Launching the new ship of state

1. Launching the new ship of state

2. The Battle over ratification • The controversy over ratification of the new constitution involved the same basic cleavage in the American populace that had existed during the Revolution and under the Articles of Confederation: conservatives and radicals. • Ratification would be accomplished by intensive propaganda and a variety of political negotiations and bargains.

3. Anti-federalist Fears • Powers of the chief executive would be used to establish a military despotism • States would lose their independence to a centralized tyranny • Absence of a bill of rights • Creation of a federal district (District of Columbia) as a “federal stronghold” • Creation of a standing army • Ratification by only two-thirds of the states

4. Winning over the anti-federalists • Federalists in Massachusetts would promise that protection of individual rights would be safeguarded by amendment by the first Congress. • New Hampshire, dominated by Anti-Federalists, adjourned and then then won over enough waverers to ratify (the ninth state). • In Virginia, Federalists such as Washington, Madison, and John Marshall countered the arguments of fiery Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry; Virginia ratified by a vote of 89 to 79.

5. The Battle in New York • State convention was heavily anti-federalist. • Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay penned a series of articles for New York newspapers. • The Federalist Papers were written as propaganda to turn public opinion. They remain the most important commentary ever written on the Constitution. • The New York convention closely ratified the Constitution by a vote of 30 to 27.

6. The Washington Administration begins • Washington was the unanimous choice of the Electoral College for President. • Executive Departments were created and their heads appointed: Treasury – Alexander Hamilton War – Henry Knox State – Thomas Jefferson • Crucial question: Who should advise the President? – led to development of cabinet system

7. The Work of Congress • Judiciary Act of 1789 - Supreme Court organization: one chief justice, 5 associate justices - created federal district and circuit courts - creation of position of attorney general (Edmund Randolph appointed and confirmed by Senate) • Submission of 17 amendments to the states - 10 were ratified by ¾ of state legislatures and became known as the Bill of Rights

8. Challenges facing the nation • Establish the credit of the United States and put the nation on a sound economic footing • Promote the development of industry in the United States • Establish amicable relations with foreign nations and promote international trade • Build up a strong merchant marine • Reinforce the power of the new federal government to enforce its laws