1. American History: Chapter 6
The Constitution and the New Republic

2. Framing A New Government
Many Americans championed a new, strong, central government
Newburgh Conspiracy
Military members were upset about not receiving pensions
Washington helped prevent the rebellion
Major weakness of Articles?
Lack of ability to tax

3. Framing A New Government
Annapolis Convention (1786):
5 states show up to discuss commerce
Alexander Hamilton gains a promise to meet the following year in Philadelphia
ways to “render the constitution of the Federal government adequate to the exigencies of the union.”
Shays’ Rebellion helped people demand a strong central government
“a little rebellion, now and then is a good thiing…”-T. J.

4. Framing A New Government Cont.
Constitutional Convention:
55 delegates from 12 states (save RI)
Key Players:
George Washington (VA) – president of the Convention
Edmund Randolph (VA) – proposed 3 branches
James Madison (VA)- intellect (“National” gov’t)
Ben Franklin (PA)- wise octogenarian

5. Framing A New Government Cont.
Issue of Representation:
VA Plan (James Madison):
Bicameral (2-house) legislature based on representation
NJ Plan (William Paterson)
Unicameral (1-house) legislature with each state having equal representation
Great (Connecticut) Compromise (Roger Sherman):
Bicameral legislature: lower house (House of Reps) would be based on population; upper house (Senate) would have 2 representatives per state
Side note: Senators were to be elected by state legislatures, NOT by popular vote

6. Framing A New Government Cont.

7. Framing A New Government Cont.
Other Compromises
3/5 Compromise
Slaves would count towards 3/5 of a person when determining population in the House (representation and tax purposes)
easy there South Carolina
Slave-Trade Compromise:
Slave importation could not be stopped prior to 1808
Commerce Compromise:
Congress could tax imports (tariffs), but not exports

8. Framing A New Government Cont.
Sovereignty:
Where does it lie? Who has ultimate power?
The people – James Madison
“checks and balances” offset a large republic
“We the people…”- Morris
Supremacy Clause:
Constitution would be the supreme law of the land
neither a national, nor a federal Constitution
no state would have the authority to defy it
Necessary and Proper (Elastic)
Congress could make laws that are “necessary and proper”

9. Framing A New Government Cont.

10. Framing A New Government Cont.
Federalists:
Those that favored a strong central government and the Constitution
Names of note: Madison, Jay, Hamilton, J. Adams. Washington (not active, yet sided w/ Feds)
Wealthier class
Const. will protect the people
no need for a Bill of Rights
AntiFederalists:
Those that favored a weak(er) central government and were weary of the Constitution (more power at the state level)
Names of note: Patrick Henry, Jefferson, George Mason
opposed a national bank
President will act like a King
NEED a Bill of Rights

11. Framing A New Government Cont.
The Federalist Papers:
Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
Purpose: to gain support for the ratification of the Constitution
NY pivotal
The Bill of Rights (1791):
Added after the Constitution was ratified
Federalists promised to add them to gain support of the Antifederalists
Washington was unanimously elected president and was inaugurated on April 30, 1789

12. Framing A New Government Cont.
George Washington...The First President
Washington did not seek the office
Unanimously elected in 1789
John Adams Becomes the VP
Washington was the most admired man in18th century America
Presidential actions served as precedents for those to follow

13. Framing A New Government Cont.
w/ Executive Branch settled:
Judiciary Act of 1789:
Created the Supreme Court with 1 chief justice and 5 associate justices
Six members
John Jay-1st Chief Justice (nominated by GW and elected by Senate)
13 federal courts
Supreme Court to review state court decisions...this to be highest court

14. Framing A New Government Cont.
Creation of Executive Departments:
State, Treasury, and War
The Cabinet:
Part of “Unwritten” Constitution
Heads are appointed by the President, approved by the Senate
State – Jefferson
Treasury – Hamilton
War - Knox
Throughout Washington’s 1st term, Jefferson and Hamilton battled over government role and philosophy

15. Federalists and Republicans
Federalists (Political Party):
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Born in West Indies, moved to NY in 1772
Served on Washington's staff during Revolutionary War
Favored a strong central government
Supported by wealthy and merchants
Names of note: Hamilton, J. Adams. Washington (not active, yet sided w/ Feds)
Location: Northeast
Notable notes: Strong central government, big business, "loose interpretation" of constitution, favored Britain in foreign policy

16. Federalists and Republicans
Hamilton’s Financial Plan:
Federal government would assume state debts (unfair to small states w/ little debt)
Federal government would pay off debt at full face value (funding at par)

17. Federalists and Republicans
Hamilton’s Financial Plan:
Creation of the Bank of the US (BUS)
Hamilton loosely interpreted Constitution, referred to the Elastic Clause (‘all laws necessary and proper”)
Washington is in Hamilton's corner...signed a Bank Bill (20 year charter)
Creation of the Bank of the United States
his rationale: no cost to taxpayers
provide a safe place to deposit the government's money
help regulate state banks
Congress passes legislation...but was it constitutional?

