The First Congress Takes The First Congress Takes Action Action Among its first actions, Congress proposed a Among its first actions, Congress proposed a Bill of Bill of Rights Rights and sent it to the states for ratification. and sent it to the states for ratification. Anti-Federalists had demanded the addition of such Anti-Federalists had demanded the addition of such amendments as a condition of supporting the amendments as a condition of supporting the Constitution’s ratification. Constitution’s ratification. James Madison James Madison drafted the document and drew drafted the document and drew inspiration from George Mason’s inspiration from George Mason’s Virginia Declaration Virginia Declaration of Rights of Rights . . The first ten amendments were ratified on December The first ten amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791. 15, 1791. Congress also passed the Congress also passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 Judiciary Act of 1789 that that set up the federal courts system, including the set up the federal courts system, including the Supreme Court Supreme Court . .
Transcript
The First Congress Takes ActionThe First Congress Takes ActionAmong its first actions, Congress proposed a Among its first actions, Congress proposed a Bill of Rights Bill of Rights and sent and sent it to the states for ratification. Anti-Federalists had demanded the it to the states for ratification. Anti-Federalists had demanded the addition of such amendments as a condition of supporting the addition of such amendments as a condition of supporting the Constitution’s ratification.Constitution’s ratification.
James MadisonJames Madison drafted the document and drew inspiration from drafted the document and drew inspiration from George Mason’s George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of RightsVirginia Declaration of Rights..
The first ten amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791.The first ten amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791.
Congress also passed the Congress also passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 Judiciary Act of 1789 that set up the that set up the federal courts system, including the federal courts system, including the Supreme CourtSupreme Court..
The Bill of Rights (Amendments I-V)The Bill of Rights (Amendments I-V)I Freedom of Religion,
Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
The essential freedoms necessary for all citizens to express their views
II Right to Bear Arms Citizens have the right to defend themselves
III No Quartering of Troops in Private Homes in Peacetime
Standing military forces are a threat to freedom (memory of British troops?)
IV “Right to Privacy” –’ no unwarranted searches
Needed to protect property rights (memory of the writs?)
V Rights of the Accused Guaranteed by Due Process
Limits government’s power to take away freedom/property
The Bill of Rights (Amendments VI-X)The Bill of Rights (Amendments VI-X)VI Right to a Speedy &
Public Trial by JuryAims to guarantee justice for all citizens
VII Right to a Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
Applies fair trial standards to property cases
VIII No Cruel or Unusual Punishment
Fines and punishments should not violate basic human decency
IX “Rights” Not Limited by Those Spelled Out
Avoids limiting rights
X Powers Reserved to the States and People
Designed to limit national government power and preserve state’s rights
Washington’s First CabinetWashington’s First CabinetWashington created the first Washington created the first CabinetCabinet of executive officers: of executive officers:
Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson (Virginia) – handled foreign affairs and official government documents
Attorney General: Edmund Randolph (Virginia) – chief lawyer for the national government
Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton (New York) – managed the government’s finances
Secretary of War: Henry Knox (Massachusetts) – ran the military and managed Indian affairs
Hamilton vs. Jefferson Hamilton vs. Jefferson Even though Washington sought to maintain unity, a division Even though Washington sought to maintain unity, a division
