Chapter 6: The Republican Experiment

Chapter 6: The Republican Experiment focuses on:

• Post-Revolutionary changes in society
• States' rights vs. national power
• The Articles of Confederation
• The Constitution

Section Headings

1. Introduction: A New Political Morality (161)
2. Defining Republican Culture (162)
3. Living in the Shadow of Revolution (163)
   1. Social and Political Reform (163)
   2. African Americans in the New Republic (164)
   3. The Challenge of Women's Rights (166)
   4. Postponing Full Liberty (168)
4. The States: Experiments in Republicanism (168)
   1. Blueprints for State Government (168)
   2. Natural Rights and the State Constitutions (169)
   3. Power to the People (169)
5. Stumbling Toward a New National Government (170)
   1. Articles of Confederation (170)
   2. Western Land: Key to the First Constitution (171)
   3. Northwest Ordinance: The Confederation's Major Achievement (173)
6. Strengthening Federal Authority (175)
   1. The Nationalist Critique (175)
   2. Diplomatic Humiliation (177)
7. "Have We Fought for This?" (177)
   1. The Genius of James Madison (177)
   2. Constitutional Reform (178)
   3. The Philadelphia Convention (179)
   4. Inventing a Federal Republic (180)
   5. Compromise Saves the Convention (180)
   6. Compromising on Slavery (181)
   7. The Last Details (184)
   8. We, the People (184)
8. Whose Constitution? Struggle for Ratification (185)
   1. Federalists and Antifederalists (185)
   2. Adding the Bill of Rights (187)
9. Conclusion: Depends on the People (188)