18. Federalists and Republicans
Hamilton’s Financial Plan cont.:
Excise Tax – 1791 tax on manufactured goods (distilled spirits, first internal rev. tax
led to Whiskey Rebellion 1794
Tariff – tax on imported goods

19. Federalists and Republicans
Jefferson and his supporters (Republicans) agreed to the assumption of states’ debts when the capital was moved to the South

20. Federalists and Republicans Cont.
Republican Party (Democrat-Republicans or Jeffersonians):
Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Believed farmers were the backbone of the economy
Pro-French
Location: South
Notable notes: States rights, small farmers, "strict interpretation" of constitution, favored France in foreign policy

21. Federalists and Republicans Cont.
French Revolution
Republicans supported the revolution, Federalists were horrified by the horror of the revolution

22. Establishing National Sovereignty
Whiskey Rebellion (1794):
In response to the excise tax on Whiskey
Farmers in western PA protest and threaten tax collectors
Washington responds with a show of force...nobody intimidates us
Rebellion was quickly stopped
Demonstrated the power of the new government

23. Establishing National Sovereignty
Native Americans:
Were not granted citizenship
Not considered “foreign Nations” as European countries
but they were w/in the United States
No direct representation in government

24. Establishing National Sovereignty Cont.
US Neutrality:
French Revolution 1789
at first many vocal supporters
becomes violent...war breaks out in Europe
U.S. pressured to choose sides
Washington urged neutrality in war between France and Britain (ignoring a treaty with France signed during American Revolution)
“Citizen Genet”
French diplomat that urged the Americans to go to war against Britain
Washington accepts his diplomatic credentials ?but...

25. Establishing National Sovereignty Cont.
Jay’s Treaty:
Background
Great Britain
U.S. continues tenuous relationship with Britain
Britain maintains a presence in NW territory
fur trade, relationship with Indians
Seize American ships and impressed American sailors into British service
angered Jeffersonians
Treaty with Britain
British concede to: w/draw from posts in the west, make reparations for lost cargoes, America can have limited trade in West Indies
British did not concede to: future actions against ships/sailors
unpopular among Jeffersonian’s especially
did avoid war at the time ($$$)

26. Establishing National Sovereignty Cont.
Pinckney’s Treaty:
Background
Spain
Areas of U.S. concerns:
Access to Port of New Orleans
Southeast boundary dispute
Pinckney's Treaty 1796 (Treaty of San Lorenzo)
free and unrestricted access to New Orleans port
31st parallel boundary between U.S. and Florida

27. The Downfall of the Federalists
Election of 1796:
Washington’s Farewell Address...Denounced:
Political parties
Alliances with other countries
two-term presidency
Adams becomes President, Jefferson his VP
different parties
Team Adams (Fed) Team Jefferson (Dem-Rep)

28. The Downfall of the Federalists
XYZ Affair:
France still angered over Jay's Treaty with England
France seized American ships (America is suppose to be neutral)
Adams dispatches 3 US diplomats to France (avoid war with France)
1797 French Foreign Minister Talleyrand initially refused to meet with U.S. Diplomats
Delegation subsequently approached by 3 French diplomats, “XYZ” demanded a bribe
if U.S. would pay $250,000 to France...a meeting would take place
U.S. refused "bribe" resulting in anti-French sentiment and increased patriotism
War hysteria ensues (“millions for defense, not one cent for tribute”)

29. The Downfall of the Federalists
Quasi War:
"Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute."
Undeclared naval war between US and France
Fighting in Caribbean, no declaration of war
Democratic Republicans still sympathized with France
Federalists controlled Congress-legislation passed to suppress opposition to a war with France
Ends with Napoleon’s reign

30. The Downfall of the Federalists Cont.
Alien and Sedition Acts (1798):
Purpose: to punish opposition to Federalist Party and the Adams’ administration (targeted those who might vote Dem.-Rep.)
Alien Act:
Increased residency requirement for foreigners to become citizens
5 to 14 years
President could deport foreigners (if considered a threat to the nation)
Sedition Act:
Made it illegal to criticize the government
10 Republican newspaper editors were convicted under the law

31. The Downfall of the Federalists Cont.
Alien and Sedition Acts (1798):
Alien and Sedition Acts were extremely controversial
Limited Free Speech
illegal to defame/criticize the President or Government
aimed at those criticizing war advocates
violation of First Amendment?
Federalists viewpoint-war could breakout at home anytime
Jeffersonians viewpoint-fear coming true...if central government was too big, individual liberties would be compromised

32. The Downfall of the Federalists Cont.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions 1798:
States could judge the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress
If National Government get ahead of itself, the states could nullify the laws
Written by Jefferson (KY) and Madison (VA):
anonymous at the time b/c of Sedition Act
Urged states to nullify the Alien and Sedition Acts
Jefferson is the VP
More symbolic at the time

33. The Downfall of the Federalists Cont.
The “Revolution” of 1800
Adams v. Jefferson in election of 1800
Jefferson and Burr tie for presidency, Jefferson eventually wins, Burr becomes VP (Hamilton doesn’t like Jefferson, but doesn’t like Burr even more)
Why is it called a revolution?
Peaceful transition of power between political parties

34. The Downfall of the Federalists Cont.
Judiciary Act of 1801:
Passed by Federalist Congress while Adams was still president
Created many new federal judgeships
Adams appointed many in his last days of office
lame duck
“Midnight Judges”
A showdown is coming……….

35. Past Essay Topics
Analyze the reasons for the Anti-Federalists’ opposition to ratifying the Constitution (2008 Free Response)
To what extent was the United States Constitution a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation? (2005 Form B Free Response)