WERE AMERICA’S FOUNDERS AS REVOLUTIONARY AS YOU’VE BEEN TOLD?

• Why did we split with Britain? Take a history class for the specifics, but the key questions for us are: Were these truly “revolutionary” times?

• Did we have “masses “against tyranny?: What evidence do we see of revolutionary ideas in The Declaration of Independence (1776)?

• Did power change hands with our independence?• Was there a dramatic restructuring of property ownership

or the economic system?• Was there a revolution in worldview and social relations

over the long-run? Gordon Wood’s argument in The Radicalism of the American Revolution

HOW “REVOLUTIONARY” WERE THE ARTICLES OFCONFEDERATION? (1777, 1781, 1789)?

• The purpose of this “firm league of friendship”: To wage war together or to make a democratic country?

• The structure: Why equal (with multiple reps) state representation in the Articles? Why only one chamber?

• Method of selection: Why have national representatives annually elected and controlled by state legislatures?

• The decision-making process: Why super majorities--9 states-- to take any major action?

• The scope of national power: Congress could coin money, borrow money, and negotiate treaties… but so could the states. Why no federal taxing power? Why no federal army?

• Constitutional change: Why no amendments except with unanimity?

WHY WASN’T OUR FIRST GOVERNMENT GOOD ENOUGH?

Why are we taking the time to study this question?• What are its implication for our Founding myths?• To what extent is the Constitution a time-bound document just like the

Articles? To what extent does our first gov. shape our founding?What social & political issues most shaped the key assuptions and motives

of the Founders?• Were they worried about democracy and liberty or mostly protection

from “radicals”?• The repayment of loans to France and the protection of domestic

creditors• Dealing with trade and commerce barriers• Imperial ambitions: Opening Western lands• Military issues: Dealing with Spain, France, and Britain• The resolution of inter-state disputes, including the status of slaves and

slavery