Establishing a Government Constitution through Westward Expansion

Articles of Confederation After the Revolutionary War, the colonies/states needed to create a government. There were several issues surrounding the creation of a new government. Many people feared what might come out of this new government. Questions that arose: Who is going to have the most power? States or Central Government How will people/states be represented?

Articles Fail The Articles of Confederation created only a loose alliance among the states. The Articles did not grant enough power to the Federal Government preventing it from being able to enforce laws. This was evident during Shay’s Rebellion. The state of Massachusetts placed a large tax on farmers. Farmers were outraged at the tax and led by Daniel Shay started a rebellion. The federal government did not have the power to send troops to put down the rebellion.

Constitutional Convention On May 14, 1787, delegates from all states except Rhode Island met to discuss the creation of a new government. This would not be an easy task since many only wanted to revise the Articles of Confederation. The first obstacle would be over representation in congress. Large states wanted representation based on population. Small states wanted equal representation as that in the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise Governor Edmond Randolph proposed the Virginia Plan. This created a bicameral legislature with both houses based on population. The House of Representatives was created based on population for representation. A delegate from New Jersey suggested that the Senate be based on equal representation. Two Senators per state. The convention agreed on both parts, creating the Great Compromise.

Other Conflicts 3/5 Compromise Slave Trade Compromise Southern states were concerned about their representation in congress. They suggested that all slaves be counted in population. In return slaves would only count as 3/5 towards the total population. Slave Trade Compromise Many states agreed that the slave trade needed to be stopped. Southern states demanded that they be given time to prepare for this blow to their economies. The Southern states were allowed twenty years to finish the slave trade. It ended in 1808.

Limited Government and Separation of Powers

Development of Central Government The central government would be based on three major principles: limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Limited Government: the principle that even governments must obey a set of laws and respect the rights of citizens. Separation of Powers: this divided the authority of government into three separate branches. The executive, legislative, and judicial. Checks and Balances: this set up a system in which each branch could keep the other in check. (ex: the executive branch can veto legislation, the judicial branch can declare acts unconstitutional, the legislative branch can pass it with a 2/3 majority vote)

Bill of Rights Once everything had been planned out, several states and groups still refused to ratify the constitution. Many of the small states and Anti-Federalist refused to ratify until a Bill of Rights had been added. This would establish a set of rules that would prevent the basic rights of the people and states from being trampled on. With the addition of the first ten amendments the constitution was ratified and our new government was established.

Federalist Papers This was a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison urging others to ratify the constitution. This series of essays placed importance on ratifying the constitution.

Federalists v. Anti-federalists This was made up of the people that supported a strong central government and the constitution. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison were the key leaders. This was made up of the people that supported states rights and the addition of the Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson was the key leader for the Anti-federalists.

The First Presidents

George Washington He was the only president, and still is, to be unanimously elected to office. Washington was the only person that people could think of that could lead our country during this time. Washington chose several men whom he trusted to serve in key positions. Thomas Jefferson: Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of the Treasury Henry Knox: Secretary of War Washington forced these men to resolve their differences, and made them do what was best for the country.

Hamilton’s Economic Plan This proposed that the federal government take on state debts that were largely due to the Revolution. Hamilton proposed that we create taxes to make up for the debt that had been incurred. The major tax being on Whiskey. Hamilton also supported tariffs not only to raise money, but to help develop our industries and businesses. Hamilton used the necessary and proper clause to create a bank for the United States.

Reaction to Hamilton’s Plan People such as Thomas Jefferson were strict interpreters of the constitution. Jefferson did not feel the government had the power to enforce things such as the National Bank. Southerners opposed the plan because they feared the high tariffs would lessen competition from foreign countries and raise prices.

Challenge to the Constitution With the new tax placed on whiskey, many people were outraged. Several farmers got together and planned to protest the tax and resorted to violence. This time the federal government had the power to put down the rebellion, showing the constitution had strength.

Washington’s Farewell Speech Washington upon retirement suggested two things for the people. He told the government to stay out of foreign affairs. This would only bring trouble to our country. The second thing was factions. Factions would only divide the United States, and create problems within.

Rise of Political Parties Federalist Republicans (Jeffersonian) Supported a strong national government. Supported large landowners, merchants, and the interests of business over agriculture. They supported tariffs and other measures meant to help U.S. businesses. Supporters: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams Supported strong state governments. Originally opposed the constitution until a Bill of Rights was added. Supported small farmers and debtors, rather than business. Supporters: Thomas Jefferson

John Adams Adams was elected president after Washington chose to leave office. Adams would have to deal with foreign policy early on with the XYZ Affair. France was angered by a trading treaty signed between the U.S. and Britain.

XYZ Affair John Adams is going to send three diplomats to France to discuss the relationship between the two countries. France did not recognize the diplomats for several days, but when they finally did it was with an unofficial delegation. France said that with a bribe and a promise of a U.S. loan, they might grant access to French leaders. This infuriated the diplomats who returned home with the news. The event was known as the XYZ affair because each diplomat was given a letter to represent their name. (Charles Pinckney-X, Elbridge Gerry-Y, and John Marshall-Z).

