Chapter 1 & 2 What got us here?. Review of American Revolution Question Handout

Chapter 1 & 2

What got us here?

Review of American Revolution

• As states were developing their own constitutions, the delegates as the Continental Convention had to begin the process of developing a federal constitution.

• Questions delegates had to consider:– How would representation be determined?

• By population or state (equal)?

– Who has power?• Is the federal gov’t to be supreme or the state

governments?

– Who gets control of western lands?

• States were independent units– Equal as a unit, but unequal in land size, wealth, and

population

• Do the delegates represent the people or the states?

• Should each state elect the same # of representatives regardless of population?

• Should states with large populations have more representatives than small states?

The decision: Each state would have one vote regardless of population!

Does this decision last?Ultimately, NO! They have to change it to please the large

states!

• Without supreme power—a gov’t could not function.

• The solution: The Articles of Confederation (Nov. 1777)– Which called for the

sharing of powers.

• State and federal gov’t shared powers

• State was supreme in some matters, federal gov’t in others.

• Confederation—alliance

• Declare war• Make peace• Sign treaties• Borrow money• Set standards for coins• Establish postal service• Deal with Native Americans

Top 3 were most important

• No separate EXECUTIVE branch to enforce the acts of Congress.

• No national COURT SYSTEM to decide the meaning of the laws.

• WE ONLY HAD A LEGISLATIVE BRANCH UNDER THE ARTICLES!!!!!

• Some states had claim to western lands because of their original charters.

• While others were now making demands for partial claim to lands west of the Appalachian Mtns. – B/c of fear that states who already had claims

might grow and overpower smaller states.– 1781—all states gave up claims to western

lands in order for the Articles to go into effect.

Western Lands

• What do they do with them?• Land Ordinance of 1785: called for

surveying of land in Ohio River Valley

Northwest Ordinance

• Northwest Ordinance of 1787: land would be divided into no less than 3 nor more than five territories. Townships would be 6x6 miles.

• Set up requirements for new state admission:1. Congress would appoint a territorial governor and

judges2. Territory must have 5,000 voting residents

• Allowing settlers to write a temporary constitution and elect their own gov’t.

3. Upon reach 60,000 settlers the area could write a state constitution to submit to Congress for approval of statehood.

• Rights—freedom of religion, property rights, and the right to trial by jury

• NO slavery in the territory

Northwest Ordinance

• Lacked national unity• States pursued their own interest• Confederation did not acknowledge

the power of the people, b/c everything was considered equal by state.– GA (25K ppl)==MA (270K ppl)

• Couldn’t change w/o state approval

• DEBT!– Revolutionary War had cost the nation

$160 million.– Lacking the power to tax, Congress

requested the states’ approval to impose a tariff.• States rejected, they argued that the

Confederation Congress had no control over trade.

• Debts to the British could be collected in American courts – Problem: Congress could not force states to

follow this

• Congress pledge to return property that had been seized from Loyalist during the war – Problem: Congress could not compel the states

to do this

• Because Congress could not regulate trade or collect taxes, there was little they could do to force the British out

• Foreign relations:– Spain controlled the Mississippi River &

closed it to American navigation.– Western farmers could not get crops to

market.

Review of weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation

1. Congress could not tax2. Congress could not regulate trade3. Each state received one vote, regardless

of population4. 9/13 states needed to pass new laws5. Articles could only be amended with

approval of all states6. No executive7. No judicial8. No national unity

• Started when the government of Massachusetts decided to raise taxes instead of issuing paper money to pay off its debts.

• Farmers were most affected, and often lost their farms

• Farmers decided to rebel—they closed down several county courthouses to prevent farm foreclosures, and then marched to the state Supreme Court

• Daniel Shays—a former captain in the Continental Army emerged as one of the rebellion’s leaders.

• Shays and about 1200 farmers headed to the state arsenal intending to seize weapons before marching on Boston, troops were ordered, before they could arrive, Shays and farmers had attacked the local militia

• Four farmers died, next day troops arrive and the rebellion is ended

Call for change

• Rebellion and inflation were viewed as signs of a republic at risk

• Fear was that poor people would gain control with a democratic government, therefore, merchants, artisans, and creditors began to argue for a stronger central government

• People who supported a strong central government were called “nationalist”– Nationalist include: G. Washington, John

Adams, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison & Robert Morris

• James Madison: member of the VA Assembly and head of its commerce committee, believed a stronger national government was greatly needed

• Madison called for a meeting to discuss taxation and trade

• Discussed the weaknesses of the Articles

• Alexander Hamilton called for a future meeting of delegates in Philadelphia in May 1787– Every state except for RI sent a delegate

to Constitutional Convention

• 55 delegates, majority were lawyers, some planters and merchants– Had previous experience in colonial,

state of national government– 39 had been members of the

Confederation Congress – 8 signed the Dec. of Independence

• Chose G. Washington as presiding officer

• Meetings were closed to the public as a means of insuring “honest and open discussions”

• Notable delegates also included: Franklin, Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, and James Madison

• VA delegates came to the Convention with their own plan, which proposed “A nation government ought to be established consisting of a supreme Legislative, Executive, and Judicial” body.

