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Constitution and New Republic, 1776-1800

Constitution and New Republic, 1776-1800. Philadelphia Convention 1787. Washington agrees to preside only after Shays’ Rebellion Complete overhaul of federal gov’t on the agenda Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation obvious Fear of centralized gov’t still strong.

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Constitution and New Republic, 1776-1800

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  1. Constitution and New Republic,1776-1800

  2. Philadelphia Convention 1787 • Washington agrees to preside only after Shays’ Rebellion • Complete overhaul of federal gov’t on the agenda • Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation obvious • Fear of centralized gov’t still strong

  3. Madison and the Virginia Plan • Madison, Randolph and other Virginians dominate early proceedings • Executive, legislative, and judicial branches called for by Randolph • Bicameral Congress (2 houses) • Lower house by population • Lower chooses upper house

  4. Small States Respond (New Jersey Plan) • Patterson calls for unicameral Congress (one house) • Equal representation for all states • Increased taxing/interstate power • VA Plan supporters knew they had to compromise with the small states to ensure ratification

  5. The Great Compromise • Bicameral Congress created • House of Reps. (Lower House) • elected based on population • 3/5 compromise • Senate (Upper House) • equal representation for all states

  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 publish The Federalist Papers • Thought a stronger, more centralized gov’t was needed • Abandoned the ideas of the Articles of Confederation • Feared chaos and the power of the people

  8. Anti-Federalists • Jefferson led this group • 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 (Federalist) becomes Vice President • Remained “neutral” in politics (actually, supported Federalists)

  12. 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 Forming the First Cabinet

  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 Washington DC as compromise • Small farmers protest taxes • National Bank • “Loose” interpretation of Constitution troubled Jefferson, Madison, and others • Passed over protests

  15. Beginnings of Political Parties • Constitution does not mention parties • Washington opposed them • These early squabbles created allies and enemies • Federalists • Republicans (Anti-Federalist)

  16. Securing the Frontier • Northwest Ordinance was not enough • Land claims sorted out • Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvaniaput down by federal gov’t. when President Washington sent federal troops to stop it

  17. Whiskey Rebellion Flag

  18. Foreign Difficulties • Britain and France engaged in war • American neutrality declared • “Citizen Genet” • British impressment • Jay’s Treaty w/ Britain (Federalist influenced) • Pinckney’s Treaty w/ Spain (US can use the Mississippi)

  19. Pinckney’s Treaty

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

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

  22. Alien and Sedition Acts • Federalists attempt to quiet Republican Opposition • Alien Act • Harder for foreigners (tended to be Republican) to become citizens • Sedition Act • Punished anti-gov’t activities (writings and otherwise)

  23. The “Revolution” of 1800 • Rematch from 1796 • Bitter campaigns • Jefferson elected after 36 counts • Republicans now control executive and legislative branches of gov’t. • Federalists control judicial branch • Adams appoints “midnight” judges

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