emerged within his Cabinet between Hamilton and Jeffersonemerged within his Cabinet between Hamilton and Jefferson
These disagreements led to the creation of the nation’s first These disagreements led to the creation of the nation’s first two political parties – Federalists and Republicanstwo political parties – Federalists and Republicans
Hamilton and the Federalists
Jefferson and the Republicans
Views on PeopleViews on PeopleLeader/Party Hamilton (Federalists) Jefferson (Republicans)
View of People
*people are focused on their own self-interestand can’t be trusted
*only the wealthy and well-educated should be trusted with power
*people are generally good and can be trusted
*power in the hands of a few will lead to corruption in government
View of Leadership
*wealthy urban elites have the best interests of the country at heart and are better educated to make good decisions
*citizen-farmers are the “heart” of the nation and can make the best decisions if provided with good information
Views on GovernmentViews on GovernmentLeader/Party Hamilton (Federalists) Jefferson (Republicans)
View of Government
*strong centralized government can best defend natural rights
*state sovereignty leads to disunity/weakness
*strong centralized governments are dangerous
*states are best suited to protect the people’s rights
View of the Constitution
*liked the wide-ranging powers of government
*loose interpretation(liked the elastic clause)
*concerned it granted too much power
*strict interpretation(liked the 10th Amendment)
Views on Domestic PolicyViews on Domestic Policy
Leader/Party Hamilton (Federalists) Jefferson (Republicans)
Debt & Taxes *favored centralized management of national and state debts
*favored excise taxes and tariffs to raise revenue and protect American industry
*favored state management of debts and taxation
*distrusted the national government acquiring too much power over the economy and too much money
Central Bank *wanted a powerful bank to support government and business
*distrusted giving too much power to potentially corrupt wealthy elites
Views on Foreign PolicyViews on Foreign PolicyLeader/Party Hamilton (Federalists) Jefferson (Republicans)
French Revolution
Britain vs. France
*distrusted the radical French Revolution
*pro-British – wanted to model our system on the British system of strong government and banks
*supported the French Revolution
*pro-French – wanted to honor our alliance with France even if it meant war with Britain
Jay’s Treaty (1794)
*believed it was the best agreement possible and necessary to keep peace with Britain
*believed it was a “sell-out” to the British because we didn’t get all that we wanted
Hamilton’s Financial PlanHamilton’s Financial Plan
Revolutionary War DebtsRevolutionary War Debts
The United States had acquired about $54 million in debts from the Revolutionary War– $42 million to
American citizens– $12 million to
foreigners The states had $25
million more in war debts.
11stst Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of the Treasury
President Washington’s Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton proposed in his Report on Public Credit his plan to fix the economic crisis facing the young nation
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
Report on Public CreditReport on Public Credit Hamilton’s plan in this report
(1790) featured four major areas:1) Assumption of states’ war debts
by the federal govt.2) Redemption of bonds sold by
the govt. under the Articles of Confederation
3) Selling of new national securities to create a permanent national debt
4) Excise tax on whiskey
1 – Assumption of State 1 – Assumption of State DebtsDebts
Many southern states had repaid all of their debts
Most indebted states were in the North
Southerners claimed Hamilton was protecting Northern business interests at the expense of the South
Hamilton was able to sway Southerners to support this by promising the permanent capital would be located in the South
SITE OF THE FUTURE CAPITOL(Between Maryland and Virginia along the Potomac River)
2 – Redemption of Bonds2 – Redemption of Bonds During the war the government issued
bonds to people who had lent it money or served in the army
When the govt. failed to repay the bonds, speculators offered to buy them at much lower than their face value.