• 2 house legislature, representatives reflect states population

• Would benefit large states, because # representatives was reflective of state population

• Delegates accepted the idea for 3 branches of government

• Smaller states opposed the changes that would decrease their power, due to lack of representatives

• Smaller states, therefore, proposed their own plan—the New Jersey Plan

• Did not abandon the Articles of Confederation

• Modified them to make a stronger central government

• Single house in which each state was equally represented

• Federal government would also be given the right to raise taxes and regulate trade

• Delegates voted to proceed with Virginia Plan

• Decided to go beyond simply modifying the Articles, and moved to develop a new constitution

How would they develop a new Constitution?

• Big states wanted to remain powerful• Little states wanted protection from

larger more powerful states• Northern states and Southern states

were divided as to how to go about treating slavery

• A compromise had to be developed

• Smaller states were angered by the decision to move along with the VA plan

• Delegates threatened to walk out of the Constitutional Convention in Philly

• Pointed out that the Convention could not last forever

• Decision to compromise over the issues of representation became known as the Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise

• Ben Franklin proposed that state representatives in the House would depend on the states population

• In the Senate there would be equal representation

• Voters would elect the House, but state legislatures would elect senators

• Disagreement over counting slaves. Southern states wanted them counted, Northern states did not

• 3/5 Compromise reached, in which slaves would count as 3/5 of a person (every 5 slaves therefore counted as 3 persons)

Fearful Farmers

• Farmers feared that more restrictions were to come

• Fears importation of slaves would be banned

• Southern states argued that Congress did not have the power under the new constitution to restrict trade

• Draft version of the Constitution was sent to Confederation Congress for approval

• Nine of the thirteen states had to ratify in order for it to take effect

• Created the principle of popular sovereignty—ruled by the people

• Constitution also created the concept of federalism—government was divided between the federal and state governments

New Government

• Separation of powers• Legislature, executive, judicial• Checks and balances• Presidential veto• Impeachment• Amendments

• What were some of the problems with the Articles of Confederation? What was the solution to the problems?

• Who benefited from the VA plan, the NJ plan?

• What were the important aspects of the Connecticut Compromise, aka Great Comp.?

• Federalists—supported Constitution– Wanted strong central gov’t; promoted

taxation and trade, opposed tariffs and duties

• Anti-federalist—opposed it– Wanted states to have equal control,

tended to be lower to middle class people who could easily subside

– Included: John Hancock, Patrick Henry, and various state governors

Federalist Papers

Patrick Henry—

Anti-federalist

• Arguments in favor of the ratification of the Constitution

• Written by James Madison, Alex. Hamilton, and John Jay

• Helped to explain the Constitution and the laws that derive from it

• Certain states were ready to accept the Constitution, while others called for the creation of a Bill of Rights.

• 9 out of 13 states had to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect

• By 1788 all states except NC and RI had ratified, they were only waiting for a Bill of Rights.

Government

• Washington sought to create various cabinet offices. Cabinet—a group of advisers to the president.

• Judiciary Act of 1789—established 13 district courts, 3 courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court.

• First 10 amendments to the Constitution.

• Demanded by the Anti-federalists before they agreed to ratification.

• Tariff—required importers to pay a percentage of the value of their cargo before the cargo could proceed into the US.

• Harmed southern farmers!!!

Hamilton and Finances

• Bonds—notes promising repayment of borrowed money with interest.

• Hamilton felt the government needed to be able to borrow money in order to function.

• Some argued that bonds harmed farmers, because they would not be paid back at value.

• Speculators—people willing to take a risk in hopes of a future financial gain.

Bank of the United States

• Source of constant conflict!!!• Madison argued against a Bank

saying it was not a enumerated power—power mentioned in the Constitution.

• Hamilton argued it was possible, because it was a implied power—powers not mentioned, but implied as “necessary and proper.”

