Brinkley Chapter 6 Notes - Marlington Local Schools Chapter 6 Notes.pdf · Federalists and Republicans Though the Constitution was ratiﬁed, there remained many philosophical differences.

Brinkley Chapter 6 Notes

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Brinkley, Chapter 6

The Constitution and the New Republic

Framing a New Government

After Shays Rebellion, some of America's wealthiest and most powerful groups called for a stronger national government.

Leading the way was Alexander Hamilton.

Hamilton found allies in James Madison and George Washington who called for a Constitutional Convention.

55 delegates met in Philadelphia. All states were represented except Rhode Island.The "Founding Fathers" were young

(44), well educated, wealthy property owners, and feared concentrated power.

The convention unanimously George Washington to preside over its sessions. Was

closed to the public and to the press.

All delegates agreed:

Each state received one vote in the Convention and a simple majority was needed to pass a resolution.

Independence Hall

The Philadelphia Convention

Not in attendance were John Adams (England) and Thomas Jefferson (France). Sam Adams was not welcomed as he was deemed too fiery. Patrick Henry refused to attend because he "smelt a rat."

The US needed a stronger central government

Issue of Representation

V.

James MadisonWilliam Paterson

Convention rejected the New Jersey Plan, but supporters of the Virginia Plan realized they needed to compromise.

Rejected state sovereignty in favor of the "supremacy of the national government" .

V.

Issue of Slavery

To placate southern states, the delegates agreed that the federal government could not ban the

slave trade for 20 years.

"Upper" Southern states such as VA and MD hoped to abolish the slave trade.

"Lower" Southern states such as SC and GA refused to partake in any union that abolished the slave trade.

Article 1 Section 2

Issue of the Presidency

V.


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Issue of Trade

V.

Unresolved Issues

No definition of citizenship

Status of Indian Tribes

Absence of a list of individual rights, restraining the powers of the federal government (A.K.A Bill of Rights)

No mention of slavery

Undoubtedly, Charlie Brown is awesome, but try to stay away from this version of the Constitutional Convention!

The Constitution of 1787

James Madison "The Father of the Constitution"

Madison's 2 most important achievements:

1. The question of sovereignty

2. The question of limiting power

Discontinued in 1969

The Question of Sovereignty

How could a national government exercise sovereignty concurrently with state governments? Where did ultimate sovereignty lie?

All power, at all levels of government flowed ultimately from the people. Thus neither the federal government nor the state governments were truly sovereign.

The resolution of the problem of sovereignty made possible one of the distinctive features of the Constitution - Federalism , or the division of powers between the national and state governments.

The Question of Limiting PowerBaron de Montesquieu Separation of Power & Checks and Balances

Adoption and Adaptation

9 of 13 states were needed to adopt the Constitution.

States assembled delegates to begin their own conventions to vote on ratification

A national debate ensued though over individual rights and the protections of individual rights from the government

The nation was divided between Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Federalists - a term that opponents of centralization once used to describe themselves - thus implying that they were less committed to a "nationalist" government than in fact they were.


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Supporters:

Washington

Franklin

Madison

Hamilton

Jay

Supporters:

Patrick Henry

Sam Adams

Jefferson

Believed they were the true

defenders of the Revolution.

Government will increase taxes,

weaken the states, favor the

rich over the commoners, and bolish individual

libertyWrote the Federalist Papers to support their position

Ratification

In the winter of 1787-1788, Delaware ratified the Constitution first.

New Jersey & Georgia soon followed.

New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify.

North Carolina waited to see if in fact a Bill of Rights would be added.

Rhode Island did not even consider ratification.

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12 3

4

1356

7

812

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The First Congress

The first Congress served in many

ways as a continuation of the

Constitutional Convention.

Most important task was drafting

the Bill of Rights.

By early 1789, even James Madison

saw the importance of a Bill of

Rights.

9 of the first 10 Amendments placed limits on the federal government.

The Federal Courts

The Constitution only states: "The judicial power of the United States shall

be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress

may from time to time ordain and establish."

The Judiciary Act of 1789 provided for a Supreme Court with 6 justices and a

system of lower courts and appeals courts

Executive Departments

The Congress created three departments of the executive branch:

Secretary of War

Established the Postmaster General and Attorney General

Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury

Henry Knox

Edmund RandolphSamuel Osgood

Federalists and Republicans

Though the Constitution was ratified, there remained many philosophical

differences.Federalists

Powerful group who

envisioned America as a

genuine nation-state, with

centralized authority and a

complex commercial

economy.

Democratic - Republicans

Group whose members envisioned a

more modest national government.

Rather than aspire to be a highly

commercial or urban nation, it

should remain predominantly rural

and agrarian.

