The Constitution and The Constitution and New Republic 1776 - New Republic 1776 - 18001800

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Philadelphia Philadelphia ConventionConvention Unpopular GovernmentUnpopular Government

1783 members of Confederation 1783 members of Confederation Congress withdrew from Philadelphia Congress withdrew from Philadelphia to escape army vetsto escape army vets

difficult to secure a quorum to sign a difficult to secure a quorum to sign a treaty ending the wartreaty ending the war

1780s wealthy and powerful groups 1780s wealthy and powerful groups demand a national government demand a national government capable of dealing with problems that capable of dealing with problems that effected themeffected them

IssuesIssues

– different taxes in different states, different taxes in different states, desire for one national dutydesire for one national duty

– wealthy individuals wanted an end wealthy individuals wanted an end to paper moneyto paper money

– large property owners looked for large property owners looked for protection from mobsprotection from mobs

– ““Indian Menace”Indian Menace”

Constitutional Constitutional ConventionConvention

– General InfoGeneral Info Lasted from May to Sept. 1787Lasted from May to Sept. 1787 fifty-five menfifty-five men all states except Rhode Islandall states except Rhode Island average age was 44 (young!)average age was 44 (young!) represented property interestsrepresented property interests feared “turbulence and follies” of feared “turbulence and follies” of

democracydemocracy products of Revolutionproducts of Revolution

Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton (NY)(NY)

Aide to General Aide to General WashingtonWashington

Unhappy with A Unhappy with A of Cof C

Called for Called for National National Convention (w. Convention (w. James Madison)James Madison)

George Washington George Washington (VA)(VA)

important figureimportant figure initially did not initially did not

want to join the want to join the causecause

Shays Rebellion Shays Rebellion freaked him out!freaked him out!

Support gave the Support gave the meeting credibilitymeeting credibility

Unanimously Unanimously chosen to preside chosen to preside over conventionover convention

James Madison (VA)James Madison (VA)

36 years old36 years old idea of a national idea of a national

governmentgovernment two houses: two houses:

“upper” and “upper” and “lower” (a.k.a. “lower” (a.k.a. Virginia PlanVirginia Plan))

credited (by credited (by Brinkley) as being Brinkley) as being most important most important cast membercast member

created plans to created plans to resolve issue of resolve issue of sovereignty and sovereignty and limit powerlimit power

Edmund Randolph (VA)Edmund Randolph (VA)

Older delegate Older delegate who Madison who Madison spoke throughspoke through

credited with credited with proposing three proposing three branches of branches of GovernmentGovernment

idea originated idea originated from Baron de from Baron de Montesquieu Montesquieu (France)(France)

Ben FranklinBen Franklin

Oldest delegate: Oldest delegate: 8181

““heated” heated” argumentsarguments

Served to sooth Served to sooth the delegates the delegates (pg. 197 quote)(pg. 197 quote)

Thomas Jefferson (VA)Thomas Jefferson (VA)

In France at time of In France at time of conventionconvention

Wrote continual letters Wrote continual letters to almost every memberto almost every member

Viewed Shay’s Rebellion Viewed Shay’s Rebellion differently than most, differently than most, including Washington.including Washington.

““a little rebellion, now a little rebellion, now and then, is a good and then, is a good thing, and as necessary thing, and as necessary in the political world as in the political world as storms in the physical” storms in the physical” Brinkley, pg. 196Brinkley, pg. 196

Politics of ConventionPolitics of Convention

Each member has a single voteEach member has a single vote Simple majority, doesn’t need to Simple majority, doesn’t need to

be unanimousbe unanimous

IssuesIssues

Representation (Small v. Large Representation (Small v. Large States)States)– ““heated” disagreementsheated” disagreements– Grand committeeGrand committee– Single representativeSingle representative– ““Great Compromise”Great Compromise”

Two housesTwo houses ““lower” based on population (House of Reps)lower” based on population (House of Reps) ““upper” equal representation (Senate)upper” equal representation (Senate)

Issues Cont’dIssues Cont’d

South (v. North) and Slavery South (v. North) and Slavery (representation)(representation)– No tax on exports (cotton, tobacco)No tax on exports (cotton, tobacco)– No tax on slaves more than $10No tax on slaves more than $10– No authority to stop slave trade for 20 yearsNo authority to stop slave trade for 20 years

Concentrated Authority (Federal v. Concentrated Authority (Federal v. States Rights)States Rights)– Separation of powersSeparation of powers– 3 branches: executive, judicial, legislative3 branches: executive, judicial, legislative

Issues Cont’dIssues Cont’d

SovereigntySovereignty– State and federalState and federal– PowerPower– US Constitution would be “supreme law”US Constitution would be “supreme law”– Federal government would have the power Federal government would have the power

to:to: TaxTax

– Big difference from Articles of ConfederationBig difference from Articles of Confederation UnresolvedUnresolved

