Governing in Revolutionary Times, 1776-1787 & Reframing the American Government (Module 5-6)
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Proposal and Ratification of the Articles of Confederation
This plan for National government was proposed in 1777 - ratified in 1781. The were documents were put in place by the colonists before the constitution was drafted and written out, serving as some of the first documents that governed over the newly free colonies that later formed into states. -
The Passing of the NorthWest Ordinance Act
The passing of this act provided the survey, sale, and division of land in the NorthWest Territory. This would serve as the grounds for state division later on, as land was being divided up to form geographical America -
Virgina (and following states) Institution of the Statute of Religious Freedom
The institution of this law was put in place by the colonists after their freedom from Britain, to ensure the separation of church and state. This would allow for America to be fair and equal between all peoples, and to allow power to be evenly divided between the rich and poor so everyone had a voice in how they were governed and taxed. -
The Rebellion of the Farmers (Shays’s Rebellion)
Caused by NorthWest Ordinance, the rebellion was lead by Daniel Shays, a farmer that enlisted and fought in the revolutionary war in hopes of growing his political stance and role in the new nation. -
The Proposal of the New Jersey Plan
Supported by smaller states - in favor of a balanced government with power separated between branches: Introduced in 1787 by William Patterson, this proposal took interest in equal representation for the states. This would play out in later America as the Senate, allowing for those equal representation ideas. -
The convening of the Constitutional Convention
A meeting to draft the constitution (May - September of 1787) This meeting was held in Philadelphia to form a constitution that was unbiased, that would uphold a judicial system that was made of branches so power would be divided. This would act as the form for convening in the democratic interests of the new nation. -
The Institution of the Three-Fifths Compromise
The Institution the compromise between the North and South which enslaved people = ⅗ of a free person - balanced the house of Representatives and federal tax.This allowed for southern states (with more slaves) to have better representation by means of population. -
The Proposal of the Virginia Plan
Supported by bigger states - in favor of stronger central government -
The Creation of the Electoral College
A group of electors voted in the formal election of the president and the vice president after the general election votes are tallied. This served as compromise between direct vote or congressional vote that was being pushed for by state representation. This would also allow for further representation and division of power in government.
