1. Constitution and New Republic, 1776-1800

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Washington takes the oath of office

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

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

17. 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)

18. Pinckney’s Treaty

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

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

21. 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)

22. 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