Constitution and the New Nation

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Allowed for the creation of new states in the Northwest Territory. Also called for the creation of territorial and state governments. Forbade slavery Provided for Public education Called for fair dealings with the Indians.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation No national unity No ability to tax No ability to regulate foreign or interstate trade Each state had one vote in congress, regardless of population size 9/13 to pass important laws All 13 to revise the Articles No executive branch No national court system

New Constitution Three branches of government to provide checks and balances Executive branch Judicial branch Legislative branch

The Great Compromise Bicameral legislature: The House of Representatives and the Senate House representation based on population Senate- each state allowed 2 votes Lengths of term provided for each Senators were originally selected by state legislatures.

Three-fifths Compromise 3/5ths of the number of slaves would be counted for both representation and taxation. National government forbidden to interfere with the slave trade until 1808

Government Power in the Constitution Division of power – Federalism Separation of powers – three branches Checks and balances – check the actions of the other two branches.

Federalists and Anti-Federalists Supported the Constitution Strongest in urban areas Want a strong central government Supported by merchants, skilled workers, laborers Washington, Hamilton, Madison Opposed the Constitution as written Strongest in rural areas Opposed a strong central government Concerned that the Constitution didn’t include a Bill of Rights. Samuel Adams, Jefferson, Patrick Henry

Federalist Papers Series of essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay in favor of the Constitution. In-depth analysis of the Constitution including: Separation of powers, specific provisions, majority rule balanced with sustaining minority rights. Anti-Federalists wrote “Letters from the Federal Farmer” arguing for a Bill of Rights that would protect individual liberties.

The Bill of Rights Lists the important civil liberties to which all Americans are entitled.

Development of Political Parties Hamilton – Federalist Party Jefferson – Democratic Republicans Strong federal government Rule by elite Loose interpretation of the Constitution National Bank Pay state debts Merchants, landowners, investors, wealthy Supported Britain in foreign affairs. Power to the states Farmers and commoners can rule themselves Strict interpretation of the Constitution Pay national debts, not state. Opposed a National Bank Supported France in foreign affairs.

National Bank A National Bank was proposed. Hold government funds Circulate uniform national currency Lend money to the government

National Bank Jefferson and Madison argued that the Constitution made no provision for establishing a bank (strict interpretation) Hamilton argued that the bank was “necessary and proper’ to perform the government’s financial duties (loose construction). Congress approved a 20 year charter for the “Bank of the United States”

The Whiskey Rebellion 1794 Western Pennsylvania farmers, who relied on selling their distilled grain, rebelled against the excise tax. A strong militia force scattered the rebels Incident confirmed the power of the national government to enforce its laws For most Westerners this provided additional reasons to support the Jeffersonian opposition.

Foreign Issues French Revolution – declared Neutrality Northwest Territory – defeat = Ohio Jay’s Treaty – not popular Pickney’s Treaty – Miss. River and Florida

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) Federalist-controlled Congress passed laws to hurt the other party. A Naturalization Act lengthened the residence requirement for aliens (considered likely to vote Republican) to become citizens. A Sedition Act provided for restrictions on free speech and freedom of the press.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798) Republicans turned to state legislatures to oppose the Alien and Sedition Acts. Resolutions affirmed the compact theory of government: theory says that the states were in a compact with the federal government, and if the government oversteps its bounds, then the states have the right to reject (nullify) the law.

Significance of all this: We develop a flexible, strong Federal government that still exists today. Political parties were formed. The idea of nullification was used later, especially in the South. America still got pulled into foreign conflicts, despite our efforts otherwise. The right to dissent was endangered.