Economic Problems Military men: refusal of Congress to fund pensions pensions Manufacturers: uniform high national duty Merchants/shippers: a single,

Economic ProblemsEconomic ProblemsMilitary men: refusal of Congress to fund Military men: refusal of Congress to fund pensionspensionsManufacturers: uniform high national dutyManufacturers: uniform high national dutyMerchants/shippers: a single, national Merchants/shippers: a single, national commercial policycommercial policyLand speculators: remove Indian menaceLand speculators: remove Indian menaceCreditors: stop states from issuing paperCreditors: stop states from issuing paper moneymoneyInvestors: government fund debtInvestors: government fund debtLarge property owners: protection from mobsLarge property owners: protection from mobs

Tensions based on fear of disorder/violenceTensions based on fear of disorder/violenceResolute defense of individual rights (a Resolute defense of individual rights (a core principle of Revolution) and publiccore principle of Revolution) and public concern for safety and security concern for safety and security

Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton

Most resourceful of the Most resourceful of the reformersreformersPolitical geniusPolitical geniusNew York lawyerNew York lawyerRevolutionary War aide deRevolutionary War aide de camp to Washingtoncamp to WashingtonCalled for a national Called for a national conventionconvention

September 1786: Annapolis September 1786: Annapolis Convention Convention

Only 5 states: DL, NJ, NY, PA, VA Only 5 states: DL, NJ, NY, PA, VA

Tried to resolve some differences Tried to resolve some differences among states among states

Decided to meet again Decided to meet again with all states in with all states in Philadelphia in May 1787Philadelphia in May 1787

Proposal drafted by Proposal drafted by HamiltonHamilton

Washington Franklin MadisonWashington Franklin Madison

Sherman Gorham Paterson RandolphSherman Gorham Paterson Randolph

Procedural rules Procedural rules

Closed to public & press Closed to public & press Each state delegation hadEach state delegation had one voteone voteSimple majority for majorSimple majority for major decisionsdecisions

The Virginia Plan The Virginia Plan Strong national government Strong national government Bicameral legislature Bicameral legislature

Strong executive Strong executive

Membership in both Membership in both houses based on populationhouses based on population

Judiciary Judiciary

Taxes Taxes LawsLawsTrade Trade

Issues/Concerns with Virginia Plan Issues/Concerns with Virginia Plan First house elected by people First house elected by people Second house elected by first house Second house elected by first house from among candidates nominated from among candidates nominated by states by states Small states felt this plan favored the Small states felt this plan favored the larger states larger states (VA, PA, MA, MD, NC)(VA, PA, MA, MD, NC)Executive & Judiciary selected by Executive & Judiciary selected by Congress Congress Some feared strong executive Some feared strong executive National court system National court system

The New Jersey Plan The New Jersey Plan Counterproposal to VA Plan, more Counterproposal to VA Plan, more representative of states, particularly representative of states, particularly small states small states

William Patterson William Patterson Weak executive controlled by legislatureWeak executive controlled by legislatureStrong unicameral legislature Strong unicameral legislature

Each state equal representation—one Each state equal representation—one vote each vote each Members chosen by state legislatures Members chosen by state legislatures

One supreme court—chosen by legis.One supreme court—chosen by legis.

TaxTaxCommerceCommerce

The Great Compromise The Great Compromise Roger Sherman Roger Sherman

My under-My under-wear is too wear is too

tight!tight!Bicameral legislature Bicameral legislature House of Representatives House of Representatives chosen by population/chosen by population/ elected by the people elected by the people (Virginia Plan)(Virginia Plan)

Senate—each state have 1 (later Senate—each state have 1 (later changed to 2) representatives elected changed to 2) representatives elected by state legislatures by state legislatures (NJ Plan—smaller (NJ Plan—smaller states equal to larger ones)states equal to larger ones)

Slavery—the 3/5 Compromise Slavery—the 3/5 Compromise Southern states: count slaves as Southern states: count slaves as population population (for representation in (for representation in The House of Representatives)The House of Representatives)Many northern delegates opposed Many northern delegates opposed slavery slavery

