American History: Chapter

6 The Constitution and the New Republic

Framing A New Government

• Many Americans championed a new, strong, central government

• Newburgh Conspiracyo Military members were upset about not receiving pensionso Washington helped prevent the rebellion

• Major weakness of Articles?o Lack of ability to tax

• Annapolis Convention (1786):o 5 states show up to discuss commerceo Alexander Hamilton gains a promise to meet the following year in

Philadelphia

• Shays’ Rebellion helped people demand a strong central government

Framing A New Government Cont.

• Constitutional Convention:o 55 delegates from 12 states (save RI)

• Key Players:o George Washington – president of the Conventiono Edmund Randolph (VA) – proposed 3 branches

• Issue of Representation:o VA Plan (James Madison):

• Bicameral (2-house) legislature based on representationo NJ Plan (William Paterson)

• Unicameral (1-house) legislature with each state having equal representation

o Great (Connecticut) Compromise (Roger Sherman):• Bicameral legislature: lower house (House of Reps) would be based

on population; upper house (Senate) would have 2 representatives per stateo Side note: Senators were to be elected by state legislatures,

NOT by popular vote

Framing A New Government Cont.

• Other Compromiseso 3/5 Compromise

• Slaves would count towards 3/5 of a person when determining population in the House

o Slave-Trade Compromise:• Slave importation could not be stopped prior to 1808

o Commerce Compromise:• Congress could tax imports (tariffs), but not exports

• Sovereignty:o Where does it lie? Who has ultimate power?

• The people – James Madison

• Supremacy Clause:o Constitution would be the supreme law of the land

• Necessary and Proper (Elastic)o Congress could make laws that are “necessary and proper”

Framing A New Government Cont.

• Judiciary Act of 1789:o Created the Supreme Court with 1 chief justice and 5 associate justices

• Creation of Executive Departments:o State, Treasury, and War

• The Cabinet:o Part of “Unwritten” Constitutiono Heads are appointed by the President, approved by the Senate

• State – Jefferson• Treasury – Hamilton• War - Knox

o Throughout Washington’s 1st term, Jefferson and Hamilton battled over government role and philsophy

Federalists and Republicans

• Federalists (Political Party):o Led by Alexander Hamiltono Favored a strong central governmento Supported by wealthy and merchants

• Hamilton’s Financial Plan:o Federal government would assume state debts o Federal government would pay off debt at full face value (funding at par)o Creation of the Bank of the US (BUS)

• Hamilton loosely interpreted Constitution, referred to the Elastic Clauseo Excise Tax – tax on manufactured goodso Tariff – tax on imported goods

• Jefferson and his supporters (Republicans) agreed to the plan when the capital was moved to the South

Federalists and Republicans Cont.

• Republican Party (Democrat-Republicans or Jeffersonians):o Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madisono Believed farmers were the backbone of the economyo Pro-French

• French Revolution o Republicans supported the revolution, Federalists were horrified by the

horror of the revolution

Establishing National Sovereignty

• Whiskey Rebellion (1794):o In response to the excise tax on Whiskeyo Washington summoned state militiaso Rebellion was quickly stoppedo Demonstrated the power of the new government

• Native Americans:o Were not granted citizenshipo Not considered “foreign Nations” as European countries wereo No direct representation in government

Establishing National Sovereignty Cont.

• US Neutrality:o Washington urged neutrality in war between France and Britain

• “Citizen Genet”o French diplomat that urged the Americans to go to war against Britain

• Jay’s Treaty:o Treaty with Britaino US received compensation for damaged ships (upset the South)o Britain promised to leave posts (forts) o Prevented War/Remain Neutral

• Pinckney’s Treaty:o Treaty with Spaino US granted navigation rights on the Mississippi River (Right of Deposit)

in New Orleans

The Downfall of the Federalists

• Election of 1796:o Adams becomes President, Jefferson his VP

• Washington’s Farewell Address:o Warned against foreign alliances

• XYZ Affair:o 3 US diplomats sent to Franceo 3 French diplomats, “XYZ” demanded a bribeo War hysteria ensues

• Quasi War:o Undeclared naval war between US and Franceo Ends with Napoleon’s reign

The Downfall of the Federalists Cont.

• Alien and Sedition Acts (1798):o Purpose: to punish opposition to Federalist Party and the Adams’

administrationo Alien Act:

• Increased residency requirement for foreigners to become citizens• President could deport foreigners

o Sedition Act:• Made it illegal to criticize the government• 10 Republican newspaper editors were convicted under the law

• Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions:o Written by Jefferson (KY) and Madison (VA):o Urged states to nullify the Alien and Sedition Actso More symbolic at the time

The Downfall of the Federalists Cont.

• The “Revolution” of 1800o Adams v. Jefferson in election of 1800o Jefferson and Burr tie for presidency, Jefferson eventually wins, Burr

becomes VP

• Why is it called a revolution?o Peaceful transition of power between political parties

• Judiciary Act of 1801:o Passed by Federalist Congress while Adams was still presidento Created many new federal judgeships o Adams appointed many in his last days of office

• “Midnight Judges”o A showdown is coming……….

Past Essay Topics• Analyze the reasons for the Anti-Federalists’

opposition to ratifying the Constitution (2008 Free Response)

• To what extent was the United States Constitution a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation? (2005 Form B Free Response)

That’s it!Subscribe to my channelHelp spread the word• Questions? Comments? Ideas for videos?

o Leave in comments

SubscribeDown here!