The Consitution and the New Republic, 1787-1800 Unit 3 Ch.6

Weak Government Financial issues dominated the postwar agenda Without tariffs revenues, Congress could not pay debt interest A convention was called to deal with the issue of tariffs. First at Washington's home, then Annapolis, and finally Philadelphia

Philadelphia Convention James Madison’s Virginia Plan bicameral legislature with membership based on population William Paterson’s New Jersey Plan unicameral legislature with each state having equal votes Great Compromise bicameral legislature each state has equal representation in the Senate House of Representatives based on population

Philadelphia Convention Slavery conflict over slave representation- eventually settled at 3/5ths Congress would be denied power to regulate slavery for 20 years National Power Supreme law of land Taxation Military defense External commerce

“The Elastic Clause” Article 1 section 8 gives Congress the power to make laws to carry out its powers as defined in the Constitution

Debate over Ratification Federalists Nationalists for Constitution as is Antifederalists Feared losing power at state level; lack of bill of rights The Federalist Papers a political campaign to encourage ratification Ratification Conventions 9 of 13 states needed to ratify for Const. to be law

Devising the New Government Federalist swept the 1788 election Electoral College voted in Washington as president John Adams came in 2nd making him VP Cabinet State- Jefferson Treasury- Hamilton War- Henry Knox

Judiciary Act 1789 established a federal district court in each state cases involving federal laws could be appealed to the Supreme Court

The Bill of Rights 10 adopted in 1791 of 19 admitted by Madison eased Antifederalist fears of oppressive government addressed the issue of federalism balance of power between federal gov and states

Hamilton's Financial Program National Debt confederation notes redeemed at face value for interest-bearing securities created permanent national debt Patrick Henry and Madison called the plan immoral government would assume war debts of states and reimburse those that already paid it off agreed to build the capital along the Potomac

Hamilton’s Financial Program National Bank jointly owned by private stockholders and the gov provide stability through loans, handling gov funds, and issuing bills of credit Jefferson called the bank unconstitutional Revenue excise taxes (sales tax) higher tariffs on foreign imports Hamilton’s programs split the Federalist party Jefferson/Madison supporters called themselves Democratic Republicans

Jefferson’s Agrarian Vision Jefferson doubted factory laborers had the economic and political freedom to sustain a republic dreamed that American farmers would supply Europe with food and Americans would purchase European goods

Proclamation of Neutrality issued by Washington in 1793 in response to the European war caused by the French Revolution U.S. merchants passed Britain’s naval blockade of French ports American firms took over the sugar trade to the West Indies

Whiskey Rebellion 1794 Pennsylvania farmer’s rebellion over excise tax on spirits cut demand on corn whiskey distilled by farmers Physically assaulted tax collectors Washington nationalized 12,000 militiamen to disperse the rebels

Jay’s Treaty 1795 Chief Justice John Jay was sent to negotiate an end to British seizure of U.S. merchant ships U.S. had to accept British right to stop neutral ships government had to pay pre-Revolutionary War debts owed by citizens British allow Americans to submit claims for illegal seizures remove troops and Indian agents from Northwest Territory

Rise of Political Parties Colonial legislatures had factions based on family, ethnicity, or region. Most Americans believed political parties were dangerous Federalists strong central government Pro-British foreign policy Republicans weak central governments pro-French foreign policy

XYZ Affair American ships were being seized by France. French foreign minister Talleyrand demanded a bribe to negotiate with U.S. The agents through whom he solicited were known as X,Y, and Z b/c their names were not known 1798-America cuts off trade and authorizes privateering

Federalist Limit Rights Republican-minded immigrants attacked Adams’ French policies Naturalization Act lengthened residency requirements for citizenship from 5 to 14 years Alien Act authorized deportation of foreigners Sedition Act prohibited publication of criticism of the president or members of Congress

States React Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1798) declared Alien and Sedition Acts “unauthoritative, void, and of no force.” These resolutions set forth a state’s rights interpretation of the Constitution. the states have the rights to judge legitimacy of federal laws

“Revolution of 1800” Thomas Jefferson John Adams Republican, pro-French foreign policy John Adams Federalist, pro-British foreign policy incumbent Jefferson wins, but electoral college also gives 73 votes to running mate Aaron Burr Adams convinces Federalist to stop blocking Jefferson Adams called Burr an “embryo Caesar” and the “most unfit man in the United States for the office of president.”