Chapter 5

The Federalist Era

I swear I read the textbook!

Please…No! Not the quiz! No,

Please!

Introduction

• Struggle to establish effective government

• Growing pains

• Finding a place among the nations

Border Problems

• British hold on western forts Fur trade Incitement of Indians Failure of states to comply with terms of

Treaty of Paris Wounded American pride

• Spain Florida and New Orleans Blockage of trade

Foreign Trade

• New trade with Asia

• Loss of markets in now-closed British mercantilist system

• Flood of low-priced British goods on US markets (dumping)

• Obstacles to tariffs Confederation lacked authority Laws required unanimity (Rhode Island)

Inflation

• Colonies always had problems with shortage of specie

• States sought to ease finances by printing more money and increasing taxes

• Farmers especially suffered under the policy

Shay’s Rebellion

• Massachusetts tried to stabilize currency by raising taxes

• Led to foreclosures and debtor prison

• Rebels forcibly prevented foreclosures – marched on capital

• Battle resulted in rout and collapse of rebellion

• Caused concerns throughout the states

Political Change?

• Articles of Confederation shown to be unworkable

• Fear of large government at expense of state power

• Failed Annapolis convention on commerce caused Alexander Hamilton to propose new convention and make changes to Confederation

The Great Convention

• The PlayersLawyers, patriots,

awareness of history

• The IdeasThe Classics, the

Enlightenment

• The PlaceNew World

• The TimeA new beginning

Agreements

• Federal system• A republic• Check on authority – divided government• Property rights• Right to levy taxes• Regulate commerce• Power to raise and maintain army and

navy

Agreements

• Right to summon state militias to enforce laws and suppress rebellion

• Right to mint money

• Right to impose tariffs

Disagreements

• Basis for representation The Virginia Plan – big states The New Jersey Plan – small states The Great Compromise

• House – representation based on population with members elected by popular vote

• Senate – each state assigned 2 seats w/members elected by state legislatures

Disagreements

• Slavery and representationOne-in-seven Americans were slaves North wanted slaves to count when assessing federal

taxes South wanted slave population to count towards

representation – though slaves could not vote

• Three-Fifths Compromise Three-fifths of slaves would count towards both

purposes Congress could not make slave trade illegal until

1808

The Constitution

• The House held power of the purse

• The Senate “advise and consent” – treaties and appointments

• Powerful presidency – Washington Commander-in-Chief Appoint judges Conduct foreign relations Veto rights

The Constitution

• Election – use of electors• National court system – judicial review?• Powerful central government but also

independent states• Checks and balances

Appointments – confirmation Treaties - ratifications Veto and veto override Impeachment – House / Senate Congress declares war – President controls

Ratifying the Constitution

• Constitution to go into effect after approval by nine states

• Rhode Island refused to convene convention to vote

• Federalists – those who favored the constitution

• Anti-Federalists – those who opposed ratification

Ratifying the Constitution

• Many feared a powerful central government

• Much opposition disappeared after introduction of first ten amendments (Bill of Rights)

• By 1788, nine states had ratified

• Only RI, NY, and NC still outside the union

Ratifying the Constitution

• New York still undecided. Anti-Federalists gaining strength

• Alexander Hamilton networked to get ratification – threatened NYC would secede from NY

• Joined Madison and others in writing essays arguing for ratification

The Federalist Papers

• Series of essays in public papers• “Publius” – Alexander Hamilton, John

Jay, and James Madison• Goal was to argue merits of the

Constitution and encourage ratification

• “Cato” and “Brutus” – George Mason, et al

• Anti-Federalists addressed concerns of public of power of federal state

Assignment

• Federalists versus Anti-FederalistsRead Anti-Federalist No. 6 and Federalist No.

69 (available on website)List the fears the Anti-Federalists had about a

strong presidency and what they suggested as alternatives

List the powers of the executive desired by the Federalists and their reasoning behind them

Ratifying the Constitution

• With Virginia ratifying, NY had no choice but to join union

• NC followed in 1789

• RI finally ratified in May 1790

Washington as President

• The first presidential election took place in January and February 1789

• Washington was elected unanimously (NY, NC, and RI did not cast votes)

• John Adams won vice-presidency with 34 electoral votes (each elector cast two votes; second highest vote elected VP)

• Washington much aware he was constantly setting precedent

Washington as President

• Washington was partisan neutral and would not endorse

one candidate over anotherDid not believe a president should push

legislationBegan custom of meeting with department

heads (cabinet)When picking cabinet he favored no particular

faction

Washington as President

Hamilton – Secretary of the TreasuryJefferson – Secretary of StateKnox - Secretary of WarRandolph – Attorney GeneralWashington called on advice from whoever he

wanted causing resentment and confusion between factions

Chapter Five Hunt

Quiz

• Why did the British refuse to leave the forts in the Ohio?

• How did the British impact the American economy after the Revolution?

• When the Annapolis Convention failed who called for a constitutional convention?

• Who led the farmer’s rebellion in Massachusetts?

Quiz

• Why was it so difficult to amend the Articles of Confederation?

• The model for the constitution was based on what ancient civilization?

• The Great Compromise decided this

• What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• Probably the most radical change was the creation of this in the Constitution

Quiz

• The President’s veto power is an example of this

• How did the Federalists help sway New York to ratify?

• Much opposition to ratification disappeared with the insertion of this

• How did Washington choose his cabinet?

Quiz

• What amendment guarantees state power?

• To secure approval for his plan to assume state debts, Hamilton promised this

• Who wanted to establish a national bank?

• How did the French and British treat American shipping following Washington’s proclamation of neutrality?

Quiz

• Who was the head of the Federalists? Republicans?

• What battle with the Indians opened up the Ohio to settlement?

• Who was voted in as Vice-President under Adams?

• The French demand for bribes to conduct negotiations was called this

Quiz

• These oppressive laws were passed by the Federalists in an attempt to suppress Republican opposition

• According to the Kentucky and Virginia Resolves who could declare federal laws unconstitutional?

• What was the Whiskey Rebellion? How did Washington respond?

Quiz

• What were the British and French reactions to American neutrality?

• Hamilton’s political maneuvering in favor of Pinckney resulted in his election as Vice-President