Washington & Hamilton Jefferson & Madison


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Hamilton and the Federalists

For 12 years, the Federalists controlled the

government partly because Washington

believed in a strong central government.

But, he tried to avoid deliberations and

controversies in Congress.

Alexander Hamilton rose as the face of the Federalist Party.

Hamilton was one of the most aristocratic in political philosophy. Believed in

an elite ruling class. As Treasury Secretary he devised bold policies to

enhance national authority and to assist financiers and merchants.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

The new government needed the support of the wealthy and powerful. Government

needed to give elites a stake in success.

Hamilton outlined his vision in 3 plans proposed to Congress.

1. "Report on the Public Credit" (Jan. 1790)

2. "Report on a National Bank" (Dec. 1790)

3. "Report on Manufactures (Jan. 1791).

1. Hamilton asked Congress to redeem at face value the $55 million in Confederation

securities held by foreign and domestic investors.

As an underdeveloped nation, the US needed good credit to secure loans from

Dutch and British financiers. However, his plan gave enormous profits to speculators,

who bought depreciated securities.

Few members of Congress rejected Hamilton's

plan for funding the national debt, but many

opposed his proposal to exchange new bonds for

old certificates of indebtedness on a dollar-for-

dollar basis.

Many original bond holders were forced to

sell them to speculators in the 1780s at a

fraction of their face value.

At the insistence of Hamilton,

Congress passed the bill to

exchange the bonds.

Equally controversial was Hamilton's proposal to pay note holders with new interest-

bearing securities, thereby creating a permanent national debt.

Hamilton then proposed that the national government further enhance public

credit by assuming the war debts of the states. This assumption plan, costing $22

million benefitted the wealthy as they also purchased depreciated bonds.


2. Hamilton's bank plan would be jointly owned by private stockholders and the

national government.


Hamilton argued the bank would provide stability to the specie-starved American

economy by making loans to merchants, handling government funds, and issuing bills

of credit. These potential benefits persuaded Congress to grant Hamilton's bank a

20 year charter and send the legislation to the president for his approval.

Jefferson and Madison opposed Hamilton's plan. Jefferson believed the bank was

unconstitutional. Jefferson's argument rested on a strict interpretation of the

Constitution. Jefferson told Washington that it was not a power expressly "delegated to

the United States by the Constitution."

Hamilton preferred a loose interpretation. He told Washington that Article 1 Section 8

empowered Congress to make "All Laws which shall be necessary and proper" to carry

out the provisions of the Constitution. Washington agreed with Hamilton and signed the

national bank legislation.

Enacting Hamilton's Program

Hamilton's assumption of debt proposal faced greater opposition.

Opponents argued that if the federal government took over the state debts,

the states with small debts would have to pay taxes to service the states with

large ones.

Massachusetts, for example, owed

much more money than Virginia.

Hamilton had to compromise

with the Virginians.

In exchange for northern support for placing the nation's capital in the

South close to Virginia, the south would vote for assumption of the states'

debt. The land was to be chosen by George Washington.

3. Hamilton sought revenue to pay the annual interest on the national debt.


He urged the expansion of American manufacturing but did not want a protective

tariff but a revenue tariff. As American trade increased, customs revenue rose

steadily and paid down the national debt.

The funding and assumption of debts would require new sources of revenue. 2 new

taxes:

1. Excise tax on alcoholic beverages, a

tax that would burden whiskey

distillers and small farmers who

converted part of their corn and rye

into whiskey.

2. Tariff on imports, not only to raise

revenue, but to protect domestic

manufacturers from foreign

competition


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Hamilton's Vision

But, Congress agreed to Hamilton's bill

despite these objections. The Bank of

the United States began operations in

1791 in Philadelphia.

Once enacted, Hamilton's program

won the support of manufacturers,

creditors, and other influential

segments of the population.

Small farmers claimed they were taxed excessively and others argued the Federalist

program only benefited the wealthy elites, rather than everyone

The Federalists offered more than a vision of a stable new government, but one run

by an enlightened ruling class and an independent commerical economy.

The Democratic - Republican Opposition

The Constitution made no reference to political parties. Most framers believed

political parties were dangerous.

However, Madison and Jefferson believed

Hamilton and the Federalists were doing

many of the same things that the corrupt

British government had before the

Revolution.Out of this rose the Democratic-Republicans.

Jefferson promoted a vision of an agrarian republic, in which most citizens

would farm their own land. Jefferson did not scorn commercial or industrial

activity, but believed the nation should be wary off too much industrialization.

Regional and Economic Differences

The Federalists were most

numerous in the commercial centers

of the Northeast and in southern

seaports as Charleston.

Democratic - Republicans were

stronger in the rural areas of the

South and West.

The most glaring difference was the support of the French Revolution. The

Federalists expressed horror and the Democratic-Republicans applauded

the democratic spirit.

