RAY+W+ --+ Analyze+the+ways+in+which+the+political,+economic,+and+diplomatic

Home List of Themes Model - Articles of Confederation

**Theme:** Constitution **Topic:** Crises of the 1780's shaping the provisions of the United States Constitution. **Free Response Question**: Analyze the ways in which the political, economic, and diplomatic crises of the 1780's have shaped the provisions of the United States Constitution. Introductory Paragraph **Setting:** After breaking free from oppressive English rule, the Americans were left with the task of organizing their own government. **Basis for Analysis**: The political, economic, and diplomatic circumstances of the 1780’s that surrounded the creation of United States Constitution are still controlling the manner in which our country operates to this day. **Partitions**: The United States Constitution was shaped by the political, economic, and diplomatic crises of the 1780’s. **Thesis: **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The United States Constitution, although having been written 1787 has maintained its meaning and control throughout our history.

<span style="background-color: #e1ff00; color: #ff4700; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 17px; text-align: left;">**Partition 1:** Political -reluctant to give sweeping power to a new government -Political leaders aimed the focus towards crafting enlightened documents -Most governors were kept purposefully weak to prevent them from trying to overstep the boundaries of their power. -The legislative and judicial branches are elected regularly in order to hold them accountable for their actions. -Although the wealthy held a disproportionately large percent of legislative seats their influence was diminished in comparison to the English government.

<span style="background-color: #808000; color: #e1ff00; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">**Partition 2:**Economic -British naval superiority crippled American trade as many of our ships were destroyed -both armies frequently stole from farmers in order to find food, farmers suffered great losses -exports to England were restricted further -English law prohibited trade with England’s remaining sugar colonies -cheap English goods that sold for less than American made products further crippled the economy -debt taken on during the war also fueled rapid inflation

<span style="background-color: #0000ff; color: #00ff00; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">** Partition 3: ** Diplomatic -Fighting between the English and the French lead to both powers attempting to prevent us from trading with their enemy and sinking our ship, which was a violation of our declaration of neutrality. -Westward moving frontiersmen often disregarded treaties that had been made with the Native Americans in the area. -The declaration and intensification of war was favored by a congressional group from the South and West, known as the War Hawks, who were lead by Henry Clay of Kentucky. -In his farewell address, Washington warned against meddling in European affairs.

<span style="background-color: #800080; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 23px; text-align: left;">General Information: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"> -U.S. Constitution has with the exception of amendments the same to this day.(September 17, 1787-present) -The Constitution has been amended 17 times totaling 27 amendments (first ten amendments form the Bill of Rights). -Although times have changed dramatically since being drafted the Constitution has maintained its original meaning. -The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">