SHAPING A

NEW NATION

From a Confederation to Republican Democracy

The United States of America…Now what?

What problems did the new nation face?

Key Question: How much power should the national government have?

Democracy or Republic

Adam Smith: Virtuous Self-Interest

Scottish philosopher and economist (1723-1790) The Wealth of Nations Pursuing your interest benefits everybody.

Did Smith’s idea influence America? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulyVXa-u4wE It is not from the

benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.

Articles of Confederation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO7FQsCcbD8

What were Americans afraid of?

First governing document One state, one vote Limited national gov’t No executive branch “firm league of friendship” John Hanson of

Maryland served as the president of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation.

What to do with Western Lands?

Many states had claims Given over to the national gov’tNorthwest Ordinance 1787 Procedure for dividing land Requirements for statehood

Borrowers v. Lenders Lenders (wealthy) want high taxes and hard

currency. Why?

Borrowers (poor) want low taxes and soft currency. Why?

Foreign-Relations Problems Britain refused to evacuate forts

Spain closed Mississippi River to American farmers

Congress too weak to settle

Weaknesses of the Articles Overrepresentation of

small states (GA v. MA) Passing anything

requires 9 votes Amending requires 13

votes $190 million war debt –

no power to tax

Shay’s Rebellion: “PANIC!!!!!” Mass. debt-ridden farmers take up arms Militia called out to put down Why does Shay’s Rebellion “sound the alarm”?

Fixing the Articles Philadelphia (1787) 55 delegates from 12 states meet Lawyers, merchants, planters Wealthy and educated; 30s-40s By 5th day, throw out the articles

Key Conflicts Big States v. Small States

North v. South

Virginia PlanJames Madison

Bicameral legislature

Representation based on population

New Jersey PlanWilliam PatersonUnicameral legislatureOne state = one vote

Connecticut Compromise Roger Sherman Bicameral Upper House

(Senate): equal representation

Lower House (House): based on population

State Legislatures elect the Senate

Who counts as people? Why does the South want their slaves counted as

people?

Why does the North not want Southern slaves to be counted as people?

Three-Fifths Compromise 3/5 of a state’s slaves counted as population for

representation and taxes

Congress given power to regulate trade Can’t touch the slave trade for 20 years

The New GovernmentFederalism Divided power between national and state

governmentsSeparation of Powers National power split among three branchesChecks and Balances Each branch has the power to check the others

The Three BranchesLegislative Branch Closest to the people Makes laws

Executive Branch Carry out the laws

Judicial Branch Interpret the law Judicial review

Electing the President Voters don’t elect directly Independent electors (best and brightest) Why not the voters?

Why not Congress?

System overhaul by 1803

How important was George Washington? How do those assembled view him? How do the people react to him? What was his impact on the Constitution? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgCQDZdlMdc

Who are the Federalists? Supporters of new Constitution Wealthy, landed, merchants, Strong gov’t can regulate trade GW, Madison, Hamilton

Who are the Anti-Federalists? Skeptical of new

Constitution Fearful of strong,

central gov’t Rural, farmers, anti-

tax Large states Patrick Henry Sam Adams Richard Henry Lee

Federalist Papers 85 essays Written to convince NY to ratify Hamilton, Madison, Jay (Publius) Separation of power; limits on majorities

Bill of Rights Who demands this?

Why don’t Federalists think it’s necessary?

First 10 Amendments – Added by 1791 What rights are protected?

Ratification Need 9 states Delaware first (Dec. 1787) “ratified” by New Hampshire Why is Virginia & New York so important?

New gov’t starts 1789

The Constitution – A Primer LEJSASR 27 Amendments Blueprint for gov’t Flexible Is the Constitution a “living document”?