Bank of the United States

• Bank was created for 20 years, after Washington signed the creation into law.

• Whiskey Rebellion was the result of a tax on whiskey, which prompted farmers to terrorize tax collectors…and destroy stills of those who paid the taxes.

Hamilton and Jefferson

• Review chart on page 214

Group Assignment

• Complete the quote assignment • Gather into groups, review the

assignment.• Read the quotes, keep the chart on

p. 214 in mind. • RECORD WHO YOU THINK MADE

THE QUOTE.

Washington & Foreign Politics

• French Revolution in 1789• American sympathizers, until radicals

seized government• Radicals declared war on Britain leaving

American leaders in the middle• Federalist opposed it, Republicans

supported the fight for liberty• Proclamation of Neutrality: the US would

be “friendly and impartial” toward Britain and France

• American ships were being intercepted at French ports by the British

• British were also inciting Native American attacks on western settlers

• Washington sent John Jay to Britain in an attempt to find a solution

• Trade would be harmed if war erupted again

• British agreed to sign a treaty– Britain had the right to seize goods bound for

French ports– Americans would not get compensated– Britain agreed to international arbitration by a

neutral country– Most-favored nation status: American merchants

would not be discriminated against when they traded with Britain.

– Republicans were angered by treaty and accused Federalists of being pro-British.

– Treaty prevented WAR w/ GB.

• Jay’s Treaty also helped the US win concessions from Spain

• Spanish and French were fearful that the British and Americans were going to attempt to seize Spain’s holdings in North America

• Washington sent Thomas Pinckney to negotiate with Spain.

• 1795—Spanish signed the Treaty of San Lorenzo—also known as Pinckney’s Treaty– Granted US the right to navigate the

Mississippi and deposit goods at in New Orleans

– Was greatly approved—especially by farmers who could get their goods to the market faster

Westward Expansion

• Mississippi River area—fastest growing– Abundant land, fertile soil, wide rivers, wide

variety of fish and game

• Increased western settlement led to numerous conflicts with Native Americans– Example: “Little Turtle” and other Indian

leaders sought to form an alliance to protect against invasions against settlers

Westward Movement

Westward Movement

Crossing the Plains

Future Maps of the West

Native American defenses

• Fall 1790—Little warriors defeated American troops led by Gen. Josiah Harmar

• Nov. 1791—ambushed American forces led by Gen. Arthur St. Clair, killing nearly half his men.

• Anthony Wayne was sent to put down Native American resistance. Native Americans attacked at Battle of Fallen Timbers. Natives suffered heavy losses.

• 12 Native American nations signed the Treaty of Greenville.– Agreed to give up part of what is today

southern Ohio and Indiana in exchange for a yearly payment of $10,000 from the federal government

– Settlement into the region, by settlers, had greatly increased

Washington Leaves

• Decided to retire• Farewall Address—warned Americans

against sectionalism—to avoid dividing the country into North against South or East against West.

• Election of 1796—first openly contested election. Federalist nominated John Adams, Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams won 71 to 68 in electoral votes

John Adams

Quasi-War with France

• French were anger by Jay’s Treaty and began seizing goods from American merchant ships

• Adams did not want war. He sent Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, and John Marshall to negotiate with France

• French efforts to get bribes before beginning negotiations was known as the XYZ Affair

• Americans and the French were up and arms, and began an undeclared war at sea that came to be known as the Quasi War.

• September 1800—the two countries signed the Convention of 1800.

• US gave up all claims against France• Affected domestic politics in the US

Alien and Sedition Acts

• Federalist pushed four laws through Congress—became known as Alien and Sedition Acts

• First three laws were aimed at aliens—people living in the country who were not citizens

• Fourth law was aimed at preventing sedition—or incitement to rebellion

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

• Resolutions criticized Alien and Sedition Acts

• Resolutions argued that since the states had created the Constitution, they could declare federal laws unconstitutional

• VA Resolutions introduced the theory of interpositions

• Kentucky Resolutions advanced the theory of nullification

• States used these ideas in later decades to defend their regional interest

Election of 1800

• John Adams were up for reelection, Republicans had nominated Jefferson for president and Aaron Burr for VP.

• Problem was that Jefferson and Burr had received the same number of votes, finally Jefferson got the extra vote, because of promises to keep Federalist leaders in powerful positions

Election of 1800

• Turning point in history• Federalists controlled the army, the

presidency, and Congress • Demonstrated that power in the US

could be peacefully transferred despite strong disagreements between the parties.

