).

Page: 265
The Constitutional Convention:

Convened on May 14, 1787 (actual work did not start until May
25), the Convention was attended by fifty-five delegates and
after four months of deliberation, thirty-nine signed the drafted
constitution. Rhode Island refused to participate in the Page: 265-266
convention.

The convention was presided over by George Washington and

the major figure that emerged in the process was James
Madison.

Most of the delegates agreed that government derived its just

powers from the consent of the people but that society must be
Please note that this document is intended to guide your studies
and supplement the text book and your class notes. I am not
responsible for any information discrepancies.
 Ali Ghafoori 4
America in the Aftermath of the Revolution
(1783-1800)

protected from the tyranny of the majority; that the people at

large must have a voice in their government but that any one
group must be kept from abusing power; that a stronger central
authority was essential that all power was subject to abuse.
They also shared Madison’s pessimistic view of human nature:
people are selfish. But through a system of checks and balances,
the natural tendencies could be channeled to greater public
good.

Two competing plans emerged:

1. Virginia Plan – Called for drafting an entirely new document

that provided a framework for separate legislative, executive
and judicial branches and a truly national government to
make laws binding upon individual citizens as well as states.
Congress would be divided into two chambers: a lower house
elected by popular vote and an upper house nominated by
state legislators.

2. New Jersey Plan - Called for reform of the existing

Confederate Congress that will have the power to levy taxes,
regulate trade, name a plural executive and a supreme court.

Please note that this document is intended to guide your studies

and supplement the text book and your class notes. I am not
responsible for any information discrepancies.