Chapter 7 & 8 More Perfect Union The Federalist Era
Chapter 7 & 8More Perfect Union
The Federalist Era
Articles of ConfederationMay 1776, Congress asked state to
organize their gov’ts and adopt a state constitution
Many states established bicameral legislaturesWanted to limit state powers Keep power in hands of people
Articles of ConfederationAmericans agreed country should
be a republicCould not agree on organization
and powersFavored a weak central
government
Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation adopted in
Nov. 17772nd Continental Congress1st Constitution – new central gov’tA firm league of friendship
Articles of ConfederationCongress had authority:
Conduct foreign affairs Maintain armed forces Borrow money Issue currency
Congress could not Regulate trade Force citizens to join army Impose taxes No chief executive
TroubleArticles did not provide a gov’t strong enough
to handle the problems facing the United States Especially money, imported taxes, slavery
TroubleDemand for change
The Constitutional ConventionMay 1787Sessions not open to publicEvery state had one vote on
questionsGeorge Washington led meeting
Constitutional ConventionConvention
Virginia Plan – strong central gov’tPlan called for a two-house
legislature, a chief executive chosen by the legislature, and a court system
New Jersey Plan One-house legislature, with one vote
for each state. Congress – could set taxes and regulate trade
Constitutional ConventionGreat Compromise
Compromise between two proposed plans2-house legislature, House of
Representatives and SenateThree-Fifths Compromise
Every five enslaved persons would equal three free persons
Sept 17, 1787 – Constitution approved
ConstitutionConstitution created a federal system
Sharing power between federal and state governments
Supreme Law of the Land3 branches
Legislature branch – law makingExecutive branch – carry out lawsJudicial branch – court system
ConstitutionChecks and Balances
Each branch has ways to limit the power of the others so no single branch and dominate the government
May 1790 – Constitution was finally ratified by all states
PresidentApril 30, 1789 – George Washington took
the oath of office as the 1st President of the U.S.
Dec. 1791 – Bill of Rights added to ConstitutionLimited powers of gov’t to protect peoples
rightsFederal court system, economy (debt),
banks, tariffs, and taxesNew capital created in Washington, D.C.
Politicsmid-1790s – two distinct political parties
formedFederalists – favored strong federal gov’tDemocratic-Republicans – favored limited
gov’t powerSome differences between Federalists and
Republicans was 1) the basis of gov’t power and 2) about the role of ordinary people in gov’t
PoliticsFederalists supported representative gov’t
Did not believe it was wise to let public become too involved in politics
Republicans feared a strong central gov’t Believed that democracy and liberty
would be safe only if ordinary people participated fully in gov’t
ElectionsElection of 1796
1st time two candidates sought office from rival political parties
Held caucuses – meeting to chose their parties candidates
Federalists chose John AdamsRepublicans chose Thomas Jefferson
Adams – 71 electoral votesJefferson – 68 electoral votes
PresidencyAdams would inherent the dispute with
FranceAdams sent delegates to Paris to
resolve issues but the prime minister refused to see them and sent three agents out who demand a loan and bribe from the Americans
Became known as the XYZ Affair