Embedded Files
To learn more about how citizens in the United States felt about various issues, you will look at the opinions of four Americans on 3 important issues.
I lost my husband in the War of Independence, which certainly tempered my joy when New Jersey was finally free. I say New Jersey won because it doesn't matter to me that the other colonies were also free. Only here can I, a landowning woman, vote like any other landholder. I fear a new central government that would tell the colonies what they had to do. We elected our own government and wrote our own state constitution here in New Jersey. It guarantees my rights. If South Carolina and Massachusetts can start telling New Jersey what to do, we are in trouble.
I lost my husband in the War of Independence, which certainly tempered my joy when New Jersey was finally free. I say New Jersey won because it doesn't matter to me that the other colonies were also free. Only here can I, a landowning woman, vote like any other landholder. I fear a new central government that would tell the colonies what they had to do. We elected our own government and wrote our own state constitution here in New Jersey. It guarantees my rights. If South Carolina and Massachusetts can start telling New Jersey what to do, we are in trouble.
Our money is as good as theirs, and I, for one, do not want to pay my taxes so a federal government can pay Spain for land along the Gulf of Mexico. What does that have to do with me? I can sell my milk and crops around home. I might make more if I sold them in New York, but I would have to pay a tariff. I will stick to New Jersey.
Our money is as good as theirs, and I, for one, do not want to pay my taxes so a federal government can pay Spain for land along the Gulf of Mexico. What does that have to do with me? I can sell my milk and crops around home. I might make more if I sold them in New York, but I would have to pay a tariff. I will stick to New Jersey.
I served Massachusetts loyally, fighting against the redcoats. I wasn't paid for years, and I am still owed money for my time as a soldier. Now the state has raised my land taxes to pay off their war debt. Farmers all around me are losing their farms because they can't afford it. Shays's Rebellion proves how bad things are getting.
I served Massachusetts loyally, fighting against the redcoats. I wasn't paid for years, and I am still owed money for my time as a soldier. Now the state has raised my land taxes to pay off their war debt. Farmers all around me are losing their farms because they can't afford it. Shays's Rebellion proves how bad things are getting.
Folks all over are hurting. Most of the money we do have is worthless. Every state issues its own coins and paper money, so we can't shop in other states. If I have a problem with someone who lives in another state, I can't sue in that state. We need a federal court system that would be fair for everyone. We need an army that will keep order, so people like Daniel Shays can't overthrow the state government. A federal government will also help us settle the western lands and build new states.
Folks all over are hurting. Most of the money we do have is worthless. Every state issues its own coins and paper money, so we can't shop in other states. If I have a problem with someone who lives in another state, I can't sue in that state. We need a federal court system that would be fair for everyone. We need an army that will keep order, so people like Daniel Shays can't overthrow the state government. A federal government will also help us settle the western lands and build new states.
I have seen the curse of the heavy hand of an oppressor. My state was in the grip of a foreign power that took our taxes and deprived us of our rights. I vowed never again to give up the rights of my people. We are a wealthy state, filled with traders who sell our goods up and down the Eastern coast. Yes, I hate that they have to pay tariffs to others states, but we collect them as well. Why should New Yorkers share their profits with the Southern colonies, which contribute so little?
I have seen the curse of the heavy hand of an oppressor. My state was in the grip of a foreign power that took our taxes and deprived us of our rights. I vowed never again to give up the rights of my people. We are a wealthy state, filled with traders who sell our goods up and down the Eastern coast. Yes, I hate that they have to pay tariffs to others states, but we collect them as well. Why should New Yorkers share their profits with the Southern colonies, which contribute so little?
The Congress needs the power to control the Western lands, but the New York Congress can take care of itself. If the British or Spanish try to attack us again, we can simply raise a new army. I know some states are calling for the Articles of Confederation to be changed to make the federal government stronger. I will not be a part of that. The limited government we have is best for the people.
The Congress needs the power to control the Western lands, but the New York Congress can take care of itself. If the British or Spanish try to attack us again, we can simply raise a new army. I know some states are calling for the Articles of Confederation to be changed to make the federal government stronger. I will not be a part of that. The limited government we have is best for the people.
Power and money are always at the root of our problem. We started a revolution, but now we have to build a nation. Congress is supposed to bring the American states together, but we can't do anything without money. We ask the states for money but they ignore us. Other nations ignore us, too, because they know any treaties we sign will not be approved by all the states.
Power and money are always at the root of our problem. We started a revolution, but now we have to build a nation. Congress is supposed to bring the American states together, but we can't do anything without money. We ask the states for money but they ignore us. Other nations ignore us, too, because they know any treaties we sign will not be approved by all the states.
The British won't leave our western lands because we do not have a real army to stop them. The Spanish control the Mississippi River and our people cannot use it. Our economy is in a deep recession because England floods our shores with goods for sale, but we cannot sell anything to England. We need a system to regulate interstate trade.
The British won't leave our western lands because we do not have a real army to stop them. The Spanish control the Mississippi River and our people cannot use it. Our economy is in a deep recession because England floods our shores with goods for sale, but we cannot sell anything to England. We need a system to regulate interstate trade.
Most of all, we need a central leader to unite the country. I know everyone fears that such a leader would make himself king. Still, someone has to find a way to get the states to compromise. This is getting uglier by the day.
Most of all, we need a central leader to unite the country. I know everyone fears that such a leader would make himself king. Still, someone has to find a way to get the states to compromise. This is getting uglier by the day.
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