Constitutional Convention Issues

Constitutional Convention Issues

After defeating the British in the war for independence, the newly independent colonies were bombarded with numerous problems and difficulties. Among those predicaments included the debts amassed during the war with the British. Also, fear that other countries who wanted to attack and invade sections of the colonies arose due to the growing activity of the British, the Spanish, and most importantly, the Native Americans. The biggest problem was how to establish a non-oppressive, democratic government that would preserve the ideals of the citizens of the new colonies. Therefore, in order to confront and solve said issues, the forefathers decided to establish a strong democracy to not only protect the citizens, but also arrange a government that has certain rules and regulations that would not be categorized as tyrannical.

As the war ended, the colonies became a sovereign nation. However, with the victory came a small damper in the celebration: the colonies had accumulated a large amount of debts in the process of winning the war. These debts ranged from war expenses, to loans and other financial processes. The colonies essentially tried to resolve these debts through the establishment of different policies. Some colonies printed out cheaper paper money to remedy their debts: "Rhode Island and North Carolina issued cheap paper money, which note holders were forced to accept in payment" (Greenberg and Page pg. 33). Other states issued stay acts that basically prohibited foreclosures. (G+P). Finally, there was Shay's rebellion. Basically, Shay's Rebellion took place in Massachusetts "where armed rebels tried to prevent the state courts from seizing farms" (G+P pg. 33). Essentially, due to the war and other expenses, the American debt proved to be a formidable problem at the time of the establishment of the Constitution.

Another fundamental problem that retarded the process of establishing a democracy and a Constitution was the oncoming possibility of invasion from other countries and cultures. First, the Spanish proved to be a significant problem because they showed a great interest in taking over colonies east of the Mississippi River. (Class Discussion 9/13/06) Next, the Americans tried to drive out the British from their strongholds in the colonies. The British, however, did not comply and instead brought up difficulties concerning the Native Americans. The British basically armed the Native Americans and convinced them to take back the land that was once inhabited by the Native Americans, taken by the colonists. The colonists begged the government for help, but because of the debts that the nation had (detailed in above paragraph) only allowed the use of about 700 soldiers as a small militia for the protection of the colonists. These impending invasions