Constitutional Debate… How many branches… How many houses… Representation: Population or Equality… Next…????

Anonymous Survey (answer in your head) Do you have rules in your classes? Do those rules list every single thing you can and can’t do? Have you ever tried to do something that wasn’t written out explicitly in those rules? – ex. Have you ever chewed gum in a class even if you weren’t told whether you could or couldn’t? Why did you try this “something?” – To see what the boundaries are? To see what you can and can’t get away with?

Interpretation of rules When you recall your answers… Would you say you have a loose interpretation of the classroom rules… Or a strict interpretation of those classroom rules? *Loose – these rules are just a guideline and if it doesn’t specifically say you can or can’t do something then it may be ok to try *Strict – you do only the things that the rules specifically say you can do, all other things must be not allowed

Same applies to the U.S. Constitution

Interpretations of the US Constitution The US Constitution does not say every single thing the President, or Congress, or a Judge can and can’t do So…. Some presidents approach their job with a very strict interpretation of the Constitution While others approach their job with a very loose interpretation of the Constitution Either way is ok as long as you are consistent! (some Presidents/Congressmen/Judges say one thing and do another)

Lets look at how our Presidents approached their time in office… *Presidential Highlights*

Washington’s Farwell Address (1796) “I anticipate…the sweet enjoyment…of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart.” Political differences will weaken the nation/unity 1 3 2

Political Parties What are they? A group of people that have common interests who want to influence or control the decision-making in government through voting or by leading Why do they exist? PP emerge because people have different ideas/opinions about how the federal government should be developed and handle situations such as war, civil liberties, a budget, the deficit, etc.)

Political Parties Despite G. Washington’s advice, PP emerged throughout the United States. The following parties emerged over time: Federalists Free-Soil Democratic – Republican Democrats Republicans Whigs Over time some of these PP merged together and others disbanded Weak president, but a strong Congress (ex. W.H. Harrison) Believed in a strong federal government; promoted manufacturing; loose interpretation of the U.S. Constitution (ex. John Adams) Preserve the power of state government and promote agriculture; strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, southern supported (ex. T. Jefferson) Anti-slavery northerners united by the concept of stopping the spread of slavery out west (ex. M. Van Buren) Laborers that opposed emancipation; supporters of states’ rights (ex. A. Jackson) United against the spread of slavery in the west; abolitionists (ex. A. Lincoln)

Alexander Hamilton Economist/Lawyer First Secretary of Treasury Federalist 20 yr. charter U.S. Treasury (originally known as the First National Bank) Prints/ mints paper money and coins Collects taxes Manages national investments and debts

Protective tariff Supported by Alexander Hamilton Support the U.S. economy (promoting and protecting domestic manufacturing and business in the northeast) Higher tariffs (tax) to raise prices of foreign goods in the United States

XYZ Affair 1798 John Adams Sure, for $250,000 and a loan of $12 million Results: Standing And eventually… SUCCESS! Purpose: Improve relations with France that had been strained under Washington’s presidency U.S. diplomats to smooth over conflict and negotiate a treaty to protect U.S. shipping Heck, NO! Tensions flare

Alien and Sedition Acts 1798 Congress (Adams) During the same time as the XYZ Affair was happening Congress passed a series of laws to “Protect the United States” during the undeclared naval war with France (“Quasi-War”) 1. resident power to deport if 2. I can’t stand this government and J. Adams they are useless! Federalists + D/R -

Thomas Jefferson Democratic-Republican Party Believed in the limited power of federal government Strict interpretation of the Constitution (once he became President he practiced a loose interpretation of the Constitution) First Term: Enjoyed prosperity, lower taxes (removed the Whiskey Tax), reduced national debt (less spending on govt. officials and the military) By the end of Jefferson’s Presidency the government was bigger (How did this happen?)

Louisiana Purchase Once Spanish territory, a secret treaty passes ownership to France Territory includes New Orleans (mouth of Mississippi River – significant trade route) October 20, 1803 – approved by the Senate $15 million (worth $300 billion today) Thomas Jefferson (sends Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate purchase) MontanaColorado North DakotaKansas South DakotaOklahoma MinnesotaMissouri WyomingArkansas NebraskaLouisiana IowaTexas New Mexico

Marbury v Madison Supreme Court Case (1803) William Marbury (approved judge by J. Adams) James Madison (Jefferson’s secretary of state) 1 st Act of Congress to be struck down by the Supreme Court (Judiciary Act of 1789) judicial review: power of the Court to declare an act/law/order unconstitutional

Embargo Act Thomas Jefferson embargo – banning of trade 1807 – banned trade with foreign nations Passed to punish British and French; to protect American merchant ships from attack 1.2. Results: What region of the United States do you think was impacted most by suspended trade?

War of 1812 James Madison (Pres ) First official Congressional declaration of war United States vs. Great Britain (1815) Second War of Independence Canadian Border overland attack on the British – took years for the United States Army to defeat the British and Natives along this border (W. H. Harrison) Bigger and superior – blockaded American seaports (despite small US naval victories) British resurgence 1814 British – hoping to control the MR came across A. Jackson (2,000 GB casualties to 70 US casualties)

War of 1812 (results) Patriotism/Nationalism – sense of American pride increased American trade rekindled – helping northern manufacturing Treaty of Ghent (Belgium 1814) -Officially ended the War of Conquered lands returned Andrew Jackson noted as a war hero – national recognition and fame 4.

Monroe Doctrine James Monroe (John Q. Adams – Sec. of State) December 2, 1823 Protects American interests Attempt to restrain the influence of European nations in newly independent Latin American countries Policy warning European powers not to interfere with the N. and S. America Let the world know the United States was a rising power – don’t test us

American System Henry Clay (J.Q. Adams/Jackson) – 1820’s Promote national unity Ideas to make the United States economically independent from other nations (no need for foreign trade) Cumberland Road (MD to WV to OH) – first road built by the federal government Erie Canal – movement of goods and people faster across waterways

Political Parties Political differences existed in part based on where and how people lived John Adams Thomas Jefferson Loose Interpretation Strict Interpretation