The Confederation and the Constitution

1. The Confederation and the Constitution APUSH Chapter 9

2. The Pursuit of Equality • There were many who felt this new country should adopt new beliefs on the issue of equality • Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom • Created in 1786 by Thomas Jefferson and his co-reformers; stated that religion should not be imposed on anybody and that each person decided his/her own faith. • Quakers in Pennsylvania created the first anti-slavery society • Other northern states also moved to abolish slavery

3. The Pursuit of Equality Society of Cincinnati? Egalitarianism? “republican motherhood”?

4. State Constitutions p. 168 • The Declaration of Independence created a need for new state constitutions • States contained to maintain sovereignty • States were willing to fight together, but not be ruled together • Several states also moved their capitals westward to avoid capture by Britain • New York • North Carolina • South Carolina

5. Economic Uncertainty • War with Britain meant an end to goods from Britain • States had to create their own goods, or do without • Lack of goods caused unemployment and a rapid spread of poverty • Many states were more worried about economic policy than they were about political policy

6. Articles of Confederation • Written shortly after the Declaration of Independence • Was necessary to show France that the US had a government • Was not ratified by all 13 states until 1781 • Was inherently weak – why? • No provisions for raising taxes • No provisions for regulating foreign trade • No executive or judicial braches • No power to raise a national army • Each state thought of itself as a unique political unit

7. Land Ordinance of 1785 • Where do profits from land sales in old NW go towards? • Very confusing & overly detailed • Divides land into townships • Land set aside for public schools • Orderly settlement of old NW prevents fraud & uncertain land claims

8. Northwest Ordinance p. 174 • Only real piece of legislation passed under the Articles • The “old” northwest territory was to be sold and the money used to pay off the national debt • Set forth qualifications for statehood • Population of 60,000 • New states would have all the rights and privileges of the original 13 • Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin resulted from the ordinance

9. Weaknesses of the Articles • Colonies were free to make their own trade agreements with foreign countries – problem? • Fear was that one state might sign an agreement that hurt the others • Britain would not negotiate with any of the 13 states causing further worsening of poor economic conditions • Britain refused to send a minister to America’s “backwoods” capital

10. Weaknesses of the Articles • The British remained in their western forts and the Americans were helpless to stop them – why? • The Americans did not honor their treaty to repay the loyalists • The states refused to send money for repayment and there was nothing the Central government could do about it

11. Weaknesses of the Articles • The British retained control of Canada and made new treaties with the natives • Both angered and scared the Americans • Without a standing army and no ability to raise one, the Americans were helpless

12. Weaknesses of the Articles • Spain became openly hostile to the US • Allowed Florida to become a launching pad for renegades and criminals • Closed the Mississippi river to American commerce in 1784 • The Articles rendered the US incapable of defending itself

13. Shays’s Rebellion • 1786: Western Massachusetts • Back-country farmers were in a desperate financial situation • Losing farms to back taxes and delinquent mortgages that piled up during the Revolution • The farmers were led by Captain Daniel Shays, a former colonial officer • The rebellion was crushed, but created fear among the elite of more mob revolts • What does Shays’s rebellion expose about the Articles of Confederation?

14. Annapolis Convention 1786 • The state of Virginia called for a convention to be held in Annapolis, Maryland • Only 5 states attended • Alexander Hamilton called upon Congress to call for a convention to meet in Philadelphia to amend the Articles

15. Constitutional Convention • Delegates from every state but Rhode Island convene in Philadelphia on May 25th, 1787 • The goal was to fix the articles • An attempt was make to rekindle the revolutionary spirit • George Washingtonwas elected as the convention leader

16. Constitutional Convention • It became clear to many that the Articles could not be fixed • The only option was to create an entirely new government based on a constitution • The convention delegates acted with out permission from either Congress or the states

17. Constitutional Convention • Virginia Plan (James Madison)  • Representation in Congress would be based on state population • Favored the large states like Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts • New Jersey Plan (William Patterson) • Representation in Congress would be equal among all states, regardless of population

18. The Great Compromise(Connecticut Compromise) • Authored by Roger Sherman  • Would consist of a bicameral legislature • House of Representatives would be based on population • Senate would have two members from each state • Plan would also create an executive branch (president)