Challenges facingWashington

British interference with shipping

French Revolution

Spain’s control of the Mississippi

Challenges facing Adams

XYZ Affair

French interference with shipping

Quasi-War

Launching a New Nation

Jefferson’s reign

Timeline

• 1801—Jefferson takes office• 1803 Marbury v. Madison case decided;

Louisiana Purchase expands nation• 1804 Lewis and Clark head west• 1807 Embargo Act• 1808 James Madison elected president• 1812—War with Britain• 1814 Treaty of Ghent ended the war

Jefferson Takes Office

• Finally won the election when Hamilton persuaded enough representatives to cast blank votes, giving Jefferson a two vote majority

• Hamilton did not favor Jefferson, but he agreed with his ideas more so than he did with Burr’s

• “Revolution of 1800”—Jefferson’s term for his victory in the Election of 1800

• Wanted to appeal more to the common man

Jefferson’s Beliefs

• Shrink and simplify gov’t• Reduced the size of military• Lowered expenses for government

social functions• Jefferson eliminated all internal taxes

& reduced the influence of the Bank of the US

Jefferson’s Beliefs

• Felt that free trade would benefit the US because the raw materials and food that Americans were producing were in short supply in Europe

Southern Dominance in Politics

• Jefferson was the first to take office in the new capital of Washington, D.C.

• Location reflected the influence of the South

• Federalists were unwilling to change their tactics, therefore giving the Republicans the backing of individuals in the South and western territories

Supreme Court decisions

• Federalists were still influencing the judicial branch greatly

• Adams had pushed through the Judiciary Act of 1801 which increased the # of federal judges by 16. Adams filled these positions, leaving the judges to be called midnight judges.

• Adams appointed John Marshall, who helped strengthen the power of the Supreme Court.

Marbury v. Madison

• Appointment of midnight judges led to the case• Marbury was to be appointed to the Court,

however Madison, a Republican never delivered the papers. He filed suit, however, John Marshall declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional.

• Marbury never received his commission. This was a small victory for the Republicans

• Case led to the creation of JUDICIAL REVIEW—ability of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional

Louisiana Purchase

• American were fearful that the French were going to develop a great presence in the region

• Jefferson sent James Monroe to join Robert Livingston in Paris. During negotiations with the French, Americans became aware of the fact that Napoleon’s hopes for advancement had diminished. In 1803, Napoleon offered up the entire Louisiana Territory to the United States.

Louisiana Purchase

• No time to consult, Monroe and Livingston accepted the offer at $15 million dollars.

• Senate approved the purchase treaty.• Territory included land in the western tributaries

of the Mississippi River basin• More than doubled the size of the US• Jefferson’s hopes of decentralizing the

government and simplifying the presidency had be lost

Louisiana Purchase

Lewis and Clark Expedition

• Explore the new territory• Appointed Meriwether Lewis to head

the expedition, Lewis chose Clark as the second in command

• Kept detailed records of journey• Aided by Sacajawea—Indian women

who served as a guide and interpreter• Expedition took 2 years and 4 months

Lewis and Clark

Lewis and Clark w/ Sacajewa

War of 1812 Erupts

Key Concepts

• Blockade: seal up ports and prevent ships from entering or leaving

• Impressment: the British practice of seizing Americans at sea and “impressing,” or drafting them into the British navy

• Embargo: a ban on exporting products to other countries– Believed the Embargo Act of 1807 would hurt Britain and

the other European powers and force them to honor American neutrality

Grievances Against Native Americans

• War Hawks—a group young congressmen who encouraged war—led by Clay and Calhoun

• Outraged by the presence of Native Americans in the Indiana Territory

• William Harrison got Indians to sign away 3 million acres of tribal land to the US government. A confederacy of Native American warriors, led by Tecumseh, began fighting against the encroachment of settlers

War of 1812

• Madison had achieve easy victory over Charles Pinckney– He believed that Britain was trying to

strangle American trade and cripple the American economy. Congress therefore approved the war declaration in June.

• American forced were ill prepared because of cut backs made by Jefferson

War in Canada and America

• Tecumseh was killed at the Battle of the Thames, and the confederacy collapsed.

• British were still able to cripple the Americans by seizing ships

• British burned the Capitol, White House, and other major buildings

Battle of New Orleans

• Andrew Jackson was to protect New Orleans from the British attack to come.

• As a result of the attack the British lost 100s

• Peace Treaty—Treaty of Ghent—declared an armistice—an end to fighting

• The first 25 year of government under the Constitution had successfully came to an end

Battle of New Orleans song