Chapter 7 & 8More Perfect Union

The Federalist Era

Articles of ConfederationMay 1776, Congress asked state to

organize their gov’ts and adopt a state constitution

Many states established bicameral legislaturesWanted to limit state powers Keep power in hands of people

Articles of ConfederationAmericans agreed country should

be a republicCould not agree on organization

and powersFavored a weak central

government

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation adopted in

Nov. 17772nd Continental Congress1st Constitution – new central gov’tA firm league of friendship

Articles of ConfederationCongress had authority:

Conduct foreign affairs Maintain armed forces Borrow money Issue currency

Congress could not Regulate trade Force citizens to join army Impose taxes No chief executive

TroubleArticles did not provide a gov’t strong enough

to handle the problems facing the United States Especially money, imported taxes, slavery

TroubleDemand for change

The Constitutional ConventionMay 1787Sessions not open to publicEvery state had one vote on

questionsGeorge Washington led meeting

Constitutional ConventionConvention

Virginia Plan – strong central gov’tPlan called for a two-house

legislature, a chief executive chosen by the legislature, and a court system

New Jersey Plan One-house legislature, with one vote

for each state. Congress – could set taxes and regulate trade

Constitutional ConventionGreat Compromise

Compromise between two proposed plans2-house legislature, House of

Representatives and SenateThree-Fifths Compromise

Every five enslaved persons would equal three free persons

Sept 17, 1787 – Constitution approved

ConstitutionConstitution created a federal system

Sharing power between federal and state governments

Supreme Law of the Land3 branches

Legislature branch – law makingExecutive branch – carry out lawsJudicial branch – court system

ConstitutionChecks and Balances

Each branch has ways to limit the power of the others so no single branch and dominate the government

May 1790 – Constitution was finally ratified by all states

PresidentApril 30, 1789 – George Washington took

the oath of office as the 1st President of the U.S.

Dec. 1791 – Bill of Rights added to ConstitutionLimited powers of gov’t to protect peoples

rightsFederal court system, economy (debt),

banks, tariffs, and taxesNew capital created in Washington, D.C.

Politicsmid-1790s – two distinct political parties

formedFederalists – favored strong federal gov’tDemocratic-Republicans – favored limited

gov’t powerSome differences between Federalists and

Republicans was 1) the basis of gov’t power and 2) about the role of ordinary people in gov’t

PoliticsFederalists supported representative gov’t

Did not believe it was wise to let public become too involved in politics

Republicans feared a strong central gov’t Believed that democracy and liberty

would be safe only if ordinary people participated fully in gov’t

ElectionsElection of 1796

1st time two candidates sought office from rival political parties

Held caucuses – meeting to chose their parties candidates

Federalists chose John AdamsRepublicans chose Thomas Jefferson

Adams – 71 electoral votesJefferson – 68 electoral votes

PresidencyAdams would inherent the dispute with

FranceAdams sent delegates to Paris to

resolve issues but the prime minister refused to see them and sent three agents out who demand a loan and bribe from the Americans

Became known as the XYZ Affair