19. The Great Compromise(Connecticut Compromise) • Southern states felt slighted by the plan • Insisted that slaves count as part of their population – why? • New England states vigorously objected • Southern states threatened to leave if their demands were not met • 3/5th compromise was adopted • Slave trade was to end by 1807 • All states but Georgia forbid overseas slave trade

20. Further Work • It was decided the new government would consist of three branches • Executive • Legislative • Judicial • A system of checks and balances would keep any one branch from dominating the others

21. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists • Immediate differences on what type of government should be created became evident • Federalists - • Washington, Hamilton, Franklin • Social elites that lived along the eastern seaboard • Were typically richer and better educated than their opponents • Controlled the press • Anti-Federalists - • Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee • States rights followers • Generally poorer and less educated • Feared a strong central government would hinder individual rights – what did they demand?

22. Bill of Rights • Anti-Federalists refused to approveto the constitution without an assurance to protect individual rights • Bill of Rights was created • 1st ten amendments to the Constitution • 1-8 were guarantees or individual rights • Were a reaction to laws placed upon them by the British • 5 freedoms of 1st Amendment?

23. Ratification • Nine of the thirteen states immediately ratified the Constitution • Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire • Four other states were undecided • New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Virginia

24. Launching the New Ship of State APUSH Chapter 10

25. Growing Pains • In 1789, the new U.S. Constitution was launched, and the population was doubling every 20 years. • America’s population was still 90% rural, with 5% living west of the Appalachians. • Vermont became the 14th state in 1791, and Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio (states where trans-Appalachian overflow was concentrated) became states soon after. • Visitors looked down upon the crude, rough pioneers, and these western people were restive and dubiously loyal at best.

26. Growing Pains America was also heavily in debt, and paper money was worthless Restless monarchs watched to see if the U.S. could succeed in setting up a republic while facing such overwhelming odds

27. Washington for President At 6’4”, 175 pounds, with broad and sloping shoulders, a strongly pointed chin and pockmarks from smallpox, George Washington was an imposing figure, which helped in his getting unanimously elected as president by the Electoral College in 1789.

28. Washington as President His long journey from Mt. Vernon to New York (capital at the time) was a triumphant procession filled with cheering crowds and roaring festivities, and he took his oath of office on April 30, 1789, on a balcony overlooking Wall Street.

29. Washington as President • Washington established a diverse cabinet (which was not necessary Constitutional). • Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson • Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton • Secretary of War: Henry Knox

30. The Bill of Rights Many states had ratified the Constitution on the condition that there would be a Bill of Rights Anti-Federalists had criticized the Constitution for its lack of a Bill. The necessary number of states adopted the Bill of Rights in 1791.

31. Bill of Rights Amendment I: Freedom of religion, speech or press, assembly, and petition. Amendment II: Right to bear arms (for militia). Amendment III: Soldiers can’t be housed in civilian homes during peacetime. Amendment IV: No unreasonable searches; all searches require warrants. Amendment V: Right to refuse to speak during a civil trial; No Double Jeopardy.

32. Bill of Rights Amendment VI: Right to a speedy and public trial. Amendment VII: Right to trial by jury when the sum exceeds $20. Amendment VIII: No excessive bails and/or fines. Amendment IX: Other rights not enumerated are also in effect. (“People’s Rights” Amendment) Amendment X: Unlisted powers belong to the state. (“States’ Rights” Amendment)

33. Other Acts • Judiciary Act 1789 • Created an effective system of Federal courts • Was opposed by many states rights leaders • John Jay became the first chief justice of the Supreme Court

34. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • Creation of a National Debt • The country was in debt to the tune of 54 million • Hamilton suggested that the government borrow the money to pay the debt • Would leave the country in debt • Was seen by many as an attempt to make the US a permanent debtor nation

35. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • Assumption of State’s debts • Some states were left with huge debts from the Revolution • Massachusetts's was in dire straits, while others like Virginia had very little • Plan would make states responsible for each others debt • Virginia strongly objected, as did the smaller states • Virginia agrees after getting the capital moved to their state

36. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • The US deficit quickly ballooned to over 75 million • Hamilton was unconcerned by the debt • People were more likely to be interested in the growth and development of the country if the country owed them money • To help lessen the debt, Hamilton proposed • Import tariff of 8% • Excise tax on whiskey of 7 cents per gallon

37. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • National bank • Hamilton proposed a national treasury • To be a private institution modeled after the Bank of England • To have the federal government as a major stockholder • To circulate cash to stimulate businesses • To store excess money, and to print money that was worth something • This was opposed by Jefferson as being unconstitutional (as well as a tool for the rich to better themselves).

38. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • Hamilton’s Views • What was not forbidden in the Constitution was permitted. • A bank was “necessary and proper” (from Constitution). • He evolved the Elastic Clause, AKA the “necessary and proper” clause, which would greatly expand federal power. This is a “loose interpretation” of the Constitution.

39. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • Jefferson’s Views • What was not permitted was forbidden. • A bank should be a state-controlled item (since the 10th Amendment says powers not delegated in the Constitution are left to the states). • The Constitution should be interpreted literally and through a “strict interpretation.”

40. Hamilton’s Financial Plan • Hamilton won the dispute, and Washington reluctantly signed the bank measure into law. • The Bank of the United States was created by Congress in 1791, and was chartered for 20 years. • It was located in Philadelphia and was to have a capital of $10 million. • Stock was thrown open to public sale, and surprisingly, a milling crowd oversubscribed in two hours.

41. The Whiskey Rebellion • In 1794, in western Pennsylvania, the Whiskey Rebellion flared up when fed-up farmers revolted against Hamilton’s excise tax. • They said they’d been unfairly singled out to be taxed. • They cried “taxation without representation” since many were from Tennessee and Kentucky which were not yet states and had no one in Congress.

42. The Whiskey Rebellion Washington cautiously sent an army of about 13,000 troops from various states to the revolt, but the soldiers found nothing upon arrival; the rebels had scattered. Washington’s new presidency now commanded new respect, but anti-federalists criticized the government’s use of a sledgehammer to crush a gnat. The lesson of the Whiskey Rebellion‡ this government, unlike the Articles, was strong!

43. Development of Political Parties • Hamilton’s financial policies were seen by many as an encroachment on state’s rights • As resentment grew, Jefferson moved to take a personal dislike of Hamilton public • Two parties were created around these men • Federalists: Hamilton • Democratic-Republicans: Jefferson

44. Development of Political Parties • The “founding fathers” did not wish to have political parties • Whigs and Tories were present, but just as groups not organized parties • Washington in particular did not want the rancor that would come with the division caused by parties

45. Impact of the French Revolution • The French Revolution greatly affected America • Americans were thrilled when the French using the US as a model, overthrew a despot and sought to establish a republic • When the revolution turned bloody with the “Reign of Terror”, US sentiment turned against the French • When France declared war on Britain, it appeared the US would be forced to enter the fray

46. Washington and Neutrality • The Democratic-Republicans called for the entry of the US on the side of the French • They had been the primary reason the Americans won the revolution • The Federalists called for entering the war on the side of the British • Hamilton felt it would aid us to help our number one trading partner

47. Washington and Neutrality • Washington felt the US would come apart if they entered the war on either side • Economy was too weak • US had a small and ineffective military • Washington proclaimed the official American stance would be neutrality • Both France and Britain were upset by this stance, Jefferson was particularly upset at what he thought was a cowardly move

48. Citizen Edmond Genêt • Came to the US to rally support for the French cause • Was greeted by wild cheering crowds in many US cities • Called for the US to help the French • Sought to enlist Americans citizens to fight for the French • Washington ordered him to quit and asked him to leave the country

49. Problems with Britain • The British were still in their western forts • They were secretly supplying the natives with weapons • Encouraging the natives to launch raids against American settlers • The British were ignoring US neutrality • British navy had seized over 300 American merchant ships • Had forced thousands of US sailors into the Royal Navy (impressment) • Democratic-Republicans called for was against Britain

50. Jay’s Treaty • Washington fearing war with the British, sends John Jay to negotiate with the British • Jay negotiated what many felt was overly favorable for Britain • Britain would repay the lost money from recent merchant ship seizures called “impressment”, but it said nothing about future seizures or supplying Indians with arms. • America would have to pay off its pre-Revolutionary War debts to Britain. • Democratic-Republicans from the South were furious, as the southern farmers would have to pay while the northern merchants would be paid. Jay’s effigy was burnt in the streets. However, war was avoided.