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Explore the concept of rule interpretation through a comparison of household rules and the US Constitution. Understand how interpretations shape decision-making with a focus on past Presidents' approaches. Analyze the evolution of political parties and pivotal moments in US history, such as the XYZ Affair and the Alien and Sedition Acts. Delve into key figures like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to grasp the impact of loose and strict interpretations. Expand your knowledge of constitutional debates and historical nuances through this intriguing exploration.
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Constitutional Debate… How many branches… How many houses… Representation: Population or Equality… Next…????
Anonymous Survey(answer in your head) • Do you have rules at your house? • Do those rules list every single thing you can and can’t do? • Have you ever tried to do something that wasn’t written out explicitly in those rules? • ex. Have you ever eaten food in your room even though you weren’t told whether you could or couldn’t? • Why did you try this “something?” • To see what the boundaries are? To see what you can and can’t get away with?
Interpretation of rules • When you recall your answers… • Would you say you have a loose interpretation of the household rules… • Or a strict interpretation of those household rules? *Loose – these rules are just a guideline and if it doesn’t specifically say you can or can’t do something then it may be ok to try *Strict – you do only the things that the rules specifically say you can do, all other things must be not allowed
Interpretations of the US Constitution • The US Constitution does not say every single thing the President, or Congress, or a Judge can and can’t do • So…. • Some presidents approach their job with a very strict interpretation of the ConstitutionWhile others approach their job with a very loose interpretation of the Constitution • Either way is ok as long as you are consistent!(some Presidents/Congressmen/Judges say one thing and do another)
Lets look at how our Presidents approached their time in office… *Presidential Highlights*
Washington’s Farwell Address 1 • 1789-1797 (1796) • “I anticipate…the sweet enjoyment…of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart.” WAR 3 Political differences will weaken the nation/unity 2
Political Parties PP emerge because people have different ideas/opinions about how the federal government should be developed and handle situations such as war, civil liberties, a budget, the deficit, etc.) Why do they exist? What are they? A group of people that have common interests who want to influence or control the decision-making in government through voting or by leading
Believed in a strong federal government; promoted manufacturing; loose interpretation of the U.S. Constitution (ex. John Adams) Political Parties Despite G. Washington’s advice, PP emerged throughout the United States. Anti-slavery northerners united by the concept of stopping the spread of slavery out west (ex. M. Van Buren) The following parties emerged over time:Federalists Free-Soil Democratic – Republican Democrats Republicans Whigs Laborers that opposed emancipation; supporters of states’ rights (ex. A. Jackson) Preserve the power of state government and promote agriculture; strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, southern supported (ex. T. Jefferson) United against the spread of slavery in the west; abolitionists (ex. A. Lincoln) Weak president, but a strong Congress (ex. W.H. Harrison) Over time some of these PP merged together and others disbanded
Alexander Hamilton • Economist/Lawyer • First Secretary of Treasury • Federalist 20 yr. charter U.S. Treasury(originally known as the First National Bank) Prints/ mints paper money and coins Loose interpretation U.S. Constitution Manages national investments and debts Collects taxes
Protective tariff • Supported by Alexander Hamilton • Support the U.S. economy (promoting and protecting domestic manufacturing and business in the northeast) • Higher tariffs (tax) to raise prices of foreign goods in the United States
XYZ Affair Purpose: Improve relations with France that had been strained under Washington’s presidency Sure, for $250,000 and a loan of $12 million • 1798 • John Adams Heck, NO! Tensions flare U.S. diplomats to smooth over conflict and negotiate a treaty to protect U.S. shipping Results: Standing And eventually… SUCCESS!
Alien and Sedition Acts Federalists +D/R - • 1798 • Congress (Adams) • During the same time as the XYZ Affair was happening Congress passed a series of laws to “Protect the United States” during the undeclared naval war with France (“Quasi-War”) 1. resident power to deport if I can’t stand this government and J. Adams they are useless! 2. 2
Thomas Jefferson 1 First Term: Enjoyed prosperity, lower taxes (removed the Whiskey Tax), reduced national debt (less spending on govt. officials and the military) By the end of Jefferson’s Presidency the government was bigger (How did this happen?) • 1801-1809 • Democratic-Republican Party • Believed in the limited power of federal government • Strict interpretation of the Constitution (once he became President he practiced a loose interpretation of the Constitution) 2 4 3 Marbury v. Madison
Louisiana Purchase 1. • Once Spanish territory, a secret treaty passes ownership to France • Territory includes New Orleans (mouth of Mississippi River – significant trade route) • October 20, 1803 – approved by the Senate • $15 million (worth $300 billion today) • Thomas Jefferson (sends Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate purchase) 2x 2. Montana Colorado North Dakota Kansas South Dakota Oklahoma Minnesota Missouri Wyoming Arkansas Nebraska Louisiana Iowa Texas New Mexico 3. to Pacific Ocean 4.
Marbury v Madison 1. • Supreme Court Case (1803) • William Marbury (approved judge by J. Adams) • James Madison (Jefferson’s secretary of state) • 1st Act of Congress to be struck down by the Supreme Court (Judiciary Act of 1789) 2. judicial review: power of the Court to declare an act/law/order unconstitutional
Embargo Act WAR or • Thomas Jefferson • embargo – banning of trade • 1807 – banned trade with foreign nations • Passed to punish British and French; to protect American merchant ships from attack vs 2. 1. US NAVY What region of the United States do you think was impacted most by suspended trade? Results:
War of 1812 1. 3. British resurgence 1814 Bigger and superior – blockaded American seaports (despite small US naval victories) • James Madison (Pres. 1808-1816) • First official Congressional declaration of warUnited States vs. Great Britain • 1812-1814 (1815) • Second War of Independence 2. British – hoping to control the MR came across A. Jackson (2,000 GB casualties to 70 US casualties) 4. Canadian Borderoverland attack on the British– took years for the United States Army to defeat the British and Natives along this border (W. H. Harrison)
War of 1812 (results) 1. 3. Treaty of Ghent (Belgium 1814) -Officially ended the War of 1812 -Conquered lands returned American trade rekindled – helping northern manufacturing 4. Patriotism/Nationalism – sense of American pride increased 2. Andrew Jackson noted as a war hero – national recognition and fame
Monroe Doctrine • James Monroe (John Q. Adams – Sec. of State) • December 2, 1823 • Protects American interests • Attempt to restrain the influence of European nations in newly independent Latin American countries • Policy warning European powers not to interfere with the N. and S. America 1. Influence Let the world know the United States was a rising power – don’t test us 2. US Europe
American System • Henry Clay (J.Q. Adams/Jackson) – 1820’s • Promote national unity • Ideas to make the United States economically independent from other nations (no need for foreign trade) 1. 3. 2. Erie Canal – movement of goods and people faster across waterways Cumberland Road (MD to WV to OH) – first road built by the federal government
Political differences existed in part based on where and how people lived Taken Out 2015 Political Parties John Adams Thomas Jefferson Federalist Democratic- Republican Strict Interpretation Loose Interpretation