Unit 2: A New Nation
Establishing a Government Articles of Confederation Nation s first set of laws Limited central gov. Confederation would have more power Ratified in 1781, failed b/c it did not give enough power to fed. Gov. For any law passed by Congress to be final: 9/13 states had to agree Rare
Establishing a Government Articles of Confederation (cont.) Congress had to ask states for $, couldn t raise taxes Impossible to create a national military Following the war, US experienced an economic crisis Depression, currency was very low, $ was scarce, falling farm prices meant ppl. Couldn t pay off loans
Establishing a Government Shays Rebellion Daniel Shay led a rebellion due to Mass. Taxes despite the depression No national military to put down rebellion, Mass. Had to deal with it on their own. Showed the states that Articles needed to be revised
Constitutional Convention US Constitution created in 1787 Convention was meant to revise Articles, instead they scrapped the document and started over Not perfect... Great Compromise Randolph and James Madison of VA introduced the VA Plan: Fed. Gov. made up of 3 branches 2 houses made up of representatives based off of population NJ Plan: 3 branches but one house and each state got one vote CT Compromise/Great Compromise: 3 branches Senate: 2 seats House of Representatives: based off of state population
Constitutional Convention Three-Fifths Compromise Issue with population when it came to slaves How would they be counted?
Constitutional Convention Slave Trade Compromise Northerners who opposed slavery agreed to allow it to continue for 20 years After, Congress would impose regulation Bill of Rights First 10 amendments
Constitutional Convention Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Feds: strong central gov, supported the Constitution Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay Loose interpretation Federalist Papers Won the most support Anti: opposed and wanted stronger state gov. Thomas Jefferson Strict interpretation
Political Conflicts Hamilton s Economic Plan Lots of debt, value of currency was low Proposed that fed. Gov. take on state debts that were due to the war Raise revenue and strengthen economy by: establishing an excise tax on whiskey and imports (tariffs), Start a national bank
Political Conflicts Thomas Jefferson went against Hamilton s plan Gov. had to follow what was strictly written in Constitution Hamilton argued that the necessary and proper clause of the Constitution gave the government the right to charter a bank.
Political Conflicts Southerners opposed Hamilton s plan due to tariffs and didn t want to pay for other states debts. Whiskey tax unpopular in PA, MD, VA, NC Whiskey Rebellion (1794) Won t pay tax, rebelled violently President Washington sent military force People felt like fed. Gov. was too strong
Political Parties Emerge Washington's farewell speech: US should stay neutral, no alliances Gov. should be based off of religion and morality Political parties were dangerous Federalist Party: strong national gov, upper classes should have the power, business over agriculture. Hamilton Democratic-Republicans: stronger state gov., favor interests of small farmers and debtors Thomas Jefferson
Political Party Issues Fear of getting entangled in foreign wars, as well as foreign wars influencing Americans causing more rebellion Naturalization Act Alien Act Sedition Act Voting restrictions
Political Party Issues VA and KY Resolutions If a state believed a federal law to be unconstitutional, did not have to obey or enforce it Doctrine of Nullification
Sections of the Constitution Preamble and Article I Preamble: first sentence First article: established the legislative branch and it s roles Article II Established the executive branch Impeachment Electoral College Article III Established the judicial branch Articles are followed by 27 amendments
Sections of the Constitution Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments 1 st : PRAPS 2 nd : Right to bear arms 3 rd : restricts quartering of troops 4 th : protects against unreasonable search and seizure 5 th : cannot be imprisoned/deprived of property without due process 6 th : Rights of accused 7 th : Trial by jury for civil cases 8 th : Rights for those found guilty of a crime 9 th : More rights exist besides these listed 10 th : anything not specifically listed becomes a state power