1. 1787-1796

2.  Convention was called in Philadelphia in May of 1787 ◦ 12 of 13 states sent delegates (all but Rhode Island)  Compromises were made: ◦ Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan  Roger Sherman steps in with the Great Compromise ◦ 3/5 ths Compromise ◦ Compromise on the Slave Trade

3. Federalists  Articles failed because states had too much power  Strong federal government was necessary  Included James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay Anti-Federalists  Supported state’s rights  Felt the President had too much power under the constitution  Included James Winthrop and Patrick Henry

4.  Nine States needed to ratify before Constitution went into effect ◦ Delaware was the first on December 7 1787 ◦ New Hampshire was the ninth ◦ Rhode Island did not ratify until 1790  They were the last to do so  Many states agreed to ratify only if a Bill of Rights was added  Included as the first 10 amendments to the Constitution  Adopted in 1791

5.  The First Cabinet ◦ Congress had created 5 executive departments ◦ The head of each were Washington’s cabinet members  Secretaries of State, War, and Treasury  Attorney General and Postmaster General  Judiciary Act passes in 1789 ◦ Sets up the Supreme Court ◦ John Jay is the first Chief Justice  Kentucky petitions for statehood in 1792 ◦ First new state in the Union

6.  The Bank of the United States ◦ Created in 1791 ◦ Part of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton’s plan to strengthen the economy ◦ Most controversial action of Washington’s first term  Not a power that the Constitution gives  Benefits only manufacturers  Whiskey Rebellion ◦ Congress passes a tax on liquor ◦ Western Pennsylvania was one of the main producers of whiskey  It was easier to transport than grain  Farmers refused to pay the tax  Resistance turned violent in Pittsburgh  Washington dispatched the militia and put the rebellion down easily

7. Federalists  Led by Alexander Hamilton  Government should encourage manufacturing ◦ To build the nation’s strength and wealth  Supported protective tariffs  Strong federal government  Loose Constructionism ◦ Congress has power to make all laws ‘necessary and proper’ to carry out its duties  Called the elastic clause Republicans  Led by Thomas Jefferson  Government should encourage farming ◦ Self-sufficient farmers are the backbone of democracy  Opposed tariffs ◦ Benefited only small portion of US  Strong state governments  Strict Constructionism ◦ Any power not specifically given to the federal government is reserved for the states

8.  Washington chooses not to run for a third term.  Republican Candidates: ◦ Thomas Jefferson  Aaron Burr  Federalist Candidates ◦ John Adams  Aaron Pickney  John Adams wins the Presidency ◦ Thomas Jefferson becomes Vice President  Tennessee becomes a state in 1796