Chapter 6: Toward a More Perfect Union
1783-1788

     I. Post-war Changes in the Republic
          A. Politics of the Confederation
          B. Status of Women
          C. Slavery and Abolition

     II. Challenges to the Confederation
          A. Military Demobilization
          B. Economic Troubles
               1. Large debts
               2. Lost trade (end of mercantilism)
          C. Foreign Affairs
          D. Northwest Territory
               1. Northwest Ordinances

     III. Political and Economic Turmoil
          A. Creditors vs. Debtors
          B. Farmers Demand Reform
               1. Shay's Rebellion

     IV. Constitutional Reform
          A. Philadelphia Convention
               1. James Madison
          B. The Great Compromise
          C. Powers of the Constitution
          D. The Executive, Slavery and Commerce
               1. Electoral College
               2. Balance of Power (checks and balances)
               3. Slavery Compromise (Three-Fifths Compromise)
          E. Ratification
               1. Federalists and Antifederalists
               2. Federalist Papers
               3. Antifederalist objections

Key Terms

     Republican Theory
     "stake in society"
     Republican Motherhood
     standing army
     autonomy
     Land Ordinance of 1784
     Land Ordinance of 1785
     Northwest Ordinance of 1787
     Daniel Shays
     Riot Act
     Virginia Plan
     New Jersey Plan
     unicameral
     bicameral
     Bill of Rights

Study Questions

1. Compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution with regard to: power of Congress, powers of the executive, and powers vested in the states.

2. Discuss ways that the American Revolution affected women.

3. Discuss the economic problems that plagued the new nation, discuss major causes, and explain methods by which the Confederation dealt with them.  How successful were these attempts?

4. Explain why the Confederation period saw deep disagreements between the East Coast elites and western farmers.  What were these disagreements about?  How were they resolved, and to whose general benefit?