– No definition of citizenshipNo definition of citizenship– Absence of individual rightsAbsence of individual rights

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists vs. Anti-FederalistsFederalists RatificationRatification

– Convention changed the rulesConvention changed the rules FederalistsFederalists

– Supporters of the ConstitutionSupporters of the Constitution OrganizedOrganized Eminent leadersEminent leaders Federalist PapersFederalist Papers Feared chaosFeared chaos

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Cont’dFederalists Cont’d Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists

– People against RatificationPeople against Ratification Believed Constitution corrupted Believed Constitution corrupted

principles of Revolutionprinciples of Revolution No government could be trusted No government could be trusted

Ratification (continued)Ratification (continued)– StatesStates

Washington’s Washington’s PresidencyPresidency The First PresidentThe First President

– Received the votes of all presidential electorsReceived the votes of all presidential electors Bill of RightsBill of Rights

– Even people originally against a Bill of Rights Even people originally against a Bill of Rights (Madison) believed it was important to (Madison) believed it was important to legitimize gov’tlegitimize gov’t

– Congress approved First TWELVE Congress approved First TWELVE AmendmentsAmendments

– Ten of them were ratified by the states by Ten of them were ratified by the states by the end of 1791the end of 1791

Washington’s Washington’s Presidency Cont’dPresidency Cont’d Bill of Rights Cont’dBill of Rights Cont’d

– 9 placed limits on Congress by 9 placed limits on Congress by forbidding it to take away human forbidding it to take away human rightsrights

– One (#10) reserve to the states all One (#10) reserve to the states all powers except those specifically powers except those specifically withheld from them or delegated to withheld from them or delegated to the federal governmentthe federal government

Washington’s Washington’s Presidency Cont’dPresidency Cont’d Washington’s Washington’s

CabinetCabinet– Henry Knox= Henry Knox=

Secretary of WarSecretary of War– Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton

= Secretary of = Secretary of TreasuryTreasury

– Edmund Randolph= Edmund Randolph= Attorney GeneralAttorney General

– Thomas Jefferson= Thomas Jefferson= Secretary of StateSecretary of State

Hamilton’s Financial Hamilton’s Financial ProgramProgram

Elitist ProspectiveElitist Prospective– Support the wealthy Support the wealthy

and powerfuland powerful ““Funding the Debt”Funding the Debt”

– Wanted to create a Wanted to create a large national debtlarge national debt

National BankNational Bank– Provide loans and Provide loans and

currency to businesscurrency to business– Safe place for Safe place for

federal fundsfederal funds

Hamilton’s Financial Hamilton’s Financial Program Cont’dProgram Cont’d RevenueRevenue

– Lands in the westLands in the west– Excise taxesExcise taxes

LiquorsLiquors ImportsImports

DissentDissent– BondsBonds– Assumption BillAssumption Bill– Bank BillBank Bill

Hamilton’s Financial Hamilton’s Financial Program Cont’dProgram Cont’d ResultsResults

– Won support of influential segments Won support of influential segments of the populationof the population

– Large profitsLarge profits– Manufactures benefitted from taxes Manufactures benefitted from taxes

on importson imports– Small farmers and average people Small farmers and average people

saw Federalist program as only saw Federalist program as only benefitting a small group of wealthy benefitting a small group of wealthy eliteselites

Institutionalized Institutionalized Factionalism (AKA Early Factionalism (AKA Early Political Parties)Political Parties) FederalistsFederalists

– Base PhilosophiesBase Philosophies Strong central, national governmentStrong central, national government Complex economyComplex economy World powerWorld power Enlightened ruling classEnlightened ruling class Horrified by French RevolutionHorrified by French Revolution

– Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton

Institutionalized Institutionalized Factionalism (AKA Early Factionalism (AKA Early Political Parties)Political Parties)

RepublicansRepublicans– Not connected to the modern Republican Not connected to the modern Republican

Party which was founded in 1850Party which was founded in 1850– Base PhilosophiesBase Philosophies

Organized to counter growing tyrannical structureOrganized to counter growing tyrannical structure Modest central gov’tModest central gov’t Rural agrarianRural agrarian Most power to states and peopleMost power to states and people Supported French RevolutionSupported French Revolution

– James Madison and Thomas JeffersonJames Madison and Thomas Jefferson TJ identified himself as a farmerTJ identified himself as a farmer Fearful of advance industrial economyFearful of advance industrial economy

Foreign and Domestic Foreign and Domestic DifficultiesDifficulties FalloutFallout

– Whiskey taxWhiskey tax– Hamilton urges Washington to raise a Hamilton urges Washington to raise a

united militia from 3 statesunited militia from 3 states 15,000 troops led by Washington himself15,000 troops led by Washington himself Message: no more rebellionsMessage: no more rebellions

