1. The Constitution and New Republic 1776 - 1800
Chapter 6

2. Philadelphia Convention
Unpopular Government
1783 members of Confederation Congress withdrew from Philadelphia to escape army vets
difficult to secure a quorum to sign a treaty ending the war
1780s wealthy and powerful groups demand a national government capable of dealing with problems that effected them

3. Issues
different taxes in different states, desire for one national duty
wealthy individuals wanted an end to paper money
large property owners looked for protection from mobs
“Indian Menace”

4. Constitutional Convention
General Info
Lasted from May to Sept. 1787
fifty-five men
all states except Rhode Island
average age was 44 (young!)
represented property interests
feared “turbulence and follies” of democracy
products of Revolution

5. Alexander Hamilton (NY)
Aide to General Washington
Unhappy with A of C
Called for National Convention (w. James Madison)

6. George Washington (VA)
important figure
initially did not want to join the cause
Shays Rebellion freaked him out!
Support gave the meeting credibility
Unanimously chosen to preside over convention

7. James Madison (VA) 36 years old idea of a national government
two houses: “upper” and “lower” (a.k.a. Virginia Plan)
credited (by Brinkley) as being most important cast member
created plans to resolve issue of sovereignty and limit power

8. Edmund Randolph (VA) Older delegate who Madison spoke through
credited with proposing three branches of Government
idea originated from Baron de Montesquieu (France)

9. Ben Franklin Oldest delegate: 81 “heated” arguments
Served to sooth the delegates (pg. 197 quote)

10. Thomas Jefferson (VA) In France at time of convention
Wrote continual letters to almost every member
Viewed Shay’s Rebellion differently than most, including Washington.
“a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical” Brinkley, pg. 196

11. Politics of Convention
Each member has a single vote
Simple majority, doesn’t need to be unanimous

12. Issues Representation (Small v. Large States) “heated” disagreements
Grand committee
Single representative
“Great Compromise”
Two houses
“lower” based on population (House of Reps)
“upper” equal representation (Senate)

13. Issues Cont’d South (v. North) and Slavery (representation)
No tax on exports (cotton, tobacco)
No tax on slaves more than $10
No authority to stop slave trade for 20 years
Concentrated Authority (Federal v. States Rights)
Separation of powers
3 branches: executive, judicial, legislative

14. Issues Cont’d Sovereignty Unresolved State and federal Power
US Constitution would be “supreme law”
Federal government would have the power to:
Tax
Big difference from Articles of Confederation
Unresolved
No definition of citizenship
Absence of individual rights

15. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Ratification
Convention changed the rules
Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution
Organized
Eminent leaders
Federalist Papers
Feared chaos

16. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Cont’d
People against Ratification
Believed Constitution corrupted principles of Revolution
No government could be trusted
Ratification (continued)
States

17. Washington’s Presidency
The First President
Received the votes of all presidential electors
Bill of Rights
Even people originally against a Bill of Rights (Madison) believed it was important to legitimize gov’t
Congress approved First TWELVE Amendments
Ten of them were ratified by the states by the end of 1791

18. Washington’s Presidency Cont’d
Bill of Rights Cont’d
9 placed limits on Congress by forbidding it to take away human rights
One (#10) reserve to the states all powers except those specifically withheld from them or delegated to the federal government

19. Washington’s Presidency Cont’d
Washington’s Cabinet
Henry Knox= Secretary of War
Alexander Hamilton = Secretary of Treasury
Edmund Randolph= Attorney General
Thomas Jefferson= Secretary of State

20. Hamilton’s Financial Program
Elitist Prospective
Support the wealthy and powerful
“Funding the Debt”
Wanted to create a large national debt
National Bank
Provide loans and currency to business
Safe place for federal funds

21. Hamilton’s Financial Program Cont’d
Revenue
Lands in the west
Excise taxes
Liquors
Imports
Dissent
Bonds
Assumption Bill
Bank Bill

22. Hamilton’s Financial Program Cont’d
Results
Won support of influential segments of the population
Large profits
Manufactures benefitted from taxes on imports
Small farmers and average people saw Federalist program as only benefitting a small group of wealthy elites

23. Institutionalized Factionalism (AKA Early Political Parties)
Federalists
Base Philosophies
Strong central, national government
Complex economy
World power
Enlightened ruling class
Horrified by French Revolution
Alexander Hamilton

24. Institutionalized Factionalism (AKA Early Political Parties)
Republicans
Not connected to the modern Republican Party which was founded in 1850
Base Philosophies
Organized to counter growing tyrannical structure
Modest central gov’t
Rural agrarian
Most power to states and people
Supported French Revolution
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
TJ identified himself as a farmer
Fearful of advance industrial economy

25. Foreign and Domestic Difficulties
Fallout
Whiskey tax
Hamilton urges Washington to raise a united militia from 3 states
15,000 troops led by Washington himself
Message: no more rebellions
Native Americans
Land
Many in NW and SW still in Alliance w/ British and Spanish
Ordinances of lead to border conflicts
Constitution left the question unanswered over who was in control of the West

26. Foreign and Domestic Difficulties Cont’d
Native Americans Cont’d
Rights
“not taxed”
Regulate commerce
not “foreign Nations”
No representation
Maintaining Neutrality
French at War
1789 new French gov’t went to war with GB and it’s allies
US hopes to preserve Neutrality

27. John Adam’s Presidency
Strange Election
Adams nominated as head of Federalists
Deterioration of French Relations
Jay’s and Pinckney’s treaties
Maintained neutrality
Established NW sovereignty
XYZ Affair
Led to an undeclared war against France
Navy won a series of duels with French vessels
Became an ally with Britain in war against France

28. John Adam’s Presidency Cont’d
Deterioration of French Relations Cont’d
The Alien and Sedition Acts (among the most controversial legislation in American History)
Alien Act
Placed obstacles in the way of foreigners who wished to become American citizens
Discouraged immigration and many people left country

29. John Adam’s Presidency Cont’d
Sedition Act
Prosecute anyone engaged in “sedition” against gov’t
10 Republican newspaper editors arrested
Republican counter-action
Supreme Court did not have authority to overrule and act of Congress at the time
Jefferson and Madison turn to the states
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions argue that national gov’t cannot exercise “unauthoritative powers”
Results
Virginia and Kentucky only states to declare statues void
Dispute between Republicans and Federalists rise to a national level
Nation divided politically

30. The “Revolution” of 1800 Political Welfare Feds accuse Jefferson of:
Being radical = “Reign of Terror”
Romance?
Republicans accuse Adams of:
Being a tyrant trying to be a king
Subverting liberty
Imposing slavery on the people

31. New law requires two person on ballot
Republicans plan to have Jefferson win and Burr second (VP)
But there’s a tie at 73 each (so it goes to the House, where Federalists dominate)
After a bunch of votes, Hamilton argues that Burr is untrustworthy!- and Jefferson wins!
This creates some resentment by Burr!
MIDNIGHT APPOINTMENTS!
Before Adams leaves office he tries to fill in a bunch of new commissions, signing up to midnight on his last day in office.

32. Revolution of 1800!? Was it a revolution?
YES = It was a change in the political party in control of the government (also bloodless)
NO – there was no change in political system (constitution), economy or society!