History 201
Chapter 10
Inventing a Country
American Constitutions, 1781–1789
MAJOR THEME: Americans had to invent their country and a sense of nationhood from scratch. The country went through a tentative period under the Articles of Confederation before the Constitution was written.
chapter objectives:
1. To examine the government under the Articles of Confederation.
2. To examine the status of slaves and women.
3. To understand the threats to the future of the country under the Articles of Confederation.
4. To see the successes and failures of the Articles of Confederation.
5. To review the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention.
6. To analyze the writing and ratification of the Constitution.
STUDENT “HOOKS”
1. The American Revolution was a reaction against authority; the independent states sought to limit government authority.
2. The Articles of Confederation were slow to be approved and did not provide for a truly united nation.
3. The greatest achievement of the Articles of Confederation was the land policy in the West.
4. Government under the Articles of Confederation was weak and had many problems.
5. Shays’ Rebellion frightened the wealthy upper classes and stirred the movement for a new constitution.
6. The Constitutional Convention was remarkable for the compromises it made.
7. The Constitution created the American government as it is known today.
8. Ratification of the Constitution was difficult and was spurred on by the publishing of the Federalist Papers.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. State Constitutions All the former colonies wrote constitutions for their status as states because of their experience with the British unwritten constitution.
A. Limiting Power, Striking Down Privilege
The Anglican Church was disbanded, but in three New England states, the Congregationalist Church remained the established church for forty years.
B. Democratic Drift
The right to vote was expanded although there were still a few restrictions like
Inventing a Country
American Constitutions, 1781–1789
MAJOR THEME: Americans had to invent their country and a sense of nationhood from scratch. The country went through a tentative period under the Articles of Confederation before the Constitution was written.
chapter objectives:
1. To examine the government under the Articles of Confederation.
2. To examine the status of slaves and women.
3. To understand the threats to the future of the country under the Articles of Confederation.
4. To see the successes and failures of the Articles of Confederation.
5. To review the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention.
6. To analyze the writing and ratification of the Constitution.
STUDENT “HOOKS”
1. The American Revolution was a reaction against authority; the independent states sought to limit government authority.
2. The Articles of Confederation were slow to be approved and did not provide for a truly united nation.
3. The greatest achievement of the Articles of Confederation was the land policy in the West.
4. Government under the Articles of Confederation was weak and had many problems.
5. Shays’ Rebellion frightened the wealthy upper classes and stirred the movement for a new constitution.
6. The Constitutional Convention was remarkable for the compromises it made.
7. The Constitution created the American government as it is known today.
8. Ratification of the Constitution was difficult and was spurred on by the publishing of the Federalist Papers.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. State Constitutions All the former colonies wrote constitutions for their status as states because of their experience with the British unwritten constitution.
A. Limiting Power, Striking Down Privilege
The Anglican Church was disbanded, but in three New England states, the Congregationalist Church remained the established church for forty years.
B. Democratic Drift
The right to vote was expanded although there were still a few restrictions like