from the constitutional convention to washington’s farewell address (1787-1797

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From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

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From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797. What inference can you make regarding the long-range political influence of the South in Congress?. Granted the South disproportional representation in the House of Representatives. In the 1790s - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

Page 2: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797
Page 3: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

What inference can you make regarding the long-range political influence of the South in Congress?

Granted the South disproportional representation in the House of Representatives.In the 1790s

40% of all voters werein the South47% of seats inCongress were Southern

By 182030% of all voters were inthe South36% of seats in Congress

were Southern

Page 4: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Compromise over SlaveryOther Provisions: Guaranteed that slaves could be imported for 20 years, until 1808. Congress reserved the right to tax slave imports $10 per head. Agreement to return runaway slaves.

Page 5: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Compromise over Trade The Northern states wanted the new central government to regulate interstate and foreign trade. The South feared that if imports were taxed, so would exports. The North agreed to no export taxes in exchange for the power of the central government to regulate interstate & foreign trade.

This will all work out. Trust me.

Page 6: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Executive Branch

How was the Electoral College system to work?

Why did the FoundingFathers create the Electoral College?Each state would have

electors that would vote.Candidate’s receiving a simple majority of the state vote got the electoral votes.Electoral votes = # in the House of Reps + 2 senators.Candidate with the most votes becomes president. Second place became Vice President.

Many Founding Fathers feared the passions & excesses of the masses.The Electoral College was to serve as a buffer between the executive and the masses.

What powers of the new executivemight have concerned some Americans?

No term limitsCommander-in-Chief of military

Page 7: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Judicial Branch

Important agreements:• Judges should independent of

politics.• Nominated by the president

and confirmed by the Senate.• No election = less political

influence.• Serve for life during good

behavior.John Jay,

First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court

Page 8: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The final draft of the Constitution was approved on September 17, 1787. Constitution was sent to New York City for approval by the Confederation Congress. Without a formal approval, the Congress referred the Constitution to state ratification conventions. (Why not to the state legislatures?) To become the law of the land, nine out of thirteen states had to ratify the Constitution. Supporters of the Constitution became known as Federalists. Opponents were called Anti-Federalists.

Page 9: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Anti-Federalist ArgumentAnti-Federalist believed… Republicanism was based on a

strong legislature – not Executive A distant government in a large

republic could never protect the rights of the people

Traditional state power was being sacrificed for a strong central govt.

The new Executive Branch was too powerful: making the executive Commander-In-

Chief was dangerous maintaining a standing army during

peace time was an invitation for tyranny insisted that there be a Bill of Rights

Patrick Henry argues against the Constitution in the Virginia House of Burgesses.

Page 10: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Federalist ArgumentThe Federalist’s Position:• State governments would not support

the new Constitution• to sell the Constitution in New York,

they would have to make a convincing case – The Federalist Papers

• Three arguments:1. Cannot rely upon the civic virtue of the

people, leaders in a republic must rise above selfish pursuits.

2. Constitution imbedded with separation of powers and checks & balances.

Page 11: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Federalist Argument3. Representation at 3 levels would protect people’s rights:

First:The legislative branch, the house of Reps would

protect basic rights, while the Senate would protect state rights.

Second: The executive branch would protect national

interests.Third:

The judicial branch, the Supreme Court, would protect

people’s fundamental interests.In the end, the Federalists agreed to a Bill of Rights to ensure ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Page 12: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

What were the arguments for and

against a Bill of Rights?

Why did the Federalists win?

Page 13: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The 1st US CongressFirst convened in 1789, the First Congress focused on the following: adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution. establishing the executive departments within the executive branch: state, treasury & war. passed the Judiciary Act, which established the Supreme Court and Federal Court system. John Jay will serve as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. passed the Tariff Act of 1789, which imposed a 5% duty on all imports.

Page 14: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Washington Administration

See the textbook and Harper’s lecture notes for information regarding Washington’s Administration.

Page 15: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

Hamilton’s Financial PlanKeys to understanding Hamilton: Very pro-business Nation would not prosper until the

wealthiest Americans linked their financial interests to the nation’s financial progress.

Obsessive about order & stability, feared democracy = mob rule.

Favored a “loose” interpretation of the Constitution, which allowed the govt to make all laws “necessary and proper.”

Very much an Anglophile and looked to Britain as a model.

Page 16: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

Hamilton’s Financial PlanReport on the Public Credit: Pay off the debt on generous terms. Federal Govt to assume state debts. Create a permanently funded debt by

selling govt securities (loans) with 4% annual interest payments.

Hoped that wealthy Americans and foreign investors would buy securities and thus have a vested interest in the economic well being of the nation.*To gain passage of his economic policies, Hamilton compromises with Jefferson & Madison over the location of the future permanent capital, which will be on the banks of the Potomac River in Virginia & Maryland.

Page 17: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

Hamilton’s Financial PlanReport on the Public Credit: High import tariffs are levied, to protect

fledging US industries. Challenged by the Madison & Southerners who feared European retaliation against US exports.

Chartering of a National Bank to serve as an instrument of fiscal efficiency, economic regulation, and money creation.

Report on Manufactures: Called for additional import duties Creation of an excise or “sin” tax The rapid sale of western lands. (Raise

revenue) Federal stimulus for domestic industrial

production via subsidies & tax breaks.

Page 18: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

Foreign AffairsEuropean conflicts between 1789-1815, will challenge the first four American presidents.

The French RevolutionThe Napoleonic Wars

How did foreign affairs contribute to growing political partisanship?

What did Washington do?

Page 19: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Jay Treaty The British refused to abandon their posts

along the frontier until debts were addressed.

British closed ports to US ships. After war broke out between Britain and

France in 1793, the British began to seize US ships bound for France.

Jay’s negotiations with the British produced:No US commercial retaliation for 10 years in exchange for British

Leave their forts on the frontier Arbitration for Loyalist claims, prewar debts,

border disputes, and ship seizures Agreement to reopen Caribbean ports*No compensation for lost slaves.

Very unpopular with the Jefferson’s faction,seen as a capitulation to Britain.

Page 20: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

Pinckney’s Treaty & Native Americans

Pinckney’s Treaty:

See Harper’s lecture notes.

The Battle of Fallen Timbers:

See Harper’s lecture notes.

Page 21: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

The Whiskey RebellionPolitical Fallout: Washington’s involvement

severely damaged his reputation & legacy.

Anti-Federalist, now Democratic-Republicans under Jefferson, exploited for political gain.*See lecture notes.

See Harper’s lecture notes and your textbook for specifics.

Page 22: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797
Page 23: From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

Washington’s Farwell Address

GW warns Americans: Not to become involved

in European affairs. Against entering into

permanent alliances. To avoid forming

political parties. To avoid regional

sectionalism.