The Nationalists
Aside from the Articles of Confederation, each of the thirteen states created its own constitution. A constitution is a plan of government in which the role and responsibilities of the government are defined. Many leaders felt as though the state constitutions held more power than the Articles. However, their thoughts were not the same as the average colonist’s view.
By 1780, a political group known as the Nationalists was emerging. The Nationalists wanted to strengthen the power of the national government. In essence, they wanted to take some of the power held by the states and transform it into a more unified and concise role at the national level.
An impressive group, the Nationalists included former military leaders and lawyers, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. They were eager to point out some of the flaws associated with a weak government.
- Congress was unable to act or respond to issues of concern, both foreign and domestic, due to the lack of attendance of lawmakers.
- They feared that without a Judicial Branch at the national level, chaos would erupt as Congress tried to uphold the various laws.
- The Nationalists also feared that other countries would look at the United States as a failure, or as a country in political disarray.
- There was also a concern (this was probably the greatest fear of the Nationalists) that with the nation’s newly won independence, any sort of disorganization within the government would spark further rebellion by the colonists.