The History Square

What was the role of African Americans in the Revolution, and how were they affected by the outcome?

     About 20% of the population in the colonies during the American Revolution was African American, and about half of those were slaves. Many of the African Americans supported the British in the beginning as they were seen as a source of liberty. In fact many of the slaves had high hopes, as some

Massachusetts

slaves said they expected “great things from men who have made such a noble stand against the designs of their fellow-men to enslave them.” (Brown 257) Of course the Americans saw this as a ‘white mans’ fight for liberty, since they did not consider the fact that blacks were people mattered in the revolution, and this war was a huge disruption to the slave system.

Discuss the problems that the United States experienced under the Confederation government, how they led to the decision to create a new system of government, and how the Constitution differed from the Articles of Confederation.

     After Shays’ Rebellion the states began to realize that a stronger form of government was needed. The states were not only unable to control small rebellions within the states, but they would have little hope of standing together against any sort of foreign attack if one should arise. Not only that, but there was still the threat of Indian attacks along their western border, and that would require a unified treatment.

Boston Tea Party:

After the repealing of the Townshend Acts, the tax on British Tea was left as a way for Britian to show that they still had some control over the colonies. Unfortunately Boston was also suffering economically, which was only further aggravated by troops taking low-paying, off duty jobs.

The Ohio Company

Virginia land speculators were wanting to expand their land holdings along the Ohio River Valley, so they commissioned the Ohio Company to go out and acquire the land. Virginia claimed the land through a charter, but the Iroquois (who no longer lived there) also claimed the land.

The Sons of Liberty: A Short Identification

This group was formed out of workers and tradesmen who were opposed to the Stamp Act in 1765. They saw this as a threat to their political rights and liberty. They were spread throughout the colonies and worked to keep the channels of communication open between the colonies and colonists in the opposition. They planned boycotts and protests, while also writing essays encrouraging the colonists toward a united opposition.

Articles of Confederation: A Short Identification

     The Articles of Confederation were the original governmental system, and they were written after it was realized that the US needed a government system. It was called a Federal system of government, rather than a National system because it needed to be differentiated from the colonial system. A committee was established in 1776 to draw up the Articles, and appointed chairman was John Dickinson, who drafted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.

Shays’ Rebellion:

     After the Revolutionary War the economy in the US was in complete chaos. Trade had been opened up with Britain, but inflation soon plagued the colonies when the differing currencies could not hold up. Congress did not have the power to tax under the Articles of Confederation, so there was no revenue coming into the colonies. But the colonists wanted what the British had to offer in the way of goods, and they bought much of it on credit. Merchants that were struggling began calling in their payments, and they only wanted gold and silver which the colonists did not have.

National versus State Government

The first type of government in America was based primarily on state government. Prior to the signing of the Constitution, America had been made up of thirteen colonies, which had been ruled by England. Following the Revolutionary War, these colonies, although they had formed a league of friendship under the Articles of Confederation, basically governed themselves. They feared a strong central government like the one they lived with under England's rule. However, it was soon discovered that this weak form of state government could not survive and so the Constitution was drafted. The Constitution:

• defines and limits the power of the national government,
• defines the relationship between the national government and individual state governments, and
• guarantees the rights of the citizens of the United States.

Colonial Politics and Ideology

-The British Constitution

-Theory

-Practice

-Radical Whigs

-Colonial Replicas and Realities

     The British and Colonial Political Systems did very little during the 18th century, especially by today's standards. People were subjects, not citizens, and the ranges of government were limited to: defending the nation, providing security, regulating trade, handling diplomacy for the country, and securing the lives and property of the people. All things considered it was a very limited government.

British Government and the British Constitution:

     The people of Britain had liberty, and it was secured through the political system. Their definition of liberty was that you were free to pursue your own interests as long as you didn't commit crimes or infringe on others. People were secure in their property rights, the only way that property could be taken was through crime or the government, which was an elected representative who approved the seizing of property.

List of U.S. States (alphabetical order)

An alphabetical list of the 50 states, each listing the abbreviations, capitals, and union date (date admitted to the union, or date the state ratified the constitution). Each state link contains a map of the state itself and a picture of the state flag.

Alabama (AL)- Montgomery- 12/14/1819

Alaska (AK)- Juneau- 01/03/1959

Arizona (AZ)- Phoenix- 02/14/1912

Arkansas (AR)- Little Rock- 06/15/1836

California (CA)- Sacramento- 09/09/1850

Colorado (CO)- Denver- 08/01/1876