Hamilton proposed that all bonds be repaid Hamilton proposed that all bonds be repaid at face value.at face value.– This would be a way to win confidence in This would be a way to win confidence in
the new governmentthe new government– Sound bonds would be a a sign of nations Sound bonds would be a a sign of nations
financial and health and encourage financial and health and encourage Americans to invest in nation’s futureAmericans to invest in nation’s future
2 – Redemption of Bonds2 – Redemption of Bonds Opponents, like James Madison,
wanted the original bond holders to be paid.– He stated that only
Hamilton’s speculator friends (rich northeasterners) would profit
– war veterans would be cheated out of their money as they sold their bonds for next to nothing to speculators
This proved unworkable as govt. was unable to identify the original bond holders, and Hamilton’s plan passed
JAMES MADISON
3 – Selling Securities for 3 – Selling Securities for Permanent National DebtPermanent National Debt
Hamilton planned to raise the $54 million to pay off the national debt (to foreign nations and Confederate bond holders) by “funding” it
New securities would be sold which would be a combination of federal stock and western lands
The new securities would pay 4% interest as the old bonds paid 6% (thus govt. saved money) and would be safer investments than the old bonds
3 – Selling Securities for 3 – Selling Securities for Permanent National DebtPermanent National Debt
Hamilton recommended that the debt from the new securities should not be paid off– The 4% annual interest could
easily be paid off by collecting tariff money and excise taxes
– Investors would enjoy the profits and safety of investing money in these new securities
4 – Excise Tax on Whiskey This tax on whiskey
was relatively small but angered western farmers who relied on the sale of whiskey produced from their grain
Led to the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion
Hamilton was sent by Pres. Washington with 13,000 troops to put this rebellion down
Money from this tax helped pay state debts and interest on new securities sold
TAX COLLECTOR RUN OFF
Further Economic Measures
Hamilton later added two other reports (in 1791) that featured the following:5) A National Bank6) Tariffs to support
industry
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
5 – Bank of the United 5 – Bank of the United StatesStates Private investors would
own and operate the bank. The federal government
would have a safe place to deposit tax revenues.
The bank could give inexpensive loans to the govt. in times of need
The bank would also have the power to issue paper currency backed by the federal govt.
1ST BANK OF THE U.S.
5 – Bank of the United 5 – Bank of the United StatesStates
Arguments over the creation of the B.U.S.:– Opponents argued it would give rich
northerners who invested in the bank too much influence over government
– Opponents argued that no mention of Congress setting up national banks is contained in the Constitution (strict construction or strict interpretation)
– However, Hamilton argued that Congress can pass any laws necessary to carry out its expressed duties (loose construction)
A 20 year charter for the B.U.S. was passed in 1791
6 – Protective Tariffs Hamilton sought tariffs to:
– protect infant American industry for a short term until it could compete
– raise revenue to pay the expenses of government
– raise revenue to directly support manufacturing through bounties (subsidies)
Both parties supported the idea of a tariff though southerners and westerners in time would support lower ones than those sought by northerners
Subsidies to industry didn’t pass, but became part of the upcoming American System plan
Two Visions for the CountryTwo Visions for the Country
Hamilton envisioned a future Hamilton envisioned a future based on urban elites and the based on urban elites and the growth of commerce and growth of commerce and industryindustry
Federalists found support in Federalists found support in major port cities and the major port cities and the North in generalNorth in general
Jefferson saw a future based on responsible citizen-farmers and an expanding agrarian republic
Republicans found support in rural areas and especially in the South
Conflict #1: National Debt & National Conflict #1: National Debt & National CapitalCapital
In 1790, Congress refused In 1790, Congress refused to pass Hamilton’s debt to pass Hamilton’s debt assumption plan because assumption plan because of opposition from James of opposition from James Madison and other Madison and other Southerners who thought Southerners who thought it gave too much power to it gave too much power to the national governmentthe national government
Once an ally of Hamilton Once an ally of Hamilton in the ratification debate, in the ratification debate, Madison distrusted Madison distrusted Hamilton’s views on Hamilton’s views on executive powerexecutive power
Madison and other Madison and other Southerners wanted the Southerners wanted the nation’s permanent capital nation’s permanent capital located in the South located in the South
• Jefferson helped work out the “Compromise of 1790”
• Madison supported Hamilton’s debt plan in exchange for Hamilton’s pledge to support the choice of the Potomac as the site of the nation’s new capital
Conflict #2: The Whiskey Conflict #2: The Whiskey RebellionRebellion
Washington led 15,000 militia Washington led 15,000 militia into western Pennsylvania and into western Pennsylvania and put an end to the rebellion, put an end to the rebellion, asserting the power of the asserting the power of the national governmentnational government
Western Pennsylvania Western Pennsylvania farmers rebelled against farmers rebelled against high excise taxes on high excise taxes on whiskey in 1794whiskey in 1794
Federalists argued that Federalists argued that national power must be national power must be asserted to demonstrate the asserted to demonstrate the new country’s stability and new country’s stability and to make the point that to make the point that challenges to government challenges to government policy must be peacefulpolicy must be peaceful
Republicans supported the Republicans supported the farmers, arguing that the farmers, arguing that the excise taxes were an unfair excise taxes were an unfair burdenburden
Why do you think tax collectors were tarred and feathered?
