Constitution and New Republic, 1776-1800

1. Constitution and New Republic,1776-1800

2. Philadelphia Convention ‘87 • Washington agrees to preside only after Shays’ Rebellion • Complete overhaul of fed. gov’t on the agenda • Weaknesses of Art. of Con. obvious • Fear of centralized gov’t still strong

3. Madison and the VA Plan • Madison, Randolph and other Virginians dominate early proceedings • Executive, legislative, and judicial branches called for by Randolph • Bicameral Congress • Lower house by pop • Lower chooses upper

4. Small States Respond (NJ Plan) • Patterson calls for unicameral Congress • Equal rep. for all states • Increased taxing/interstate power • VA Plan supporters knew they had to compromise with the small states to ensure ratification

5. The Great Compromise • Bicameral Congress created • House of Rep. (Lower) • elected based on pop. • 3/5 compromise • Senate (Upper) • equal rep. for all states • Appointed by state leg.

6. Dodging the Issue • Southern delegates worry about the legality of slavery and the fed. gov’t interfering with it • Slave trade allowed to continue until 1808 • No heavy taxing on imported slaves

7. Federalists • Hamilton, Madison, and Jay (=Publius) publish The Federalist Papers • Thought a stronger, more centralized gov’t was needed • Abandoned the ideas of the Art. of Confederation • Feared chaos and the power of the people

8. Anti-Federalists • Jefferson led school of thought • Feared concentrated power • Trusted the will of the people • Thought Constitution was too removed from the people • Demanded a bill of rights

9. Bill of Rights • Appeased the Anti-Federalists • #1-9 stop Congress from impinging on rights • #10 Powers not mentioned reserved to the state gov’ts

10. Washington takes the oath of office

11. Washington’s Presidency • Received all electoral votes • Adams (Fed.) becomes VP • Remained “neutral” in politics (actually, supported Federalists)

12. Hamilton Sec. of Treasury Knox Sec. of War Randolph Attorney General Jefferson Sec. of State Tried to balance regions and viewpoints Rift develops between Hamilton and Jefferson Forming the First Cabinet

13. Hamilton’s Financial Program • Washington supported • Tried to gain support of the elite • Gov’t should assume public debt and state debt • Taxes raised by whiskey tax • Create a National Bank to stabilize financial structure

14. Opposition to Federalist Program • VA protests assuming state debts • Future capital is moved to DC as compromise • Small farmers protest taxes • National Bank • “Loose” interpretation of Const. troubled Jefferson, Madison, and co. • Passed over protests

15. Beginnings of Political Parties • Const. does not mention parties • Washington opposed them • These early squabbles created allies and enemies • Two camps emerge • Federalist • Republican (Anti-Federalist)

16. Securing the Frontier • Northwest Ordinance was not enough • Land claims sorted out • Whiskey Rebellion in PA put down by fed. gov’t. • NA barely mentioned in Const. and not dealt with clearly

17. Whiskey Rebellion Flag

18. Foreign Difficulties • Britain and France engaged in war • American neutrality declared • “Citizen Genet” • British impressment • Jay’s Treaty w/ Britain (Federalist influenced) • Pinckney’s Treaty w/ Spain (US can use the Mississippi)

19. Pinckney’s Treaty

20. John Adams’ Presidency • Washington’s Farewell Address • One-term Federalist, elected in 1796 over Jefferson (became VP) • Fed. were splintering

21. The Quasi War with France • XYZ Affair outrages Americans • Undeclared naval warfare • Eventually tensions cool

22. Alien and Sedition Acts • Fed. attempt to quiet Rep. Opposition • Alien Act • Harder for foreigners (tended to be Rep.) to become citizens • Sedition Act • Punished anti-gov’t activities (writings and otherwise)

23. The “Revolution” of 1800 • Rematch from 1796 • Bitter campaigns • Jefferson elected after 36 counts • Rep. Control exec. and leg. Branches • Fed. Control the judiciary • Adams appoints “midnight” judges