Early American History: Articles of Confederation-Constitution

SSUSH5 The student will explain specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation of the United States Constitution. a. Explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and Daniel Shays’ Rebellion led to a call for a stronger central government. b. Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and Federalists during the debate on ratification of the Constitution as put forth in The Federalist concerning form of government, factions, checks and balances, and the power of the executive, including the roles of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. c. Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise, separation of powers (influence of Montesquieu), limited government, and the issue of slavery. d. Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of individual and states’ rights. e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political parties (Alexander Hamilton).

Aftermath of the Revolutionary War

Revolutionary War

• Ended by Treaty of Paris (1783)

• Government:– 2nd Continental Congress

– Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

a. Explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and Daniel Shays’ Rebellion

led to a call for a stronger central government.

Development of the Articles

• Plan drafted by John Dickinson– Supported by Benjamin Franklin

• Articles of Confederation presented to Congress on July 12th, 1776– Adopted by Congress - November 15th, 1777– All states had agreed by 1781 – took effect– Guaranteed each state “sovereignty, freedom

and independence”

Articles of Confederation

• Congress of the Confederation– Members appointed by state legislatures– Each state had one vote

• Roles of the Congress– Conduct foreign affairs– Make treaties– Declare war– Coin money– Establish post offices

Weaknesses in the Articles

• Laws were hard to pass– Needed 9 of 13 states to approve– Amendments needed all 13 to approve

• Congress could not force the states to obey decisions or laws

• Congress could not tax or raise an army– Printed money that was not backed by specie

The Land Problem

• Many states had land claims that extended to Pacific Ocean– Land = money

• Western territory of states was surrendered to Congress

Land Ordinance of 1785

• Western land – “Northwest Territory”

• Divided into townships

• Townships divided into 640 acre lotsDID YOU KNOW: Each township had

one lot reserved for a school. This was the first federal aid for public education.

Typical Township

School

For public buildings/ veterans

Northwest Ordinance

• Established system of government for the Northwest territories

• Banned slavery in the territory

Also known as the Land Ordinance of 1787

Road to Statehood:

3-5 states would be created out of the land

When population reaches 5,000 eligible voters, it can elect a bicameral legislature and send a nonvoting member to Congress

When population reaches 60,000 free residents, it becomes eligible for statehood and can draft a state constitution.

Congress must then approve the new state

Shays’ Rebellion (1786)

• Led by Daniel Shays in Western Massachusetts

• Farmers protested against high taxes– Seized courthouses and closed down debtors

courts/property auctions

• Concerns: National government could not deal with issues that arise

Call for Reform

• Congress called for a Constitutional Convention

• Purpose: Revise the Articles of Confederation

• Began May 14, 1787

Constitutional Convention

• Met in secret– Why?

• Agreed to replace Articles with a new document– Would feature a stronger national government

Virginia Plan

• First proposed plan of government

• Major parts:– Bicameral Legislature (Congress)

• Representation based upon population or money• Lower house elected by voters, upper house by lower

– Executive• Chosen by Congress

– Judiciary• Chosen by Congress

Bicameral: Legislature with 2 separate parts, or houses

New Jersey Plan

• Counter proposal

• Major parts:– Unicameral Legislature (Congress)

• Equal representation

– Executive (more than 1)• Chosen by Congress, removed by state governors

– Judiciary (Supreme Court)• Chosen by Congress

Unicameral: Legislature with only 1 part (or house)

Virginia Plan v. New Jersey PlanVIRGINIA• Bicameral Congress

• Representation based on population/$

• 1 executive chosen by Congress

• Supported by large states

NEW JERSEY• Unicameral Congress

• Representation based on equality

• More than 1 executive chosen by Congress

• Supported by small states

Features of the Constitution

c. Explain the key features of the Constitution, specifically the Great Compromise, separation of powers (influence of Montesquieu), limited

government, and the issue of slavery.

Constitutional Compromises

• Great (or Connecticut)

• 3/5

• Commerce and Slave Trade

Great Compromise

• Debate over Representation

• Result:– Bicameral Congress– Upper Chamber: Senate– Lower Chamber: House of Representatives

Also called the Connecticut Compromise

SENATE• Smaller

• 2 per state– Equality!

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES• Larger

• Based on population

DID YOU KNOW: The Connecticut Compromise has also been called the “Great Compromise,” because without it we may not have had a new Constitution!

Great Compromise

Issue of Slavery

• Since population counts, what about slaves?