Why do you think Washington chose to lead the troops Why do you think Washington chose to lead the troops himself?himself?
Results of Hamilton’s PlanResults of Hamilton’s Plan
Two political parties formed:Two political parties formed:– FederalistsFederalists – those who – those who
led by Thomas Jefferson led by Thomas Jefferson who feared the plan who feared the plan would give would give tootoo much much power to the national power to the national govt. and support the rich govt. and support the rich in the northin the north
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Results of Hamilton’s PlanResults of Hamilton’s Plan Revolutionary War debts were paid off
– High state taxes (like those that led to Shay’s Rebellion in Mass.) were lightened when states war debts were assumed by the federal govt.
U.S. Economy grew:– Exports tripled in the next 5 years– Wealthy become tied to the success of the
new government– U.S. had money available when it needed
Before he retired, Washington gave a farewell Before he retired, Washington gave a farewell address (speech). In it headdress (speech). In it he
Warned against political parties Warned against political parties - he thought they - he thought they caused divisions (factions) that could destroy the caused divisions (factions) that could destroy the nation.nation.
Urged the nation to remain neutral and not become Urged the nation to remain neutral and not become involved in permanent or long-term foreign alliances.involved in permanent or long-term foreign alliances.
Warned against a powerful military.Warned against a powerful military. Urged Americans to maintain and value a sense of Urged Americans to maintain and value a sense of
national unity.national unity. Washington ends second term with popularity and Washington ends second term with popularity and
prestige prestige DIMINISHEDDIMINISHED—no longer seen as a man —no longer seen as a man above politics for backing Hamilton.above politics for backing Hamilton.
John Adams Becomes 2John Adams Becomes 2ndnd PresidentPresident
After Washington After Washington retired, his Vice-retired, his Vice-President, President, John John Adams became the Adams became the second president.second president.
Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson came in second. He came in second. He became Vice-became Vice-President. President.
XYZ AffairXYZ Affair
The French had been seizing American ships The French had been seizing American ships so they couldn’t trade with England. (Anger so they couldn’t trade with England. (Anger after the war!)after the war!)
American ministers told talks would occur American ministers told talks would occur only if the Americans agreed to loan France only if the Americans agreed to loan France $10 million and to pay the minister a bribe $10 million and to pay the minister a bribe of $250,000. The Americans refused. The of $250,000. The Americans refused. The incident became known as the XYZ Affair. incident became known as the XYZ Affair.
Alien and Sedition ActsAlien and Sedition Acts
President Adams was criticized for the XYZ President Adams was criticized for the XYZ affair by Democratic-Republican affair by Democratic-Republican newspapers. newspapers.
He blamed the papers and new immigrants He blamed the papers and new immigrants for his problems. for his problems.
To silence his critics, the To silence his critics, the Alien and Alien and Sedition Acts Sedition Acts were passed by the were passed by the Federalist controlled Congress. Federalist controlled Congress.
3535
The 1798 The 1798 AlienAlien And And SeditionSedition Acts Acts attempted to muzzle Republican attempted to muzzle Republican critics.critics.– Residency for citizenship Residency for citizenship
(Naturalization) raised from 5 to 14 (Naturalization) raised from 5 to 14 yearsyears
– Can deport “dangerous” aliensCan deport “dangerous” aliens– Illegal to defame public officials Illegal to defame public officials
(written to expire in 1801 just in case (written to expire in 1801 just in case the fed’s lose the next election)the fed’s lose the next election)
– For the first two years it is very For the first two years it is very popular--seen as necessary to popular--seen as necessary to control immigrants and ensure control immigrants and ensure domestic safety domestic safety
Election of 1800Election of 1800
With John Adams With John Adams threatening threatening American civil American civil liberties with the liberties with the Alien and Sedition Alien and Sedition ActsActs– It’s time for another It’s time for another
election…election…
– Who is the public Who is the public going to pick this going to pick this time? time?
