The Constitution & The New Nation :The Constitution & The New Nation 1787 - 1800


State Constitutions :State Constitutions Included provisions such as: annual elections impeachment: charges of misconduct patronage: power to appoint exec. & judicial officials bills of rights: limits on government established church: lacked religious uniformity general legislative and other powers: executives lost power in this structure


The Articles of Confederation :The Articles of Confederation Submitted to the states for ratification in November 1777 Limited powers of the central government Congressional authority: political equality Central principle: fear of oppressive government infringing on newly fought for freedoms Left many unsettled issues


Problems with the Economy :Problems with the Economy Fiscal Crisis Revolutionary War debts $2.5 million Robert Morris (Supt. Of Finance) and the Nationalists strengthen the Confederation at the expense of states (Bank of N. Am.) Wanted a national mint and decimal coinage—failed on both State Economic Policies lack of uniformity doomed states’ efforts Economic Depression British trade policies closed its markets to American goods during the war while continuing to export to the new nation


The West :The West Treaty of Paris: gave lands E. of the Mississippi to America Establishment of jurisdiction in the West: US took control in 1784 Land Ordinance of 1785: Law passed by Congress that allowed for sales of land in the Northwest Territory and set up standards for land sale that became precedents. Among them was the idea of selling mile-square sections of land.


Land Ordinance of 1785 :Land Ordinance of 1785


The West :The West Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Created the Northwest Territory, enabling the United States to expand into the Great Lakes area. States created from the Northwest Territory included Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.


Northwest Ordinance of 1787 :Northwest Ordinance of 1787


The West :The West Southwest Ordinance of 1790 Created southwest of the Ohio River, “one district, the inhabitants of which should enjoy all the privileges, benefits, and advantages set forth in the ordinance of the late Congress, made in July, 1787, for the government of the territory of the United States, Northwest of the river.”


A New Nation Emerges :A New Nation Emerges Royal Authority Collapses Continental Congress is helpless New state governments under Republican model begin to become more independent Shay’s Rebellion, 1786 - 1787 Frustrations with legislative policies Scared those in power Catalyst for the Constitutional Convention


Movement Toward Change :Movement Toward Change Mt. Vernon Conference, 1785 (Maryland & Virginia) Annapolis Convention, September 1786: Failed in its purpose (trade regulation) BUT called for the Constitutional Convention Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia) 12 states participated (RI did not attend) The Issues: representation slavery trade powers of the president


Philadelphia Convention :Philadelphia Convention Representation The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan The Great Compromise Slavery 3/5 Compromise Trade Commercial Compromise Powers of the President Ratification


Articles v. Constitution :Articles v. Constitution Articles of Confederation no power to tax or raise armies source of power - individual states equal representation in a unicameral congress amendments must be unanimously agreed upon no provisions for executive or judicial branches Constitution powers to tax and create armed forces shared power between states and federal government bicameral Congress with proportional rep. In the House and equal in the Senate Amendments require 2/3 of Congress & 3/4 consent of states Office of President and Supreme Court


Federalists v. Anti-federalists :Federalists v. Anti-federalists The Federalists favored the Constitution Articles had to be abandoned curb the power of states to the central government no need for bill of rights large republic could safeguard personal freedoms supporters included commercial farmers, merchants, shippers and those who held nat’l debt The Anti-federalists opposed the constitution wanted to amend the Articles power of states is paramount threats to individual liberties - must have a bill of rights only small republics can protect rights supporters included state-centered politicians and backcountry farmers


The Structure of the New Government :The Structure of the New Government Legislative Branch (Congress) House of Representatives (now 435) Senate (now 100) Judicial Branch U.S. Supreme Court (9) Executive Branch The President, VP, cabinet, bureaucracy


The Bill of Rights :The Bill of Rights Debate between Federalists and Anti-federalists Federalists: more direct representation does not require citizens to be protected against themselves Anti-federalists: to protect against tyranny Madison drafts a list Ratified by Congress 1791


Washington’s Presidency :Washington’s Presidency Oath of Office April 30, 1789 Established some protocol for interaction with President Organize Executive Branch Appoints first heads of departments (Cabinet) Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of War Attorney General


The Federal Court System :The Federal Court System Constitutional Perimeters Congressional powers Judiciary Act 1789 Supreme Court District and circuit courts


Alexander Hamilton :Alexander Hamilton Relationship with George Washington Funding the government debts Bank of the United States strict vs. loose construction? Whiskey Excise/Whiskey Rebellion Protective Tariff French Revolution


Emergence of Foreign Policy :Emergence of Foreign Policy Citizen Genet protest of American Neutrality, 1793 The Jay Treaty, 1794 underlying issue: British search and seizure, impressment, of U.S. merchant ships, sailors Pinckney Treaty, 1795 U.S. ambassador to Spain Opened U.S. trade on lower Mississippi


The Rise in Political Parties :The Rise in Political Parties Colonial factions In 1792, still in formative stages Federalists and Anti-federalists Democratic-Republicans intentionally named after the shrewd goals of the Revolution opposed attempts to re-create a British, privileged system Though Washington ran unopposed in 1792, by 1796 rival parties took on the deepening issues


Washington Leaves Office :Washington Leaves Office Farewell Address do not get involved in European affairs against the U.S. making “permanent alliances” in foreign affairs warned against forming political parties Washington was behind the times avoid sectionalism Began the two-term tradition (held until FDR)


John Adams :John Adams Won by 3 electoral votes over Thomas Jefferson use of party caucus to select party leaders XYZ Affair Alien and Sedition Acts Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions Legacy: impact on Federalists in election of 1800


The Election of 1800 :The Election of 1800 Federalist loss of power Democratic-Republican candidates Thomas Jefferson Aaron Burr The Tie Breaker Revolution of 1800