U.S. Constitution History (PDF)

Unit 3 Part 2 Study: 13 colonies -\> 13 independently governed states with constitutions   - **List of rights** protecting basic rights and freedoms (bill or declaration) - Religious and jury trial - **Separation of Powers** - usually three branches - Legislative Branch - e...

Unit 3 Part 2 Study: 13 colonies -\> 13 independently governed states with constitutions   - **List of rights** protecting basic rights and freedoms (bill or declaration) - Religious and jury trial - **Separation of Powers** - usually three branches - Legislative Branch - elected two house legislature - Executive Powers - elected governors - Judicial Powers - courts   - ***Voting and office holding:*** white males who owned properties - Liberal vs Conservatives   [ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION ]   First US Constitution (1777,1781) - Written by John Dickinson - State more powerful than central gov   Structure of the Government - Each state had one vote - 9/13 required to pass law - 13/13 to amend AOC - No judicial or executive branch   Powers   COULD: wage war, make treaties, borrow money COULD NOT: regulate commerce, collect taxes, enforce laws   US Under the Articles (1781-1789)   - Accomplishments: Independence and Lane Ordinance 1785 - Sell western hand/townships - Public education in each - Township (1/36) - Northwest Ordinance of 1787 - Rules for creating new states - Limited self government to developing territories - No slavery   US Under the Articles: Weaknesses (1781,1789)   Foreign Affairs: - Europe = little respect - Could not enforce the Treaty of Paris - Britian kept military outposts on the frontier and restricted trade - Couldn\'t repay debts - GB and Spain threatened to take W land - ECNOMIC PROBLEMS: - NO dependable source of money - Unpaid debt - Relied on states to raise money - Economic depression - inflation INTERNAL CONFLICT\] 0 13 states = rivals Tariffs and trade restriction Boundary disputes Shay\'s Rebellion - MA farmer rebelling against the economic conditions - Stopped by MA militia - Lessons: - Weakness of gov under AOC - Need stronger federal gov - Address econ grievances   DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION \- Annapolis Convention 1786 vs Constitutional Convention 1787   **[THE DELEGATES ]** - White, college educated, you men, Lots of laws George Washington elected chairperson - Private meetings - Famous delegates: - Ben Franklin, James Madison, John Dickinson MISSING - John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine, Sam Adams Refused: - Patrick Henry     BELIEFS   Weak confederation of states wouldn\'t work Federalism - split power between state and national Separation of Poem- to prevent tyranny Checks and balances Federalists - Pro Ratification - AOC = too weak - Strong Central Gov = order and preservation. - Still protected state right The Federalist Papers - Persuasive essays written by Madison, Hamilton, Jay - Presented easy to understand reasons why constitution should be passed   Anti Federalists - Anti Ratification - Too much power to the National gov - Left the states to be too weak - Gave President too much power, feared President would become like a King. - Wanted a Bill of Rights to be added to the constitution and refused to sign it if the Bill of Right was not added. Bill of Rights Anti -\> protect ourselves from tyranny Feds -\> representatives elected; naturally protect rights By creating a list of rights, open the door for other rights to be infringed on     - Divides power between the federal and state governments **Power of the Federal Gov** - Regulate things that impact entire country - National defense, foreign affairs, issues across state boundaries, interstate commerce, postal service **Power of the State Gov** - Regulate things related to their state: - Schools, local elections   Washington Head the New Government (1789-1797)   - **Washington\'s Cabinet** (Exec. Branch) - **Sec of State**: Thomas Jefferson (foreign affairs) - **War**: Henry Knox (military) - **Treasury**: Alexander Hamilton (finances) - **Attorney General** - Edmund Randolph   - **Judicial Branch:** Supreme Court (John Jay) - Judiciary Act 1789 (Congress) - Supreme court (1 chief + 5 associate) - District (13) and Circuit (3) Courts - State decisions could be appealed to federal court   ECONOMIC PLAN (Alexander Hamilton): - Pay off **national debt** - Protect **infant industries and tariffs** on imports - Bank of the United States (national) - Funded by the federal gov and private investors - Issue paper money/ handle taxes Jefferson\'s take on it: - Gave federal gov too much power - National bank = unconstitutional - Hamilton\'s take =\"necessary and proper\" - Move capital to south along Potomac River   **Foreign Affairs: French Revolution**   1793 -\> France declares war (Spain and England) - Federalists = pro-British - Anti-Federalists = pro-French   Proclamation of Neutrality 1793 - Not strong enough to fight Europe - Edmond Genet = appeal to the people     **Treaties:**   **Jay Treaty (1794)**   - **Issues:** - Britian was seizing and searching ships and taking their seamen -\> US wanted them to stop (at the Ohio River Valley) - Impressing men into the navy   - **Agreement** - They agreed to evacuate its posts on the U.S. western frontier but not stopping the seizing - Kept the US neutral and encouraged growth of political parties   **Pinckney Treaty**   - **Issues**: - Spain wanted to have closer relations with America after seeing the treaty with Britian - Result of the Jay Treaty - **Agreement**: - Opened lower Mississippi River and New Orleans to trade - Right of deposit -\> no duties on cargo - Florida N boundary = 32ist parallel - Supported by western farmers   Domestic Affairs: Native and Western Land   - Northwest Confederacy - Shawnee, Iroquois, Delaware -\> Little turtle - Battle of Fallen Timbers 1794 = 1794 defeat - Treaty of Greenville - Tribes surrender Ohio and open to settlement - Western Lands - Jay treaty and Battle of FT - Public Land Act   Whiskey Rebellion - Excise Tax -\> tac on products manufacture sale or distribution - First use of armed force to assert fed gov   Party Origins - 1789 - unanimous vote for GW - No netion   Two Term Tradition - No constitutional limit on term - Voluntary retirement - 1940 - Roosevelt - 22nd Amendment (1941) Farewell Address - No involvement in European affairs - Do not make permanent alliances - Do not form political parties - Do not fall into sectionalism   **XYZ AFFAIR:** - **Issue** - France seizing American merchant ships - **Resolution** - Delegates negotiate with agents X, Y, and Z - bribery - Enraged Americans wanted war - US remains neutral -\> army/navy too weak - Quasi War   **ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS (1798):** - **Issue** **Federalists angry w/ France and D-R Party** - **Win house and senate -\> pass acts to stop immigrant voters**   - **Acts** - **Naturalization Act - 5\> 14 years to be a citizen** - **Alien Act:** - **President can deport immigrants deemed dangerous or in times of war** - **Sedition Act:** - Illegal for newspapers to speak poorly about President/Congress. - Kentucky and Virginia Resolution - Demo Rep -\> Alien and Sedition violates the 1st amendment - Kentucky - Jefferson - Virginia - Madison Election of 1800: Jefferson defeats Adams