Setting the Stage

By the Late 1780’s

Americans dissatisfied with confederate government
Failed to handle economic problems effectively
Americans recognized that they needed a strong national government
New government created in 1787 one of the most stable and successful in the world
Framing a New government
Advocates of Centralization
Delegates of the confederation often did not attend meetings, and had to flee angry
soldiers and others
At first confederation was liked because it kept power in the states hands
By 1780’s upper classes began demanding a more powerful central government to deal
with the nations issues
George Washington stepped in to block a political struggle that may have resulted
in a coup
Merchants and manufacturers wanted more unified policies across the states
Wealthy wanted states to stop issuing money to combat inflation
By 1786 most believed that the confederation was a failure
Alexander Hamilton
Political genius and star of a musical
Lead the opposition of the Articles of Confederation from the beginning
Wanted strong national government
Wanted a national convention to make a new document
Found an ally in James Madison
Only five delegates attended, but agreed to have all states convene next year
After new of shays rebellion spread, Washington gave his support to the congress,
giving it validity
A Divided Convention
Most founding fathers were younger, with only Ben Franklin being older
All states except Rhode Island were represented
Most were well educated and participated in the revolution
Washington was chosen unanimously to be in charge
Virginia had the most experienced and prepared delegation
Virginia Plan
Called for the creation of a central government
Created the system of a bicameral house
Gave more power to the more populous states
Brought immediate opposition from smaller states
Delegates realized that they would need to consider smaller states to ever reach an
agreement
Small States vs Larger States
Would small states be equally represented in the upper house?
Would slaves be counted in the population
No one seriously argued for giving slaves rights
Compromise
After weeks of bickering, convention almost collapsed, but Franklin convinced the
members to stay and create a new document
Agreed to create a grand committee to solve disagreements
This committee lead to the great compromise, which resolved the issue of
representation
Slaves counted as ⅗
Lower house based on population, upper house equally represented
Settled issues of taxes and tariffs on slaves, in favor of the south
Those opposed to slavery took it as necessary to pass the constitution
Left many issues like citizenship and individual rights out that could not be
agreed upon
The Constitution of 1787
James Madison Was The most important in its creation
Was crucial in the resolution of the questions of sovereignty and limiting power
The Question of Sovereignty
Basis of the revolution
Madison and others decided that the people held true sovereignty
The new government derives its power from the people, not the states
Split power between states and national government
NAtional government had supreme law, but was limited in the areas of influence
Separation of Powers
Madison argued that because a larger government would have so many factions that no
one group could take power
Constitution created system of checks and balances
Ex. powers of veto, house and senate agreement, judiciary immunity
Feared tyranny of the people
Only the house would be chosen directly like the people
The Limits of the Constitution
Only created a republic for white people, predominantly men.
Treaties with the natives were rarely followed
Slaves were given virtually no rights or protection
Few founding fathers gave their slaves any thought, with Washington being an
exception for freeing his slaves after his death
Federalists and Antifederalists
Many delegates feared that by creating a new document instead of modifying the
articles of confederation like they were tasked with doing would mean that the
constitution would never be passed
Old congress accepted the changes, all states except Rhode Island agreed to the
constitution.
Supporters had a number of advantages
Clever branding to gain support of the people
Many political philosophers to back their policies
Anti Federalists argued that they stood for the true principles of the revolution
Complained that the constitution lacked a bill of rights
Debating the Constitution
Battle of two fears, fear of anarchy, and a fear of totalitarianism
Eventually all states agreed and ratified the constitution, although the more
populous states had much narrower margins of support
Completing the Structure
First congress served as a continuation of constitutional convention as many issues
still had to be resolved.
Congress would pass the first 12 amendments, 10 of which would be ratified
COngress would also have to flesh out the court system
Created the presidential cabinet
Federalists and Republicans
Hamilton and the Federalists
For 12 year power remained in the hands of the federalists
Largely because of Washington's support and his prestige
Alexander Hamilton exerted the most influence as Washington wouldn't be involved in
political controversies
Hamilton Was one of the most aristocratic leaders
Believed that the government needed an enlightened ruling class
Also wanted to create a national bank
Proposed taxes on alcohol and imports
Designed to make american manufacturing more competitive
Federalists offered a vision of what the nation could be
Enacting the Federalist program
Few opposed Hamilton's plan for funding the national debt
Many opposed his plan to accept the debt at par
Many alos opposed the plan to assume the states debt inot the national debt
Reached a compromise by moving the capitol further south from Philadelphia
House and Senate eventually agreed to a national bank
Washington showed some concern over its legality, but eventually signed it
The Republican Opposition
Most founding fathers believed that organized parties were dangerous
Beloved conflicts would not lead to lasting political parties
Federalists created their party to reward supporters and allies
In response the Republican party
They would eventually push partisanship even further
Neither group recognized the other groups right to exist
Jefferson as a leader of the Republican party would emphasize focus on an agrarian
society
Federalists were centered in cities an urban areas
Republicans more popular in rural south west
Establishing National Sovereignty
Securing the Frontier
Confederation largely failed to unit western farmers with the nation
Uprisings in Pennsylvania over whiskey tax, quickly collapsed
Native Americans and the New Nation
Little was mentioned about the tribes in the constitution, put them in a sort of
grey area
No clear rights on a nation within a nation
Maintaining Neutrality
America had trouble getting diplomatic relations with Britain, required trade
threats
America maintained neutrality when the new French Government went to war with GB
Edmond Genet came to America as a diplomat, and by ignoring Washington and the
government almost lead to war
GB began seizing US ships to tje French Indies, causing outrage
Canadian governor urged tribes to fight America
Hamilton was worried as war would result in the loss of English imports that
sustained his aristocratic class
Jay's Treaty and Pinckney’s treaty
Diplomat was sent to get reparations for the lost ships
John Jay failed to meet the goals, but worked a favorable trade deal
The treaty was widely unpopular but still passed.
Pinckney's treaty gained all the demands from the Spanish
Downfall of the Federalists
Election of 1796
George washington insisted on stepping down after 2 terms,
Without Washington the Federalist party lost its main moderator, and bridge to the
other party
Federalists remained dominant party
John Adams would win the presidency
He was a talented diplomat, but not a politician
Hamilton remained the dominant figure
The Quasi War With France
Although relations with England and Spain improved, they worsened with
Revolutionary France
Started to attack American Ships
American Diplomat not even received
After hearing of this and demands of bribes, Adams had the country prepare for war
Congress cut off all trade
American Navy captured French vessels
French conciliated before conflict got out of hand
Repression and Protest
COnflict with france helped Federalists increase their majority
Created new laws to make it harder for new citizens and to prosecute Republicans
for speaking out
Adams singed the laws but barely implemented the,
Republicans argued that they acted out of their power and sought for the laws to be
nullified
Lead to the political crisis being nationwide
Lead to many violent fights in Congress
The Revolution of 1800
Supporters showed no dignity in the presidential election that year
Basically like what it's like now
Jefferson won, but tied with Burr in a mistake of the voting’
Jefferson would eventually win after a vote in the house
Federalists secured the courts in the last months of office