Page 165 - American Stories, A History of the United States

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6.1

Learn about some key topics related to this chapter with the
6.2 MyHistoryLab Video Series: Key Topics in U.S. History.

1 the weaknesses of the articles of confederation in
6.3 the Making of a new nation:1783–1789 given
establishing a nation state consisting of thirteen still very
independent former british colonies, many americans
6.4
saw that a new, stronger central government was
necessary to safeguard the country. this video examines
the articles of confederation and the constitutional
convention that ultimately produced a new document and the federal union we have today.
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Land Ordinance this video discusses the Land Ordinance that created a rational and effective model
for adding new states into the country. along with guaranteeing the absence of slavery from the 2
northwest territory, west of the appalachians, and north of the Ohio river, the Land Ordinance
provided for an orderly method for as many as five new states to enter the union on an equal footing
with the original states.

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3 shays’s rebellion Following the american revolution, the primary problem for the federal, state, and
local governments was a lack of hard currency. this shortage of specie, as well, as economic depression,
led to rebellions over tax collection and debt payment. this video focuses on shays's rebellion (1786–
1787) in Massachusetts. the armed protests of shays and his followers, as well as the military force
needed to put them down, would influence the need for a strong constitution and central government.
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series of compromises and deals on the part of the participants at the convention. achieving strong 4
the constitutional convention the constitutional convention in philadelphia of 1787 has often been
called the “Miracle in philadelphia” as this video makes clear. the U.s. constitution was the result of a

central government meant restraining some of the democratic powers of the american people.

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signs of God’s displeasure—it seemed unwise to risk further divine punishment by encouraging
new “hot-beds of vice.”
Other citizens interpreted the revolutionary experience from an entirely different perspective.
At issue, they insisted, was not popular morality, but state censorship. if the government silenced
the stage, then “the same authority. . . may, with equal justice, dictate the shape and texture of our
dress, or the modes and ceremonies of our worship.” Depriving those who wanted to see plays of an
opportunity to do so, they argued, “will abridge the natural right of every freeman, to dispose of his
time and money, according to his own tastes and dispositions.” The General Assembly apparently
agreed. By 1789, Philadelphians were once again enjoying the liberty of attending the theater.

T hroughout post-Revolutionary America everyday matters such as opening a
new playhouse provoked passionate debate. The divisions were symptomatic of
a new, uncertain political culture struggling to find the proper balance between public
morality and private freedom. During the long fight against Britain, Americans had
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