8 2 6 South Carolinas Role in the

8 -2. 6 South Carolina’s Role in the development of a New Nation

Pre-Revolution • South Carolina formed its own government • The Committee of 99 ▫ 15 merchants ▫ 15 artisans ▫ 69 planters (hmmm)

The “De Facto” Government • Although the Royal Governor was still in Charleston, residents obeyed the Committee of 99. • The Committee became the government “de facto”- in fact, if not by law (de jure).

Continental Provincial Congress • The General Meeting in SC called for election of delegates to a Provincial Congress • Representation was disproportionally from the Low Country • The Provincial Congress ▫ raised an army ▫ issued currency ▫ created a committee to enforce nonimportation ▫ commissioned the writing of a constitution that eventually became the Articles of the Confederation

Meanwhile in SC • Not everyone in SC was happy with this government or nonimportation • The provincial government sent a delegation to the back country to make peace. • The Treaty of Ninety Six- the backcountry agreed to remain neutral in the Fight with Great Britain • Later the Provincial Congress sent a force to defeat the Loyalist militia and silence opposition from the backcountry

State Government • SC adopted its first constitution establishing an independent state government before the Declaration of Independence was even signed. • It was to serve as the foundation of government until the disagreements with England were resolved.

SC’s Provincial Government • SC constitution provided for a two house legislature: - The Lower house elected by the people - The upper house elected by the lower house • The president, who was elected from the legislature, had the right to veto laws. • The Lowcountry had more representation than the back country

The Second Constitution • After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a second constitution was written in SC with only a few changes: ▫ The President was now called the Governor ▫ Representation was slightly more equally distributed ▫ The Church of England was no longer the official state supported church of SC

SC Role in the New National Government • The Continental Congress acted as the first national government • SC was the only colony to meet its financial obligations to the Continental Congress • Henry Laurens served as president and later on the committee that negotiated the Treaty of Paris for the government.

The Articles of Confederation • Written after the signing of the Declaration of Independence to officially establish the first national government of the new United States. • SC ratified (approved) the Articles quickly • Other states did not until a compromise of ownership over western land was reached • These lands were ceded to the National Government

Problems • The Articles of Confederation were modeled after the Continental Congress with one vote per state. • However, what was effective in a time of war found itself not effective once the war was over. • poor funding • state rights were greater than the National government; left it weak

More problems • economic problems of indebtedness & depression nationally & in SC • disagreements over interstate trade, currency and taxes • This proved the Confederation government too weak to meet the needs of the Nation.

Change begins Click here for SC Hall of Fame 13 min video of Charles Pinckney. • South Carolinian Charles Pinckney was an early advocate for a stronger national government. • He chaired a committee of the Confederation Congress that recommended amendments that would strengthen the government. • He also served on a committee trying to persuade other states to pay their obligations to the national government.

Shay’s Rebellion • Backcountry rebellion in Massachusetts raised the fear of insurrection. • Other states called for a meeting in Philadelphia to amend the articles and strengthen the National Government.