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The Constitution and New Republic 1776 - 1800

Explore the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, where representatives from all states except Rhode Island gathered to create a national government capable of addressing the issues faced by the newly formed United States. Learn about key figures such as Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and James Madison, and delve into the debates and compromises that shaped the U.S. Constitution.

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The Constitution and New Republic 1776 - 1800

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  1. The Constitution and New Republic 1776 - 1800 Chapter 6

  2. Philadelphia Convention • Unpopular Government • 1783 members of Confederation Congress withdrew from Philadelphia to escape army vets • difficult to secure a quorum to sign a treaty ending the war • 1780s wealthy and powerful groups demand a national government capable of dealing with problems that effected them

  3. Issues • different taxes in different states, desire for one national duty • wealthy individuals wanted an end to paper money • large property owners looked for protection from mobs • “Indian Menace”

  4. Constitutional Convention • General Info • Lasted from May to Sept. 1787 • fifty-five men • all states except Rhode Island • average age was 44 (young!) • represented property interests • feared “turbulence and follies” of democracy • products of Revolution

  5. Alexander Hamilton (NY) • Aide to General Washington • Unhappy with A of C • Called for National Convention (w. James Madison)

  6. George Washington (VA) • important figure • initially did not want to join the cause • Shays Rebellion freaked him out! • Support gave the meeting credibility • Unanimously chosen to preside over convention

  7. James Madison (VA) • 36 years old • idea of a national government • two houses: “upper” and “lower” (a.k.a. Virginia Plan) • credited (by Brinkley) as being most important cast member • created plans to resolve issue of sovereignty and limit power

  8. Edmund Randolph (VA) • Older delegate who Madison spoke through • credited with proposing three branches of Government • idea originated from Baron de Montesquieu (France)

  9. Ben Franklin • Oldest delegate: 81 • “heated” arguments • Served to sooth the delegates (pg. 197 quote)

  10. Thomas Jefferson (VA) • In France at time of convention • Wrote continual letters to almost every member • Viewed Shay’s Rebellion differently than most, including Washington. • “a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical” Brinkley, pg. 196

  11. Politics of Convention • Each member has a single vote • Simple majority, doesn’t need to be unanimous

  12. Issues • Representation (Small v. Large States) • “heated” disagreements • Grand committee • Single representative • “Great Compromise” • Two houses • “lower” based on population (House of Reps) • “upper” equal representation (Senate)

  13. Issues Cont’d • South (v. North) and Slavery (representation) • No tax on exports (cotton, tobacco) • No tax on slaves more than $10 • No authority to stop slave trade for 20 years • Concentrated Authority (Federal v. States Rights) • Separation of powers • 3 branches: executive, judicial, legislative

  14. Issues Cont’d • Sovereignty • State and federal • Power • US Constitution would be “supreme law” • Federal government would have the power to: • Tax • Big difference from Articles of Confederation • Unresolved • No definition of citizenship • Absence of individual rights

  15. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists • Ratification • Convention changed the rules • Federalists • Supporters of the Constitution • Organized • Eminent leaders • Federalist Papers • Feared chaos

  16. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Cont’d • Anti-Federalists • People against Ratification • Believed Constitution corrupted principles of Revolution • No government could be trusted • Ratification (continued) • States

  17. Washington’s Presidency • The First President • Received the votes of all presidential electors • Bill of Rights • Even people originally against a Bill of Rights (Madison) believed it was important to legitimize gov’t • Congress approved First TWELVE Amendments • Ten of them were ratified by the states by the end of 1791

  18. Washington’s Presidency Cont’d • Bill of Rights Cont’d • 9 placed limits on Congress by forbidding it to take away human rights • One (#10) reserve to the states all powers except those specifically withheld from them or delegated to the federal government

  19. Washington’s Presidency Cont’d • Washington’s Cabinet • Henry Knox= Secretary of War • Alexander Hamilton = Secretary of Treasury • Edmund Randolph= Attorney General • Thomas Jefferson= Secretary of State