Slaves had no legal rights, therefore Slaves had no legal rights, therefore should not be counted in population should not be counted in population Some southern states: if slaves not Some southern states: if slaves not counted, would not sign Constitution counted, would not sign Constitution The compromise: each slave = 3/5 of The compromise: each slave = 3/5 of one free person one free person

Other compromises Other compromises Southerners feared that Congress Southerners feared that Congress could vote to make importing could vote to make importing slaves into the U.S. illegalslaves into the U.S. illegalSoutherners also did not want taxes Southerners also did not want taxes on exportson exports—economy of southern —economy of southern states depended on exportsstates depended on exports The compromise: Congress could not The compromise: Congress could not ban importation of slaves before ban importation of slaves before 1808 and could not tax exports1808 and could not tax exports

President chosen by state electors—President chosen by state electors— the number of electors for a given the number of electors for a given state = its senators + its representatives state = its senators + its representatives

Electoral Votes Electoral Votes If no candidate receives a majority of If no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, House of electoral votes, House of Representatives would choose Representatives would choose Has occurred twice—1800 and 1824Has occurred twice—1800 and 1824

Other compromises Other compromises

Most creative political thinker (Father Most creative political thinker (Father of the Constitution): James Madison of the Constitution): James Madison

Protégé of Jefferson Protégé of Jefferson Took extensive Took extensive notes of the notes of the debatesdebates—main —main record of what record of what went on—convention went on—convention closed to public closed to public

Based on extensive study of Based on extensive study of history and politics,history and politics, developed the developed the Virginia Plan Virginia Plan

Co-sovereignty issue Co-sovereignty issue All power directly flowed from the people,All power directly flowed from the people,so neither federal government nor stateso neither federal government nor stategovernments were truly sovereigngovernments were truly sovereignFederalism:Federalism: Article VI: Supremacy Clause: the Article VI: Supremacy Clause: the national government creates the national government creates the supreme law of the land supreme law of the land

Federal: broad powers to tax, regulate Federal: broad powers to tax, regulate commerce, control currency, pass lawscommerce, control currency, pass laws (elastic or necessary and proper clause)(elastic or necessary and proper clause)

Possible tyranny from concentrated authority?Possible tyranny from concentrated authority?Montesquieu: a republic must be Montesquieu: a republic must be confined to a relatively small confined to a relatively small area; large area breeds despotismarea; large area breeds despotismbecause rulers too distant from because rulers too distant from most of the people.most of the people.

Madison: large republic less likelyMadison: large republic less likelyto produce tyranny, because it to produce tyranny, because it would contain so many differentwould contain so many differentfactions that no single group factions that no single group would ever dominate. Concept would ever dominate. Concept of checks and balances of checks and balances

Concept of separation of powers and Concept of separation of powers and Checks and balancesChecks and balances

Signed by delegates September 17, 1787Signed by delegates September 17, 1787

FederalistsFederalists

Supporters of ConstitutionSupporters of ConstitutionBetter organizedBetter organized

Anti-federalists Anti-federalists Included Patrick Henry Included Patrick Henry

Defenders of true principles Defenders of true principles of the Revolutionof the RevolutionBelieved Constitution would Believed Constitution would betray those principles by betray those principles by establishing a strong, potentially establishing a strong, potentially tyrannical, center of powertyrannical, center of powerBiggest complaint: no bill of rightsBiggest complaint: no bill of rightsNo government can be trusted to No government can be trusted to protect the liberties of its citizensprotect the liberties of its citizens without enumerating the natural rights without enumerating the natural rights of peopleof people

States of greatest concern to States of greatest concern to FederalistsFederalists

New YorkNew York

and Virginia and Virginia

To “sell” the Constitution To “sell” the Constitution to those states,to those states,New YorkersNew Yorkers John Jay John Jay and Alexander and Alexander

HamiltonHamilton and and VirginianVirginian James MadisonJames Madison

Wrote Wrote a series of pamphlets known asa series of pamphlets known as The Federalist Papers The Federalist Papers calling them-calling them- selves selves PubliusPublius

Madison also Madison also promised thatpromised that, if New York , if New York and Virginia ratified the and Virginia ratified the Constitution,Constitution, the First the First Congress would create a Congress would create a national national Bill of RightsBill of Rights..

