Unit 2: The Revolution and Constitution (Class Notes)

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Massachusetts Revolts + Continental Congress and Declaration of Independence- 10/4/10
- This was a pre-industrial revolution, meaning that Thomas Jefferson's idea of extending suffrage to all males not just the rich or large land owners like planters was revolutionary (though he did not consider women or people from other non- European ethnic groups for this : [ )

- They did not have class division keeping them apart, alike both rich merchants and planters along with yeoman farmers fought

Other events during the time

- The Somersett Case: After slavery has been abolished in Britain a planter decides to bring a slave, James Somersett with him to Britain, Granville Sharp fights in his defense and wins by having Somersett freed it was ruled that once a slave was on English land he would be freed

- John Locke: Though an investor in the slave trade, his ideas of life, liberty and property (Natural Rights) plants the seeds of further revolution and thought

- Quock Walker Case: Slave named Quock Walker sues for freedom using the Massachusetts Constitution, informally slavery is outlawed

- New Jersey women are given the right to vote, later it is taken back

- 1776 The Wealth of the Nations is written by Adam Smith favoring capitalism over feudal practices, since capitalism allows for social mobility and greater wealth

- Other social movements like abolition and women's rights are rooted in ideas from these events

- Events also allow for freedom of press which doesn't just allow financial news to spread but social reform

Declaration of Independence

- After the failed Olive Branch Petition (failed attempt to get Britain to not control their trade or taxes), Richard Henry Lee calls for Independence from Britain

- The declaration was meant to send a message that the colonists were untied and willing to fight for due legal processes like representation and against George III

- It was written mostly by Thomas Jefferson

"The shot heard round the world"

- The beginning battles of the Revolutionary War, like Lexington and Concord (April 19th, 1774) are called so because they (ideas for liberty and independence) reverberated ==

Federalists VS Anti-Federalists- 10/12/10
- These are not political parties but argue whether or not the constitution should be ratified

- On a technicality the constitution was illegal since a change in gov under the confederacy needs 13/13 votes while the constitution makers wanted 9/13 votes and Rhode Island did not want to join because of a land dispute

- The revolution had just ended and people were distrustful of the gov, though after Shay's Rebellion some though it necessary

Federalists

- Those who wanted the constitution ratified like...

The Writers of the Federalist Papers (pro-constitution printed in NY which wasn't very pro-constitution) :

Alexander Hamilton

- Educated in the West Indies and worked in banking, wanted industrialization

- Also wanted a national bank and created one

- Wanted a strong gov

-Examples: A president with a lot of power, federal judiciary with lifelong terms, an upper house with much power that doesn't change very often...

Senate

- Upper house that change ~6 years, has "power of the purse" , only ~1/3 is changed @ a time

James Madison

- Father of the Constitution so he wants it ratified, Virginian

John Jay

- Wrote some of the Federalist Papers (from NY)

Federalist Papers

- Federalists often claimed that a republic was great for a large country, there would be no majority harming a minority or factions because of the diversity

- This idea of using a republic in a large country was cutting edge, it was not done before

- The Federalist Papers are used today to interprets constitutions "original intent" by founders

- The writer of the papers often wrote under the name Publicus, the people

- Their opposition was the Anti- Federalists, some of them, small farmers, attacked a federalist meeting called the Country War

The Anti- Federalists - Anti- constitution

Samuel Adams

- Had revolutionary ideals, did not like government, from Massachusetts

John Hancock

- Had revolutionary ideals, did not like government, from Massachusetts

- There is a possibility that both he and Adams did not want to share their booming trade with the south

The Massachusetts Compromise

- MA would ratify the constitution if the Bill of Rights were included (proposed by Madison)

Patrick Henry

- Another revolutionary, from Virginia

- "give me liberty or give me death"

LINKS:
http://www.course-notes.org/us_history/notes/the_american_pageant_14th_edition_textbook_notes/chapter_7_the_road_to_revolution_1

http://www.course-notes.org/us_history/notes/the_american_pageant_14th_edition_textbook_notes/chapter_8_america_secedes_from_the

http://www.course-notes.org/us_history/notes/the_american_pageant_14th_edition_textbook_notes/chapter_9_the_confederation_and_th

http://www.course-notes.org/us_history/notes/the_american_pageant_14th_edition_textbook_notes/chapter_10_launching_the_new_ship_o