Electoral Map 1796

Establishing National Sovereignty

The Federalists consolidated their position by acting effectively in the western territories and the West.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 - farmers in western Pennsylvania raised a major challenge to federal authority when they refused to pay the new whiskey excise tax and began terrorizing tax collectors in the region.

Hamilton urged Washington to use the federal army and lead them into Pennsylvania. The rebellion collapsed upon the approach of the militia.

The federal government won the allegiance of the whiskey rebels through intimidation.

Indians' Ambiguous Status

The new government inherited border conflicts with Indian tribes.

These clashes revealed another issue the Constitution did little to resolve:

The place of Indian nations within the new federal structure

The Indians' legal standing.

The issue of land and the sovereignty of land

War Between France and Britain

Both Washington and Congress tried to remain neutral

1794 - British Navy began to seize American ships in the West Indies.

Hamilton was concerned, war with England ended imports from England - most of the revenue to maintain his financial system came from these duties

George Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to negotiate a settlement. Jay was instructed to secure compensation for the assault on American shipping.


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Jay's TreatyJay's treaty failed to garner compensation but it avoided a likely war.

Provided undisputed sovereignty over the entire Northwest (British removed the last

of its troops) and produced a reasonably satisfactory commercial relationship.

Pinckney's Treaty

Settled American disputes with Spain.

Spain recognized the right of the Americans

to navigate the Mississippi River and to

deposit goods in New Orleans

Agreed to the northern border of Florida

Spain commanded its authorities in Florida to stop Indian raids on the border.

Election of 1796

Washington refused to run for a

3rd term

Jefferson was the obvious choice as a

presidential candidate for the

Democratic-Republicans

The Federalists were caught

between John Adams and

Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton created too many enemies to be a credible candidate and therefore

nominated Adams

Quasi War with France

Relations with Revolutionary France quickly deteriorated.

French vessels captured American ships

on the oceans. The French government

refused to meet with American diplomat

Charles Pinckney.

In an effort to stabilize relations, John

Adams appointed a bipartisan

commission to negotiate with France.

When the diplomats arrived in 1797, three agents of French foreign minister

Talleyrand demanded a loan for France and a bribe for French officials

before any negotiations could begin. The Americans refused.

XYZ Affair

When Adams heard of the incident with

Talleyrand, he urged Congress to prepare for

war.

In his message to Congress he referred to the

French officials as X, Y, and Z.The XYZ Affair provoked

popular outrage and

increased the strength of the

Federalist Party.

For nearly two years, the U.S.

found itself engaged in an

undeclared war with France.

Repression and Protest

The empowered Federalists began to find ways to silence the Democratic-

Republicans.

The Alien and Sedition Acts

The Alien Act placed new obstacles in the way of foreigners who wished to

become American citizens, and it strengthened the president's hand in

dealing with aliens.

The Sedition Act allowed the government to prosecute those who engaged in

"sedition" against the government. Since there was no clear definition, it

allowed the government to silence virtually all opposition.

Adams signed the laws cautiously for fear of launching a broad crusade

against the Democratic-Republicans.

The "Revolution" of 1800

Adams was the candidate for president of the Federalist Party and Jefferson

(Burr) for the Democratic-Republicans

Federalists accused Jefferson of

being a dangerous radical whose

followers were wile men who, if

they came to power, would bring

a "Reign of Terror" comparable

to that of the French Revolution.Democratic-Republicans portrayed

Adams as a tyrant conspiring to become

king, and accused the Federalists of

plotting to impose slavery on the people.

The election was incredibly close


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The "Revolution" of 1800

When all votes were cast for the presidency, Jefferson and Burr each received 73 votes.

Jefferson and Burr were listed on the same ticket, although the vice-president was to be elected separately.

Therefore, a vote went to the House of Representatives to elect the President

Jefferson - 73

Burr - 73

Adams - 65

Pinkney - 64

Jay - 1

The current Congress was to vote. Each state had one vote. Hamilton convinced many Federalists that Burr was not to be trusted and to vote for Jefferson. It is believed

that Hamilton's actions led to the duel with Burr.

Judiciary Act 1801

After the election of 1800, the only branch of government left in the hands of the Federalists was the Judiciary.

The Adam's administration spent its last months in office taking steps to make the party's hold on the courts secure.

Judiciary Act of 1801 - Federalists reduced the number of Supreme Court justices by one, but increased the number of federal judges as a whole

Adams appointed John Marshall to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and other Federalists to posts as federal judges.

It is rumored Adams worked through midnight to complete the assignments before leaving office, often called the "midnight appointments."

Brinkley Chapter 6 Notes - Marlington Local Schools Chapter 6 Notes.pdf · Federalists and Republicans Though the Constitution was ratiﬁed, there remained many philosophical differences.

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