The strategy worked—The strategy worked— all 13 states finally all 13 states finally ratified the Constitutionratified the Constitution

FederalistsFederalists

Feared disorder, anarchy, chaos: Feared disorder, anarchy, chaos: the the unchecked power of the massesunchecked power of the massesWanted a government that would Wanted a government that would function at a distance from function at a distance from popular popular passions; passions; anti-federalists feared anti-federalists feared dangers of concentrated powerdangers of concentrated power

George Washington unanimous choice George Washington unanimous choice as first president as first president John Adams—first VPJohn Adams—first VP

Establishing a Judiciary Establishing a Judiciary

Constitution vague Constitution vague

““. . . Judicial power . . . vested in. . . Judicial power . . . vested inone Supreme Court, and in such inferiorone Supreme Court, and in such inferiorcourts as the Congress may from timecourts as the Congress may from timeto time ordain and establish.”to time ordain and establish.”

Article 3, Section 1Article 3, Section 1

Judiciary Act of 1789Judiciary Act of 1789

Supreme Court Supreme Court

Federal Circuit CourtsFederal Circuit Courts

Federal District CourtsFederal District Courts

Executive Branch Executive Branch FirstFirst cabinet: cabinet:

Secretary of State: T. JeffersonSecretary of State: T. JeffersonSecretary of Treasury: A. HamiltonSecretary of Treasury: A. HamiltonSecretary of War: H. KnoxSecretary of War: H. KnoxAttorney General: E. RandolphAttorney General: E. Randolph

Executive Branch Executive Branch

First cabinet:First cabinet: conflict by designconflict by designWashington a range of opinionsWashington a range of opinions

HamiltonHamilton vs.vs. JeffersonJefferson

HamiltonHamilton vs.vs. JeffersonJefferson

Northern (NY) Northern (NY) Southern (VA)Southern (VA)Strong central govtStrong central govt State/local govtsState/local govts share power;share power;

limited natl. govtlimited natl. govt Feared mob ruleFeared mob rule Feared Feared absoluteabsolute rulers or rulers or powerpowerLoose interpretationLoose interpretation Strict interpretationStrict interpretation

of Constitutionof Constitution

HamiltonHamilton vs.vs. JeffersonJefferson

Leadership by elites Virtuous farmersLeadership by elites Virtuous farmers and tradesmenand tradesmen Supported bySupported by Supported by Supported by merchants, land-merchants, land- plain people: plain people: owners, lawyers,owners, lawyers, farmers and farmers and manufacturers,manufacturers, trades people trades people investors, clergyinvestors, clergy

““. . . Acrimony seldom matched . . . since”. . . Acrimony seldom matched . . . since”Framers dealt with many disagreements Framers dealt with many disagreements by not solving them; papered them overby not solving them; papered them over with vague compromises leading to with vague compromises leading to conflictconflict

First fundamental disagreement First fundamental disagreement Strong or modest central governmentStrong or modest central governmentOne group: genuine nation-state, One group: genuine nation-state, centralized authority, complex centralized authority, complex commercial economycommercial economyOther group: American society should Other group: American society should not aspire to be highly commercial or not aspire to be highly commercial or urban; rather rural and agrarian, with urban; rather rural and agrarian, with most power in hands of states most power in hands of states

Washington’s position?Washington’s position?Strong national governmentStrong national governmentPresidency should remainPresidency should remain above political controversiesabove political controversiesAvoided personal Avoided personal involvement with Congressinvolvement with CongressHamilton emerged as the Hamilton emerged as the dominant figure: exerted dominant figure: exerted most influence on most influence on Domestic and foreign policy Domestic and foreign policy

Hamilton’s Economic PlanHamilton’s Economic Plan

1790: U.S. huge national debt.1790: U.S. huge national debt.• Government take responsibility Government take responsibility for for for existing public debtfor existing public debt• Federal government assume Federal government assume states’ states’ debtsdebts• Create a large and permanent Create a large and permanent nationalnational debtdebt• Create a national bank Create a national bank • Excise taxes on distillers & tariff Excise taxes on distillers & tariff

Hamilton’s Economic PlanHamilton’s Economic PlanJefferson opposed paying off states’ Jefferson opposed paying off states’ debtsdebts Only pay off national debt; many Only pay off national debt; many southern southern states had already states had already paid off state debts.paid off state debts.