Native AmericansNative Americans– Land Land

Many in NW and SW still in Alliance w/ British Many in NW and SW still in Alliance w/ British and Spanishand Spanish

Ordinances of 1784-87 lead to border conflictsOrdinances of 1784-87 lead to border conflicts Constitution left the question unanswered over Constitution left the question unanswered over

who was in control of the Westwho was in control of the West

Foreign and Domestic Foreign and Domestic Difficulties Cont’dDifficulties Cont’d Native Americans Cont’dNative Americans Cont’d

– RightsRights ““not taxed”not taxed” Regulate commerceRegulate commerce not “foreign Nations”not “foreign Nations” No representationNo representation

Maintaining NeutralityMaintaining Neutrality– French at WarFrench at War

1789 new French gov’t went to war with GB and 1789 new French gov’t went to war with GB and it’s alliesit’s allies

US hopes to preserve NeutralityUS hopes to preserve Neutrality

John Adam’s John Adam’s PresidencyPresidency Strange ElectionStrange Election

– Adams nominated as head of FederalistsAdams nominated as head of Federalists Deterioration of French RelationsDeterioration of French Relations

– Jay’s and Pinckney’s treatiesJay’s and Pinckney’s treaties Maintained neutralityMaintained neutrality Established NW sovereigntyEstablished NW sovereignty

– XYZ AffairXYZ Affair Led to an undeclared war against FranceLed to an undeclared war against France Navy won a series of duels with French vesselsNavy won a series of duels with French vessels Became an ally with Britain in war against Became an ally with Britain in war against

FranceFrance

John Adam’s John Adam’s Presidency Cont’dPresidency Cont’d Deterioration of French Relations Deterioration of French Relations

Cont’dCont’d– The Alien and Sedition Acts (among The Alien and Sedition Acts (among

the most controversial legislation in the most controversial legislation in American History)American History) Alien ActAlien Act

– Placed obstacles in the way of foreigners Placed obstacles in the way of foreigners who wished to become American citizenswho wished to become American citizens

– Discouraged immigration and many people Discouraged immigration and many people left countryleft country

John Adam’s John Adam’s Presidency Cont’dPresidency Cont’d Sedition ActSedition Act

– Prosecute anyone engaged in “sedition” against gov’tProsecute anyone engaged in “sedition” against gov’t– 10 Republican newspaper editors arrested10 Republican newspaper editors arrested

Republican counter-actionRepublican counter-action– Supreme Court did not have authority to overrule and Supreme Court did not have authority to overrule and

act of Congress at the timeact of Congress at the time– Jefferson and Madison turn to the statesJefferson and Madison turn to the states– Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions argue that national Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions argue that national

gov’t cannot exercise “unauthoritative powers”gov’t cannot exercise “unauthoritative powers” ResultsResults

– Virginia and Kentucky only states to declare statues Virginia and Kentucky only states to declare statues voidvoid

– Dispute between Republicans and Federalists rise to a Dispute between Republicans and Federalists rise to a national levelnational level

– Nation divided politicallyNation divided politically

The “Revolution” of The “Revolution” of 18001800 Political WelfarePolitical Welfare Feds accuse Jefferson of:Feds accuse Jefferson of:

– Being radical = “Reign of Terror”Being radical = “Reign of Terror”– Romance?Romance?

Republicans accuse Adams of:Republicans accuse Adams of:– Being a tyrant trying to be a kingBeing a tyrant trying to be a king– Subverting libertySubverting liberty– Imposing slavery on the peopleImposing slavery on the people

New law requires two person on ballot New law requires two person on ballot – Republicans plan to have Jefferson win Republicans plan to have Jefferson win

and Burr second (VP) and Burr second (VP) – But there’s a tie at 73 each (so it goes to But there’s a tie at 73 each (so it goes to

the House, where Federalists dominate)the House, where Federalists dominate)– After a bunch of votes, Hamilton argues After a bunch of votes, Hamilton argues

that Burr is untrustworthy!- and Jefferson that Burr is untrustworthy!- and Jefferson wins!wins!

– This creates some resentment by Burr!This creates some resentment by Burr! MIDNIGHT APPOINTMENTS!MIDNIGHT APPOINTMENTS!

– Before Adams leaves office he tries to fill Before Adams leaves office he tries to fill in a bunch of new commissions, signing in a bunch of new commissions, signing up to midnight on his last day in office.up to midnight on his last day in office.

Revolution of 1800!?Revolution of 1800!?

Was it a revolution?Was it a revolution?– YES = It was a change in the YES = It was a change in the

political party in control of the political party in control of the government (also bloodless)government (also bloodless)

– NO – there was no change in political NO – there was no change in political system (constitution), economy or system (constitution), economy or society! society!