Convention of 1800 With the convention France and the United States were able to negotiate some of their differences. The two sides agreed to re-open trade and re-establish diplomatic relations. The convention ended with a U.S.-French alliance. The U.S. had been successful at remaining neutral in the situation. The U.S. could now engage in trade without appearing to violate a treaty with France or aid a war against Great Britain.

Federalist and Republican Hostilities The federalist began to pass laws that alarmed the Republicans. The Naturalization Act required immigrants to live in the U.S. for 14 years before becoming citizens. The Alien and Sedition Acts allowed the federal government to arrest or detain immigrants deemed untrustworthy, and limited their 1st Amendment rights. The Republicans relied on this group for support because they supported the “common man”. Jefferson and Madison (former Federalist) passed their own resolutions (Virginia and Kentucky) that said if states saw laws as unconstitutional, then they did not have to follow them. This became known as the doctrine of nullification.

Election of 1800 This was a nasty election with a battle between the Federalist and the Republicans. Republicans accused Adams of wanting to be a king, while Federalist proclaimed Jefferson to be an anarchist. The vote came down to the House of Representatives between Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Alexander Hamilton (Federalist) would play a major role in the decision. Hamilton disliked both men, but he had a personal hatred for Burr. Jefferson was elected the 3rd President. Burr and Hamilton continued their feud with it culminating in a duel. Aaron Burr would shoot and kill Alexander Hamilton.

The Early United States

Territorial Growth

Northwest Ordinance As population grew in the West, congress needed a way to develop the territories into states. The Northwest Ordinance stated that after sufficient population growth and an establishment of government, territories could become states. Slavery was made illegal, but many territories placed restrictions on free blacks to prevent them from coming into the west.

Expansion and Education With the expansion westward, many states feared that the U.S. identity and values would begin to fade away. The Northwest Territory would use education to make sure American values and traditions would be carried out. One key figure in early education was Noah Webster. Webster compiled the first U.S. dictionary that included words and spelling distinct to the United States rather than the traditional British. Webster helped to establish a national language and helped unify educational standards.

The Louisiana Territory Thomas Jefferson wanted to secure trading along the Mississippi River. To do so he needed to gain land from France. Napoleon was on a conquest to conquer most of Europe. He needed money to finance this campaign and saw the territory in America as a way to obtain this. Jefferson was unsure about purchasing the territory because he didn’t know if it was constitutional. Jefferson was a strict constructionist. Jefferson purchased the territory in 1803. This was the largest expansion of territory yet, doubling the size of the U.S.

How to interpret the Constitution? Strict Constructionist Loose Constructionist These people felt the constitution was a legally binding document and should be interpreted as it was written. Unless it is specifically granted in the constitution, then the government did not have the power. Thomas Jefferson was a strict constructionalist, which is why the Louisiana Purchase raised question for him. These people felt the constitution was free to be interpreted in which ever way you deemed it to be. Many Federalist would stretch the limits to how the constitution could be interpreted.

Lewis and Clark Expedition Thomas Jefferson appointed his personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis, to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. William Clark would help Lewis along with the assistance of Sacagawea. In September 1806, Lewis and Clark returned with great information regarding the newly gained western lands. The pathway found would be called the Oregon Trail.

National Identity

War of 1812 Great Britain had been restricting U.S. trade, and was impressing U.S. soldiers (capturing them and making the join the British Navy). Finally on June 12, 1812 Congress declared war on Britain. Great Britain would take the early lead, and even burned down much of Washington D.C. The U.S. would persevere and win at Fort McHenry. The U.S. victories at Horseshoe Bend and New Orleans, led by Andrew Jackson, led the U.S. to signing a treaty with Britain. The Treaty of Ghent did not grant any official land gains in the United States, but it did keep the Mississippi River and frontier open.

Impact of the War of 1812 By winning the war of 1812, this helped create a stronger sense of national identity. People felt proud to be American since we had stood up to the British not once, but twice. Because of the war, U.S. ships had not been able to trade. This cause U.S. industry to grow much stronger. This created a new sense of national pride. Major Improvements: Northern Industry Southern Cotton Farms

Erie Canal and New York City New York had become the major economic center in the United States. With the implementation of the factory system by Samuel Slayter, mill towns began to boom. New York became the major trading hub for all of these materials. New York primarily gained this dominance with the creation of the Erie Canal because it connected the west with the eastern coast.

Inventions Samuel Slayter: Factory System Robert Fulton: Steam Engine Cotton Gin: Eli Whitney

Henry Clay’s American System In 1824 Secretary of State Henry Clay proposed what he called the American System. Clay supported several measures he thought were crucial to improving the nation’s infrastructure and economy. This developed roads, rail lines, services and utilities, canals, and so on. A protective tariff (tax on imports) would be put into effect to help U.S. manufacturing continue to grow. This also called for the creation of a second national bank.

Monroe Doctrine With the end of the War of 1812 the U.S. entered a period of prosperity called the Era of Good Feelings. President James Monroe would issue the Monroe Doctrine during this time. This stated that all European nations needed to stay out of the Americas. Any European nations caught trying to colonize areas in the Americas would be considered acting in aggression, and the U.S. would declare war. Monroe also said the U.S. would not interfere in the internal affairs of other American countries, nor in those of European powers.