Would accept national Would accept national bank if capital movedbank if capital moved to new city on banks to new city on banks of Potomac River.of Potomac River.

Hamilton’s Economic PlanHamilton’s Economic Plan For: influential segments of population,For: influential segments of population, speculators plus manufacturers and speculators plus manufacturers and merchantsmerchants Anti: small farmers (majority)Anti: small farmers (majority) Disproportionate tax burdenDisproportionate tax burden Property taxes to statesProperty taxes to states Bore brunt of excise taxesBore brunt of excise taxes

Washington and Political Parties Washington and Political Parties A party system is a A party system is a

danger to national unity. danger to national unity. It should be avoided.It should be avoided.

Madison & Jefferson: convinced that Madison & Jefferson: convinced that Hamilton and his supporters had become Hamilton and his supporters had become an overbearing majorityan overbearing majority

Republican Party:Republican Party:Hamilton had worked to Hamilton had worked to establish a national establish a national network of influence that embodied allnetwork of influence that embodied all the worst features of a partythe worst features of a partyFederalists had used control over Federalists had used control over appointments and awarding governmentappointments and awarding government franchises to reward supporters and winfranchises to reward supporters and win additional alliesadditional alliesSame as corrupt British governments Same as corrupt British governments

Jefferson’s VisionJefferson’s VisionAgrarian republic, most of Agrarian republic, most of whose citizens would be whose citizens would be sturdy, independent farmer-sturdy, independent farmer- citizenscitizensNeither opposed industry nor scorned Neither opposed industry nor scorned commercial activitycommercial activityU. S. should develop some U. S. should develop some manufacturing, but suspicious of manufacturing, but suspicious of large citieslarge cities

Reactions to French RevolutionReactions to French Revolution

Horror ApplaudedHorror Applauded

Federalists RepublicansFederalists Republicans

Areas of partisan strengthAreas of partisan strength

FederalistsFederalists

RepublicansRepublicans

Whiskey Rebellion--1794Whiskey Rebellion--1794Key event in establishingKey event in establishing the Federal Gov as being the Federal Gov as being supreme in domestic affairs.supreme in domestic affairs.Congress: protective tariff on goodsCongress: protective tariff on goods imported from Europe. imported from Europe. To pay off national debts, HamiltonTo pay off national debts, Hamilton wanted more revenue.wanted more revenue.

Whiskey Rebellion--1794Whiskey Rebellion--1794Hamilton got Congress toHamilton got Congress to approve an excise tax on theapprove an excise tax on the manufacture of whiskey.manufacture of whiskey.Farmers in western Farmers in western PA refused to pay tax;PA refused to pay tax; attacked tax collectorsattacked tax collectors collectors and soldiers. collectors and soldiers.

Washington led militias of 3 states intoWashington led militias of 3 states into PA; rebellion quickly collapsed.PA; rebellion quickly collapsed.

Events leading to Jay Treaty Events leading to Jay Treaty British assaults on AmericanBritish assaults on American shippingshipping

British governor general of Canada: British governor general of Canada: bellicose speech to Native Americansbellicose speech to Native Americanson northwestern frontier on northwestern frontier

Jay Treaty With England Jay Treaty With England

November 19, 1794November 19, 1794British—evacuate all posts British—evacuate all posts in Northwest Territory but in Northwest Territory but could continue fur trading could continue fur trading on U. S. side of Canadian border. on U. S. side of Canadian border. Created a reasonably satisfactory Created a reasonably satisfactory commercial relationship with Britaincommercial relationship with Britain

French went to great lengths to defeat itFrench went to great lengths to defeat it

1795—Pinckney Treaty with Spain1795—Pinckney Treaty with SpainSpain gave up all claims to land Spain gave up all claims to land east of Mississippi Rivereast of Mississippi RiverSpain recognized Spain recognized right of Americans right of Americans to navigate the to navigate the Mississippi River &Mississippi River & deposit goods at deposit goods at New OrleansNew OrleansNorthern boundary Northern boundary of Florida: 31of Florida: 31stst ParallelParallel

Election of 1796Election of 1796Washington decided not to run, setting Washington decided not to run, setting a precedent that would last until 1940a precedent that would last until 1940

