Constitution and New Republic, 1776-1800

Philadelphia Convention ‘87 Washington agrees to preside only after Shays’ Rebellion Complete overhaul of fed. gov’t on the agenda Weaknesses of Art. of Con. obvious Fear of centralized gov’t still strong

Madison and the VA Plan Madison, Randolph and other Virginians dominate early proceedings Executive, legislative, and judicial branches called for by Randolph Bicameral Congress Lower house by pop Lower chooses upper

Small States Respond (NJ Plan) Patterson calls for unicameral Congress Equal rep. for all states Increased taxing/interstate power Virginia plan supporters knew they had to compromise with the small states to ensure ratification

The Great Compromise Bicameral Congress created House of Rep. (Lower) elected based on pop. 3/5 compromise Senate (Upper) equal rep. for all states Appointed by state leg.

Dodging the Issue Southern delegates worry about the legality of slavery and the fed. gov’t interfering with it Slave trade allowed to continue until 1808 No heavy taxing on imported slaves

Federalists Hamilton, Madison, and Jay (=Publius) publish The Federalist Papers Thought a stronger, more centralized gov’t was needed Abandoned the ideas of the Art. of Confederation Feared chaos and the power of the people

Anti-Federalists Jefferson led school of thought Feared concentrated power Trusted the will of the people Thought Constitution was too removed from the people Demanded a bill of rights

Bill of Rights Appeased the Anti-Federalists #1-9 stop Congress from impinging on rights #10 Powers not mentioned reserved to the state gov’ts

Washington takes the oath of office

Washington’s Presidency Received all electoral votes Adams (Fed.) becomes VP Remained “neutral” in politics (actually, supported Federalists) No contest

Forming the First Cabinet Hamilton Sec. of Treasury Knox Sec. of War Randolph Attorney General Jefferson Sec. of State Tried to balance regions and viewpoints Rift develops between Hamilton and Jefferson

Hamilton’s Financial Program Washington supported Tried to gain support of the elite Gov’t should assume public debt and state debt Taxes raised by whiskey tax Create a National Bank to stabilize financial structure

Opposition to Federalist Program VA protests assuming state debts Future capital is moved to DC as compromise Small farmers protest taxes National Bank “Loose” interpretation of Const. troubled Jefferson, Madison, and co. Passed over protests

Beginnings of Political Parties Const. does not mention parties Washington opposed them These early squabbles created allies and enemies Two camps emerge Federalist Republican (Anti-Federalist)

Securing the Frontier Northwest Ordinance was not enough Land claims sorted out Whiskey Rebellion in PA put down by fed. gov’t.

Foreign Difficulties Britain and France engaged in war American neutrality declared British impressment Jay’s Treaty w/ Britain (Federalist influenced) Pinckney’s Treaty w/ Spain (US can use the Mississippi)

Pinckney’s Treaty

John Adams’ Presidency Washington’s Farewell Address One-term Federalist, elected in 1796 over Jefferson (became VP) Fed. were splintering

The Quasi War with France XYZ Affair outrages Americans Undeclared naval warfare Eventually tensions cool

Alien and Sedition Acts Fed. attempt to quiet Rep. Opposition Alien Act Harder for foreigners (tended to be Rep.) to become citizens Sedition Act Punished anti-gov’t activities (writings and otherwise)

The “Revolution” of 1800 Rematch from 1796 Bitter campaigns Jefferson elected after 36 counts Rep. Control exec. and leg. Branches Fed. Control the judiciary Adams appoints “midnight” judges