• Slave-holding states

• Non slave-holding states

Three-Fifths Compromise

Compromise by James Madison:

• All free persons counted, “all other persons” (i.e. slaves) count as five slaves equal three free people in terms of population.

• Used for both representation and taxes

Three-Fifths Compromise

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

• Congress had the power to regulate trade– Why could this be dangerous?

• Tariffs?– Export duties not allowed– Import duties allowed

• Slavery?– Importation of slaves allowed until at least 1807– Runaway slaves must be returned South

Remember, the population of the North was greater than that of the South. Many in the southern states were worried that the new Constitution would not protect them.

Separation of Powers

• Three Branches of Government

• Influence of Montesquieu– Contained in “Spirit of Laws” (1754)

Separation of Powers

Limited Government

• Government is not all powerful

• The government must operate under certain laws and protect the rights of both people and the states

Ticket out the Door

• Name one compromise, tell what it did and why you think it is important.

• Why do you think the members of the Constitutional Convention agreed to keep all of their discussions secret?

Federalists Anti-Federalists

b. Evaluate the major arguments of the anti-Federalists and Federalists during the

debate on ratification of the Constitution as put forth in The Federalist concerning form of government, factions, checks and balances, and the power of the executive, including the

roles of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Federalists

• People who favored ratification of the new Constitution

• Supported a strong national government– Reasons:

• Needed one for security/prosperity

Federalists

• Important Federalists:– James Madison– John Jay– Alexander Hamilton

Anti-Federalists

• People who were opposed to ratification of the new Constitution

• Opposed to a strong, central government– Reasons:

• Illegal – Convention was only to change Articles• Would destroy state’s rights• New gov’t resembled a monarchy

Anti-Federalists

• Important Anti-Federalists:– George Mason

– Patrick Henry

– George Clinton

– Richard Henry Lee

The Federalist

• Series of 85 essays– Written between the fall of 1787

and spring of 1788– By James Madison, Alexander

Hamilton and John Jay

• Most cited essays:– #10 – by James Madison– #51 – by James Madison– #84 – by Alexander Hamilton

Also known as “The Federalist Papers”

DID YOU KNOW: The Federalist Papers were written under the pseudonym Publius.

DID YOU KNOW: Anti-federalist writings were later collected and published as the “Anti-Federalist Papers.”

Arguments about form of government

FEDERALISTS• Stronger national

government was necessary for success

• The national government should have most of the power

ANTI-FEDERALISTS• Stronger national

government was just as bad as living under a king

• The states should have most of the power

Arguments about factions

FEDERALISTS• Would be easy to

handle any problems that come up

ANTI-FEDERALISTS• Factions would form

due to long terms for Representatives and Senators

• Factions would not help the common people– People only vote on

Representatives

Arguments about checks and balances

FEDERALISTS• Balancing powers

between different people will make sure none become too powerful

ANTI-FEDERALISTS• Most of the powers

should be in the state to be closer to the people to keep anyone from becoming too powerful

Arguments about executive power

FEDERALISTS• Constitution favored

election of rich

• No bill of rights to protect poorer and uneducated men

ANTI-FEDERALISTS• Too much power in

the hands of one man

• Executive is not elected by the people

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)

• First Secretary of the Treasury

• One of Washington’s closest advisors

• Influential Federalist

James Madison (1751-1836)

• “Father of the Constitution”

• “Architect” of the Constitution

• Influential Federalist

Ratification

Formal Approval of the Constitution

Ratification

• Each state had to vote to approve the Constitution

The Bill of Rights

d. Analyze how the Bill of Rights serves as a protector of

individual and states’ rights.

Bill of Rights

• 1st Ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

• Why were these passed?

As Protector of Individual Rights..

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

As Protector of States’ Rights..

What does this mean?

If a right is NOT given to the federal government, then it belongs to the states.

For example:

Congress is not given the right to give licenses to people – therefore, the states are the ones that do it. Each state can have it’s own individual laws.

America Under the Constitution

e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington

and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe,

and the development of political parties (Alexander Hamilton).

George Washington (1732-1799)

• President of Constitutional Convention

• War hero

• Unanimously elected first President of the United States under the U.S. Constitution (1789)

President of the United States: 1789-1797 (1st)

French & Indian War Revolutionary War

Washington’s Administration

• Vice President: John Adams

Cabinet:

• Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson

• Secretary of War: Henry Knox

• Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton

• Attorney General: Edmund Randolph

Created by Congress – not mentioned in Constitution

Major Events of Washington’s Presidency

• Creation of Cabinet (1789)

• Creation of Supreme Court / Court System– Judiciary Act of 1789

• Monetary Policy– Government would pay off all of its debts &

assume much of states’ debts– Bank of the United States (National Bank) - 1791

• Jay’s Treaty

• Whiskey Rebellion

Judiciary Act of 1789

• Established federal court system– District court in each state– Supreme Court

• 6 justices

• Defined the powers/jurisdiction of each court

Bank of the United States

• Purpose: – To provide stability to the financial system– To make credit available

Building that housed the First Bank of the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Argument over the Bank of the U.S.

