The Rise Of Republicanism

Republicanism—new core ideology
Uncompromising commitment to liberty and equality – A government without monarchy or aristocracy – political authority vested in the people
Post-Revolutionary divisions
Balancing individual liberty with social order
Balancing property rights with equality
Changes in laws of inheritance – end of primogeniture
Property qualifications for voting reduced
Capitols moved to enable better representation for frontier settlers
Separation of church and state
Continued uneven distribution of wealth
Varying answers resulted in variety of republican governments
Abolitionist sentiment spread in wake of the Revolution
African Americans embraced Declaration’s stress on natural rights and equality
Slavery – biggest contradiction to founding principles
Americans
order
After British tyranny, Americans want both but argue over how to get both
No clear correlation between social status and support for Constitution
Succeeded in winning ratification in eleven states by June 1788
Constitution ratified by close vote in major states
Americans closed ranks behind the Constitution
No clear correlation between social status and support for Constitution
Succeeded in winning ratification in eleven states by June 1788
Constitution ratified by close vote in major states
Americans closed ranks behind the Constitution
Rights included:
Freedom of assembly, speech, religion, the press, and bearing arms
Speedy trial by a jury of peers
No unreasonable searches
First ten amendments added by December 1791
Some Americans complained that the new government had a great potential for despotism
Others were more optimistic and saw it as a great beginning for the new