Colonists formed opinions about government based on political philosophy they had been reading.

1. Colonists formed opinions about government based on political philosophy they had been reading. • John Locke (English philosopher) • natural rights are for all humans • given by God, not government • life, liberty, property

3. Declaring independence from British rule was done by sending a document to the King of England and Parliament. • A convention was held to discuss what it would say. • Not everyone agreed the time was right to separate from Britain. • Thomas Jefferson collected ideas and wrote most of the Declaration of Independence.

4. As expected, the Dec of Independence began a war between Britain and the colonies. • Those who fought or supported the war were known as “Patriots”. • (That’s where New England gets its NFL team name.) • Those who remained loyal to Britain were called “Loyalists”.

5. Patriots chose George Washington as their Commander of the Continental Army. • He slept in a tent in the fields right where his men were – even through the brutal winters when many did not have blankets.

6. To make their own government, colonists called representatives to attend a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia beginning in July 1787. Again they chose Washington to lead them.

7. Discussion was lengthy and heated over the issue of slavery. • Southern states wanted to protect slavery in the Constitution. • Northerners pointed out the rest of the world was moving toward abolishing slavery. • (Benjamin Franklin said it would be an embarrassment for the new United States to keep using it and did not even want the word “slave”.)

8. Discussion was also lengthy and heated over how states would be represented in Congress. • Large states wanted the number of representatives to be based on population— “proportional” • Small states knew they wouldn’t have a chance in that system.

9. States with smaller populations liked the equalrepresentation plan that came out of New Jersey. Every state would have the same number of votes in any decision.

10. The House of Representatives would use proportional style. • Slave states wanted slaves to count in their total – so they’d have more voting power. • Non-slave states didn’t want to give extra benefit for what they didn’t use or value. • They agreed 3/5 of the slave population would be added to the white count.

11. The first federal government for the U.S. (created by the Articles of Confederation) was very weak: Congress had almost NO power. • All it could do is make laws, treaties, and war! • No law enforcement • No tax collection • The country needed both of those and then some—and that’s why it was a miserable failure.

12. When the Constitution was published for citizens to read and hopefully approve in their state’s voting.

13. ratify: (v) sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.

14. The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution

15. Citizens need a Bill of Rights for important reasons: • Protect people’s rights and freedoms • Limit the power of government • Some states refused to approve the Constitution without it. • It took a while to hammer out, but ten amendments were approved and became part of the Constitution.

16. The President has limited power and can serve just two terms in office.

17. Congress is bicameral—it has two parts. House – proportional Senate – equal

18. 9 states had to approve the Constitution before it became official – that’s 2/3 of them, which seemed like a strong enough majority for really big decisions.

19. George Washington knew he would need help being in charge of a complex government. The most important duty is carrying out laws in a fair way. He formed a group to give him advice, known as the Cabinet.

20. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were against creating a national bank. They wanted to strictly follow the Constitution, which said nothing of a bank. • We got one anyway.

21. George Washington left the presidency after eight years, and his Farewell Address gave these pieces of advice the nation: • Avoid long-standing relationships with other countries—they’ll cause us grief. • Avoid forming into political parties, or factions—they’ll split the country.

22. In a fairly short amount of time, states began challenging the federal government’s authority over them. States’ rights were claimed and argued in the Supreme Court and in opinion columns of the newspapers. For example, the Alien and Sedition Act was opposed by Kentucky and Virginia. These acts violate the Constitution!

23. George Washington was also correct in his view of political parties. • Federalists and Dem-Republicans disagreed • on nearly everything important: • economic issues • strength of the central government • how to interpret the Constitution

24. President / Vice-President pairs George Washington / John Adams John Adams/ Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson / Aaron Burr and George Clinton Be careful about starting fires you can’t put out!

25. France wasn’t satisfied with just a revolution against own king—declared war on England also. Pressure for U.S. to be involved (trade with both) Proclamation of Neutrality No French or British warships in our ports

26. William Marbury argued in the • Supreme Court that James Madison • had no authority to block Marbury from taking his seat in the federal court as appointed by former President John Adams. • The Supreme Court agreed, but it also pointed out its own lack of jurisdiction in the matter—which meant case dismissed! • So…established judicial review.

27. Other cases that matter:

28. Thomas Jefferson bought a giant chunk of land from Napoleon (leader of France). Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains

29. England (or, Britain) wanted shipping rights in Lake Erie because it controlled the land north of there. (Canada) Travel and trade (and power) are the reasons for the War of 1812.

30. Importance of the U.S. winning on Lake Erie: • a display of strength for our new navy fleet • Increased patriotism for US • Death of Native American leader, Tecumseh • Oliver Hazzard Perry Naval Commander in charge

31. New England states • were good for early factories. • many rivers • lots of established ports • people who wanted to work

32. Missouri Compromise • The Missouri Compromise was the attempt at maintaining a balance of representation from both slave states and free states in Congress. (same number of slave states and free states represented) SO… • Missouri was allowed to come in as a slave state • Maine was allowed to come in as a free state • Louisiana Territory (Unorganized Territory) New states to the north of the Compromise line = free state New state to the south of the Compromise Line = slave state

33. Louisiana Purchase • Napoleon needed money to fund the French Revolution • So, he sold The Louisiana Territory to the US for $15 million. • The land more than doubled the size of the US.

34. Jay’s Treaty • Washington sent John Jay, chief justice of the United States, to take care of the problems with the British. • The British agreed they would leave the United States. However, the treaty did not mention impressment or Britain's attemps to block American trade. 

35. Pinckney’s Treaty Spanish leaders were nervous about Jay's Treaty. They thought that the United States and Great Britain would now work together against Spain in North America. The treaty allowed Americans to use the Mississippi River and gave them the right to trade in New Orleans.

36. 3/5 Compromise • every five enslaved persons would count as three persons in the state's population total. • This population total would be used to set up taxes and decide on representation in Congress.

37. John Locke • Philosopher • Promoted Natural Rights: Life, liberty, property • Foundation of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution

38. Francis Scott Key • Lawyer and poet • Wrote The Star Spangled Banner

39. Thomas Paine • Magazine editor and soldier • published a pamphlet, Common Sense, which urged the colonists to fight for independence from Britain.

40. Sacagawea • Native American Woman • Led Lewis and Clark on their expedition

41. Lewis and Clark • Amateur scientists and explorers • Explored the northern part of the Louisiana Territory • Created the Northwest Passage (a way to get from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean). • Logged important scientific evidence about resources

42. Zebulon Pike • Explorer • Goals: to find the sources of the Arkansas River and the Red River • Wandered off course and wound up in Spanish territory, imprisoned for a year, US government negotiated his release

43. Dolley Madison • First lady to James Madison • Most famous for decorating the White House and rescuing valuables from the White House when it was burned by the British

44. Alexander Hamilton • Secretary of the Treasurey • Created Hamilton’s Plan for the US economy • Wrote many important pieces of legislation • Killed by VP Aaron Burr in a duel

45. James Madison • Secretary of State • See Marbury vs Madison • 4th President

46. Thomas Jefferson • 3rd president • He did so much! Review the previous slides and note wherever he is mentioned 

47. Oliver Hazzard Perry • Naval Officer • Victories created hope for soldiers and control of waterways