Federalists: J. Adams and T. Federalists: J. Adams and T. Pinckney; Pinckney; Republicans: T. Jefferson and A. Republicans: T. Jefferson and A. BurrBurr

Election of 1796Election of 1796

Adams wins: 71 electoral votes toAdams wins: 71 electoral votes to 68 electoral votes68 electoral votes

Jefferson became VP in accordanceJefferson became VP in accordance with the Constitution. (Changedwith the Constitution. (Changed by 12by 12thth Amendment in 1804) Amendment in 1804)

Therefore, conflict within ExecutiveTherefore, conflict within Executive

John Adams as PresidentJohn Adams as PresidentPresided over a divided Presided over a divided Federalist partyFederalist partyStrong and resourceful Strong and resourceful Republican oppositionRepublican oppositionNot dominant figure in hisNot dominant figure in his own partyown partyAccomplished and talented statesmanAccomplished and talented statesmanBut, few political skillsBut, few political skillsAustere, rigid, aloofAustere, rigid, aloof

Adams’ Foreign CrisisAdams’ Foreign CrisisFrench objected to JayFrench objected to Jay TreatyTreatyFelt it violated Treaty Felt it violated Treaty of 1778of 1778Adams—diplomats to meet withAdams—diplomats to meet with Foreign Minister TallyrandForeign Minister TallyrandXYZ Affair—anti-French feelingsXYZ Affair—anti-French feelings in USin USQuasi war; eventually resolvedQuasi war; eventually resolved

Adams: Domestic Crisis Adams: Domestic Crisis

Many immigrants joined Dem-RepsMany immigrants joined Dem-Reps

Federalists accused Dem-Reps &Federalists accused Dem-Reps & immigrants of favoring foreignimmigrants of favoring foreign powerspowers

1798—Alien & Sedition Acts passed1798—Alien & Sedition Acts passed

Alien ActAlien ActNew obstacles in the way of foreigners New obstacles in the way of foreigners who wished to become American who wished to become American citizens; strengthened President’s citizens; strengthened President’s hand in dealing with aliens hand in dealing with aliens Adams cautious in implementingAdams cautious in implementingHelped discourage immigration and Helped discourage immigration and encouraged some foreign people encouraged some foreign people already in U. S. to leavealready in U. S. to leave

Sedition ActSedition ActAllowed government to prosecute thoseAllowed government to prosecute those who engaged in sedition against the who engaged in sedition against the government; stifled oppositiongovernment; stifled oppositionAdams prevented government from Adams prevented government from launching a major crusade against the launching a major crusade against the RepublicansRepublicans

Alien and Sedition Acts Alien and Sedition Acts

VA/KY—Principle of Nullification VA/KY—Principle of Nullification Jefferson & Madison Jefferson & Madison Because the Federal Because the Federal Government came from Government came from the statesthe states, individual , individual states have the right to states have the right to nullify, or not obey, nullify, or not obey, laws they believed laws they believed unconstitutional. unconstitutional.

Argument not tested in court Argument not tested in court

Election of 1800Election of 1800

Adams & Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Adams & Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and John Jay and John Jay vs. Jefferson and Burr vs. Jefferson and Burr May have been the ugliest presidential May have been the ugliest presidential campaign in U. S. history campaign in U. S. history

Professor Joseph Ellis,Professor Joseph Ellis,Mount Holyoke CollegeMount Holyoke College““The First Democrats”The First Democrats”U. S. News & World U. S. News & World ReportReport, July 2004, July 2004

Election of 1800Election of 1800Burr and JeffersonBurr and Jefferson73 electoral votes 73 electoral votes eacheachBy Constitution:By Constitution:House of Reps.House of Reps.Each state 1 voteEach state 1 voteNeeded 9 states Needed 9 states to win (16 states)to win (16 states)

Election of 1800Election of 180035 ballots: 35 ballots: Jefferson: 8; Burr: 6; no result: 2Jefferson: 8; Burr: 6; no result: 23636thth ballot: ballot:Jefferson: 10; Burr: 4; no result: 2 Jefferson: 10; Burr: 4; no result: 2 Hamilton helped persuade certain Hamilton helped persuade certain delegates to change votes delegates to change votes because because he believed Burr was too he believed Burr was too unreliable unreliable