Election of 1800Election of 1800
FederalistsFederalists– John Adams John Adams
11stst sitting president sitting president who had to seriously who had to seriously campaign to keep his campaign to keep his jobjob
– Charles PinckneyCharles Pinckney Picked because of Picked because of
success from XYZ success from XYZ AffairAffair
Democratic –Democratic –RepublicanRepublican– Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson
VP who really wants VP who really wants to be POTUSto be POTUS
– Aaron BurrAaron Burr Popular politician Popular politician
within Democratic –within Democratic –Republican partyRepublican party
The Big Issue: Alien and The Big Issue: Alien and Sedition ActsSedition Acts
Jefferson and Madison authored the Virginia and Jefferson and Madison authored the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions in protest.Kentucky resolutions in protest.
They maintain that since the US A is JUST a federation of They maintain that since the US A is JUST a federation of independent states, the states could nullify Federal independent states, the states could nullify Federal (National) laws (precursor to the Nullification Crisis and (National) laws (precursor to the Nullification Crisis and the Civil War).the Civil War).
Although John Adams kept the US out of war with France Although John Adams kept the US out of war with France the Alien and Sedition Acts will keep him from being the Alien and Sedition Acts will keep him from being reelected.reelected.
Election of 1800 BreakdownElection of 1800 Breakdown
• Thomas Jefferson -Thomas Jefferson - 73 electoral votes 73 electoral votes• Aaron Burr Aaron Burr -- 73 electoral votes 73 electoral votes• John Adams John Adams - 65 electoral votes- 65 electoral votes
• Problem:Problem:– If there is a tie for 1If there is a tie for 1stst, who wins? , who wins?
• Who becomes VPOTUS? Who becomes VPOTUS?
• It goes to the House of Representatives to pick from It goes to the House of Representatives to pick from the top 2 candidates! the top 2 candidates!
In the case of a tie…House of In the case of a tie…House of Representatives picks the new Representatives picks the new
POTUSPOTUS In the H of RepsIn the H of Reps
– The majority political party is the Federalists:The majority political party is the Federalists: They refuse to vote for T. JeffersonThey refuse to vote for T. Jefferson
– They pick Burr just because they hate Thomas JeffersonThey pick Burr just because they hate Thomas Jefferson
– The Democratic-Republican’s make up the The Democratic-Republican’s make up the restrest They vote for JeffersonThey vote for Jefferson
What happens? What happens? – It’s a tie vote 30 straight times…It’s a tie vote 30 straight times…
Then, it gets weird….Then, it gets weird….
Enter Alexander HamiltonEnter Alexander Hamilton
The U.S. Constitution gets a The U.S. Constitution gets a new amendmentnew amendment
1212thth amendment amendment– Added in 1803Added in 1803
Created 2 ballots for Created 2 ballots for presidential presidential elections: elections:
1 for POTUS1 for POTUS 1 for VPOTUS1 for VPOTUS
That way there can That way there can never be a tie never be a tie again….we hope. again….we hope.
So what happens after the election So what happens after the election of 1800…of 1800…
John Adams is very disappointed he took John Adams is very disappointed he took 33rdrd. . – Goes home to Massachusetts to retire. Goes home to Massachusetts to retire.
Showed that the government was strong enough to endure a nasty Showed that the government was strong enough to endure a nasty political fight.political fight.
Aaron Burr and Alex Hamilton? Aaron Burr and Alex Hamilton? – It takes 4 years, butIt takes 4 years, but
It’s time to duel it out…It’s time to duel it out…
