Declaration and ArticlesI. After Paine…II. Continental Congressa. Declaration of Independenceb. State ConstitutionsIII. Articles of ConfederationIV. The Call for the ConventionV. The ConventionI. –Paine believes direct democracy. There is no reason for representatives.-Not everyone believed what he believed because it was too radical.-John Adams- biggest critics (p. 202 of the book- “I know not whether any man in the world…age of Paine”. Admits that Paine had a huge influence, and not a good one.-Common Sense and Paine were too extreme for some people-The Plain Truth by James Chalmers takes on Paine’s negative argument by defending the end to a political system.-Good with symbolism ^ (Example was the tree. Sons of liberty would meet under the tree)-People take meaning seriously, believed that they are individualsEngland-Tories-WhigsColonies- Elites- Radicals-Colonies mirror England. Paine was a Whig.-Whigs are the middle and working class and also opponents of the monarchy.-Tories are upper class and they supported the monarchy-Elite faction had 3 groups, and they supported the monarchsa. New England merchantsb. Southern Planters- own plantations but did not work on the plantations. They were not farmers; they were landowners.c. Royalists- have livelihood because they hold the crown. They might work for the monarchy, depends mostly on the crown.-radicals were shopkeepers, craftsmen and small farmers. They were highly suspicious of themonarch and of the Anglican Church- aka the Establishment Church-The Revolution becomes possible with tax policies- New England Merchants-Away from royalists and toward radicals- New England merchants and southern planters-Common Sense appealed to the radical group-Jefferson shifts to question the British government which appeals to the southern planters.-John Adams questions the British government and the voice of the New England Merchants.II. –Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence-2nd Continental Congress meets with the delegates from colonies-There are 2 big things that move us towards independence:a. Declaration of Independenceb. Congress calls for states to start writing state constitutions-The Declaration says life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (property) - Locke was the pursuit of property-Liberalism- all mean created equal, we have natural rights.-Liberal rhetorical document was supposed to be outrageous towards the king saying “this iswhy we are revolting” and it was similar to a to do list.-Radical document; more radical than Paine.-The elites committee wrote it and it was the first attempt to put Locke’s theory into practice. First time liberalism is used in reality.-State Constitutions were where colonies figured out what form of government..-There are 3 commonalities between states:a. Colonies set up legislative supremacy- the bulk of power to lie with legislature. We have a bicameral legislature: upper and lower house. The upper house was the weaker house. This is a difference because THEIRS was stronger at the top. Pennsylvania decidesthat they only need one house so they become a unicameral legislature.B. frequent elections and turnover to those legislatures which can lead to instability. Constantly not knowing what they’re doing because they kept switching. Rhode Island’s elections were every 6 months so they were an unstable mess; radical tip during colonialera.c. Weak executives had little independent power. They couldn’t do anything without legislature; acting on problems.-The states get constitutions before the United States does.III. –Continental Congress creates loose confederation- The Articles of Confederation.-The Articles of Confederation takes a number of years from congress to ratify. -Known as the “Articles of Confusion”.-Serves as protective treaty to keep us together during the war.-They don’t create a unified nation-Article 1-name; -Article 2- each state retains sovereignty, freedom and independence. Remains with each state-autonomous (each state)-Afraid of centralized political system- they don’t want to tie hands up after British with another centralized government-Article 3- firm lead of friendship with each other which doesn’t work. (p. 8 of the book) - there is no executive in the Articles of Confederation- no president- no judicial so no courts; there is a national congress and simple states government. They want to rule by committee.-Article 5- how congress is set up. States have power to send delegates to congress which sounds unstable. Delegations look like no less than 2 and no more than 7. States can send some there and back at any time they want to. Each state has only 1 vote. There’s a lot of debate and discussion. In order for a law to pass, 9/13 has to pass it. It is difficult to change the Articles of Confederation.-Article 13- 13/13 amend the articles of confederation. This is almost nearly impossible. Once written, you are basically stuck with it. -3 other problems:a. Congress has no taxing power- Article 8; there is no way to get money through taxes. Only states can tax and request to add that money to national treasury for Congress to supply military, etc.b. No commerce power- allows states to keep sovereignty enable states to still have their power. Start imposing tariffs onto each other. No national commerce internationally.c. Do not have implied powers in them- Articles of Confederation. Congress doesn’t have the power for certain things. Congress has to do exactly stated and nothing more. *The Constitution fixes this* by putting in a necessary and proper clause.-Sign Peace Treaty to change so there is no common enemy anymore. Tries to create an independent country.-Elites- articles are too weak that we won’t be a strong trading partner with other countries.-Radicals don’t want another monarchy.-National government didn’t represent every state-French supported us but wanted proof that we can pay debts and trade.-Spain on borders about economic security (we have a weak national government) so elites were freaking out.-Alexander Hamilton- credentials were not a problem because he knew everyone. He was a player in New York politics but he’s an “ardent nationalist”. He believes in a centralized strong national government. He has no heart in politics but points out that the Articles will not work. He’s a nationalist- believes in centralized government. -Elites were concerned that the U.S. looks like a weak trading
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