From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

1. From the Constitutional Convention to Washington’s Farewell Address (1787-1797

3. What inference can you make regarding the long-range political influence of the South in Congress? Granted the South disproportional representation in the House of Representatives. In the 1790s 40% of all voters were in the South 47% of seats in Congress were Southern By 1820 30% of all voters were in the South 36% of seats in Congress were Southern

4. The Compromise over Slavery • Other Provisions: • Guaranteed that slaves could be imported for 20 years, until 1808. • Congress reserved the right to tax slave imports $10 per head. • Agreement to return runaway slaves.

5. The Compromise over Trade • The Northern states wanted the new central government to • regulate interstate and foreign trade. • The South feared that if imports were taxed, so would exports. • The North agreed to no export taxes in exchange for the power • of the central government to regulate interstate & foreign trade. This will all work out. Trust me.

6. The Executive Branch How was the Electoral College system to work? Why did the Founding Fathers create the Electoral College? • Each state would have • electors that would vote. • Candidate’s receiving a simple • majority of the state vote got • the electoral votes. • Electoral votes = # in the • House of Reps + 2 senators. • Candidate with the most • votes becomes president. • Second place became Vice • President. • Many Founding Fathers feared the passions & excesses of the masses. • The Electoral College was to serve as a buffer between the executive and the masses. What powers of the new executive might have concerned some Americans? • No term limits • Commander-in-Chief of military

7. The Judicial Branch Important agreements: • Judges should independent of politics. • Nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. • No election = less political influence. • Serve for life during good behavior. John Jay, First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court

8. The final draft of the Constitution was approved on September 17, 1787. • Constitution was sent to New York City for approval by the Confederation • Congress. • Without a formal approval, the Congress referred the Constitution to state • ratification conventions. (Why not to the state legislatures?) • To become the law of the land, nine out of thirteen states had to ratify the • Constitution. • Supporters of the Constitution became known as Federalists. Opponents were • called Anti-Federalists.

9. The Anti-Federalist Argument Anti-Federalist believed… • Republicanism was based on a strong legislature – not Executive • A distant government in a large republic could never protect the rights of the people • Traditional state power was being sacrificed for a strong central govt. • The new Executive Branch was too powerful: • making the executive Commander-In-Chief was dangerous • maintaining a standing army during peace time was an invitation for tyranny • insisted that there be a Bill of Rights Patrick Henry argues against the Constitution in the Virginia House of Burgesses.

10. The Federalist Argument The Federalist’s Position: • State governments would not support the new Constitution • to sell the Constitution in New York, they would have to make a convincing case – The Federalist Papers • Three arguments: • Cannot rely upon the civic virtue of the people, leaders in a republic must rise above selfish pursuits. • Constitution imbedded with separation of powers and checks & balances.

11. The Federalist Argument • Representation at 3 levels would protect people’s rights: First: The legislative branch, the house of Reps would protect basic rights, while the Senate would protect state rights. Second: The executive branch would protect national interests. Third: The judicial branch, the Supreme Court, would protect people’s fundamental interests. In the end, the Federalists agreed to a Bill of Rights to ensure ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

12. What were the arguments for and against a Bill of Rights? Why did the Federalists win?

13. The 1st US Congress • First convened in 1789, the First Congress focused on the following: • adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution. • establishing the executive departments within the executive branch: state, • treasury & war. • passed the Judiciary Act, which established the Supreme Court and Federal Court • system. John Jay will serve as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. • passed the Tariff Act of 1789, which imposed a 5% duty on all imports.

14. The Washington Administration See the textbook and Harper’s lecture notes for information regarding Washington’s Administration.

15. Hamilton’s Financial Plan Keys to understanding Hamilton: • Very pro-business • Nation would not prosper until the wealthiest Americans linked their financial interests to the nation’s financial progress. • Obsessive about order & stability, feared democracy = mob rule. • Favored a “loose” interpretation of the Constitution, which allowed the govt to make all laws “necessary and proper.” • Very much an Anglophile and looked to Britain as a model.

16. Hamilton’s Financial Plan Report on the Public Credit: • Pay off the debt on generous terms. • Federal Govt to assume state debts. • Create a permanently funded debt by selling govt securities (loans) with 4% annual interest payments. • Hoped that wealthy Americans and foreign investors would buy securities and thus have a vested interest in the economic well being of the nation. *To gain passage of his economic policies, Hamilton compromises with Jefferson & Madison over the location of the future permanent capital, which will be on the banks of the Potomac River in Virginia & Maryland.

17. Hamilton’s Financial Plan Report on the Public Credit: • High import tariffs are levied, to protect fledging US industries. Challenged by the Madison & Southerners who feared European retaliation against US exports. • Chartering of a National Bank to serve as an instrument of fiscal efficiency, economic regulation, and money creation. Report on Manufactures: • Called for additional import duties • Creation of an excise or “sin” tax • The rapid sale of western lands. (Raise revenue) • Federal stimulus for domestic industrial production via subsidies & tax breaks.

18. Foreign Affairs European conflicts between 1789-1815, will challenge the first four American presidents. The French Revolution The Napoleonic Wars How did foreign affairs contribute to growing political partisanship? What did Washington do?

19. The Jay Treaty • The British refused to abandon their posts along the frontier until debts were addressed. • British closed ports to US ships. • After war broke out between Britain and France in 1793, the British began to seize US ships bound for France. Jay’s negotiations with the British produced: No US commercial retaliation for 10 years in exchange for British • Leave their forts on the frontier • Arbitration for Loyalist claims, prewar debts, border disputes, and ship seizures • Agreement to reopen Caribbean ports *No compensation for lost slaves. Very unpopular with the Jefferson’s faction, seen as a capitulation to Britain.

20. Pinckney’s Treaty & Native Americans Pinckney’s Treaty: See Harper’s lecture notes. The Battle of Fallen Timbers: See Harper’s lecture notes.

21. The Whiskey Rebellion Political Fallout: • Washington’s involvement severely damaged his reputation & legacy. • Anti-Federalist, now Democratic-Republicans under Jefferson, exploited for political gain. *See lecture notes. See Harper’s lecture notes and your textbook for specifics.

23. Washington’s Farwell Address GW warns Americans: • Not to become involved in European affairs. • Against entering into permanent alliances. • To avoid forming political parties. • To avoid regional sectionalism.