Loose Construction• Supported by

Alexander Hamilton

• Congress could do anything UNLESS the Constitution said otherwise– “Necessary and

Proper” clause

Strict Construction• Supported by Thomas

Jefferson

• Congress could ONLY do what the Constitution specifically stated

Jay’s Treaty (1793)

• Goal: Avoid another war w/ Britain– Solve issues remaining from Revolution

• Main Results:– British would leave Northwest Territory in 1 year – Small US ships could trade in British West Indies – Rejection of American position on neutral rights

• Searches of American vessels/Impressment of sailors would continue

– No compensation for American ships/slaves taken

• Causes:– 1791 – Congress passes a tax on whiskey

• Rebellion:– 1794 – 6,000 men attacked U.S. Marshals

attempting to enforce the tax– Washington leads army of 13,000 – rebellion

ends

• Results:– Shows power of the federal government

Whiskey Rebellion

grain whiskeyEasier to transport

Flags carried by members of the rebellion

Non-intervention in Europe

• U.S. foreign policy

• First stated in George Washington’s Farewell Address

“Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent

controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence therefore it must be unwise to implicate ourselves,

by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships, or

enmities. . . . Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of

European Ambition, Rivalship, Interest, Humour, or Caprice?”

Development of Political Parties

• People divided over their view of the future of America – Democratic-Republicans

• Led by Thomas Jefferson• Strict Constructionists• Favored farmers, poor

– Federalists • Led by Alexander Hamilton• Loose Constructionists• Favored industry, rich

Development of Political Parties

FEDERALISTS• America should be

run by wealthy & educated

• Favored in the North

• Favored industry/ urban areas

DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS• Farmers and middle class

could be trusted to run country

• Favored in the South

• Favored rural areas

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)

• First Secretary of the Treasury– Founded Bank of

U.S.

• Influential Federalist– Believed in rule by

rich & powerful

Thomas Jefferson (1755-1804)

• Third President of the United States

• Influential Republican– Believed in rule by

the everyday man– Feared industry

John Adams (1735-1826)

• Politician from Massachusetts

• Served as Vice President under Washington– Handpicked by

Washington to be his successor

• Federalist

President of the United States: 1797-1801 (2nd)

Adams’ Administration

• Vice President: Thomas Jefferson

• Administration was a disaster– Many Federalists were still loyal to Alexander

Hamilton, not John Adams– Vice President Jefferson and President

Adams did not get along

XYZ Affair (1798)

• In response to Jay’s Treaty (1793), France began seizing American ships

• Negotiations – Three men sent to France to make peace

• Charles Pinckney, John Marshall, Elbridge Gerry

– Negotiations w/ France broke down• French officials demanded bribes

DID YOU KNOW: After the XYZ Affair, the U.S. and France fought a short, undeclared naval war.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

• Passed in response to undeclared war with France

• Purpose:– protect the U.S. from foreign influences

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

• What it did:– Lengthened citizenship residence requirement

from 5 to 14 yrs.– Gave President authority to deport any

“dangerous” foreigner– Illegal to “print, write, or speak in a scandalous or

malicious way against the government”

• Result:– Weakened Republicans

Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions (1798)

• Written by T. Jefferson & J. Madison– Democratic-Republicans

• State legislatures in KY and VA argued the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional– Therefore, states did not have to obey these

laws

Election of 1800

• Jefferson

vs.

• Adams

• Republicans win

• “Constitutional Crisis”

Election of 1800

• T. Jefferson and Aaron Burr receive the same number of electoral college votes– 73 each

• In case of tie = House of Reps. Votes– Federalists hoped to cause confusion by

supporting Burr– Hamilton disliked Jefferson but hated Burr

• Gives support to Jefferson• Jefferson officially selected president just a few weeks

before inauguration

Meant to be Vice

President

Result of the Election of 1800

• Twelfth Amendment– Separate vote in Electoral College for Pres. & VP

– In case of tie/no majority:• House votes on Pres.• Senate votes on Vice Pres.

– Vice President must be eligible to serve as Pres.

Each state with 1 vote