The Critical Period

10/2/17

The 1780’s right after the American Revolution is called the Critical Period
- No president, no real authority or power
- Articles of Confederation
- National Government is bankrupt, currency is worthless
- Zero unity after the war
- However, The 1780’s established foundation of growth

Success of the Revolution was at risk

- Economic depression, 1784-85
o Near bankruptcy
o Shortage of currency
o States imposed tariffs on goods from other states
- Foreign Policy was a mess
o Spanish pirates enslaved American sailors
o Britain refused to remove troops from forts
o Spain refused to recognize American claims to land between Ohio River and Florida
- States were acting in Tyrannical ways
o Some states tried to limit freedom of religion and freedom to property holders
o Pennsylvania imprisoned Quakers and Removed judges
- Federal Government didn’t trust the states under the Articles of Confederation
o Article 2 says that each state retains its sovereignty
o An amendment to the Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent by the
states
o National Government had a congress with the power to declare war, appoint military
officers, sign treaties, appoint foreign ambassadors, Indian relations
 All states equally represented
 9 of 13 states had to approve a bull before it became law
o No office of the President
 o Federal government had no money

Shay’s Rebellion occurred after Massachusetts raised property taxes over 60%
- Massachusetts farmers were facing foreclosure
- Daniel Shays and 2000 farmers threatened to rebel
o Rebels Defeated by state militia
o New legislature elected in 1787, people went to the polls to vote out current legislature
and elect people they agreed with. This is the first-time Democracy works in America!