  20. Hamilton’s Financial Program • Elitist Prospective • Support the wealthy and powerful • “Funding the Debt” • Wanted to create a large national debt • National Bank • Provide loans and currency to business • Safe place for federal funds

  21. Hamilton’s Financial Program Cont’d • Revenue • Lands in the west • Excise taxes • Liquors • Imports • Dissent • Bonds • Assumption Bill • Bank Bill

  22. Hamilton’s Financial Program Cont’d • Results • Won support of influential segments of the population • Large profits • Manufactures benefitted from taxes on imports • Small farmers and average people saw Federalist program as only benefitting a small group of wealthy elites

  23. Institutionalized Factionalism (AKA Early Political Parties) • Federalists • Base Philosophies • Strong central, national government • Complex economy • World power • Enlightened ruling class • Horrified by French Revolution • Alexander Hamilton

  24. Institutionalized Factionalism (AKA Early Political Parties) • Republicans • Not connected to the modern Republican Party which was founded in 1850 • Base Philosophies • Organized to counter growing tyrannical structure • Modest central gov’t • Rural agrarian • Most power to states and people • Supported French Revolution • James Madison and Thomas Jefferson • TJ identified himself as a farmer • Fearful of advance industrial economy

  25. Foreign and Domestic Difficulties • Fallout • Whiskey tax • Hamilton urges Washington to raise a united militia from 3 states • 15,000 troops led by Washington himself • Message: no more rebellions • Native Americans • Land • Many in NW and SW still in Alliance w/ British and Spanish • Ordinances of 1784-87 lead to border conflicts • Constitution left the question unanswered over who was in control of the West

  26. Foreign and Domestic Difficulties Cont’d • Native Americans Cont’d • Rights • “not taxed” • Regulate commerce • not “foreign Nations” • No representation • Maintaining Neutrality • French at War • 1789 new French gov’t went to war with GB and it’s allies • US hopes to preserve Neutrality

  27. John Adam’s Presidency • Strange Election • Adams nominated as head of Federalists • Deterioration of French Relations • Jay’s and Pinckney’s treaties • Maintained neutrality • Established NW sovereignty • XYZ Affair • Led to an undeclared war against France • Navy won a series of duels with French vessels • Became an ally with Britain in war against France

  28. John Adam’s Presidency Cont’d • Deterioration of French Relations Cont’d • The Alien and Sedition Acts (among the most controversial legislation in American History) • Alien Act • Placed obstacles in the way of foreigners who wished to become American citizens • Discouraged immigration and many people left country

  29. John Adam’s Presidency Cont’d • Sedition Act • Prosecute anyone engaged in “sedition” against gov’t • 10 Republican newspaper editors arrested • Republican counter-action • Supreme Court did not have authority to overrule and act of Congress at the time • Jefferson and Madison turn to the states • Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions argue that national gov’t cannot exercise “unauthoritative powers” • Results • Virginia and Kentucky only states to declare statues void • Dispute between Republicans and Federalists rise to a national level • Nation divided politically

  30. The “Revolution” of 1800 • Political Welfare • Feds accuse Jefferson of: • Being radical = “Reign of Terror” • Romance? • Republicans accuse Adams of: • Being a tyrant trying to be a king • Subverting liberty • Imposing slavery on the people

  31. New law requires two person on ballot • Republicans plan to have Jefferson win and Burr second (VP) • But there’s a tie at 73 each (so it goes to the House, where Federalists dominate) • After a bunch of votes, Hamilton argues that Burr is untrustworthy!- and Jefferson wins! • This creates some resentment by Burr! • MIDNIGHT APPOINTMENTS! • Before Adams leaves office he tries to fill in a bunch of new commissions, signing up to midnight on his last day in office.

  32. Revolution of 1800!? • Was it a revolution? • YES = It was a change in the political party in control of the government (also bloodless) • NO – there was no change in political system (constitution), economy or society!

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