New Republic pt 1

vocab

Peace of Paris 1783

The British agree to remove their armies from American soil “with all convenient speed”

Articles of Confederation

Created a weak and decentralized form of government. It was set to “Advise and recommend, but not command.” They didn't want the government to have too much authority.

Confederation Economy

This early economy was miserable, the currency during this time was worthless. The British enforced many trade practices that cause such high taxes and the U.S. couldn't do anything about it. Adam Smith writes the Wealth of Nations that denounces mercantilism and states that if a nation exploits another it will overall hurt itself. Lord Shelburne is a part of Parliament and believes that if England doesn't back off its economy will suffer similar to Smith. John Baker Holroyd wrote The Earl of Sheffield, Observations on the Commerce of the American States, this states that the British government does not have to do any favors for the Americans.

Shay’s Rebellion

A mob of poor farmers marched on Springfield, MA, to prevent the state supreme court from meeting. Their leader was Daniel Shays, he was a veteran of the War for Independence. Shay’s and his 1,200 men moved against the arsenal to get more weapons but were stopped by militia units.

Annapolis, MD

This meeting was placed in September 1786 where 5 states got together to discuss the economic problems. Alexander Hamilton was a young lawyer who had served with Washington. He suggested another meeting to revise and make the Articles of Confederation stonger.

Constitutional Convention

The purpose of the convention was to establish a stronger centralized form of government. In May of 1787 delegates from 12 states met at the Pennsylvania state house to discuss the revision. George Washington was the chairman and did not participate in debates, Ben Franklin was the behind the scenes advisor to the younger delegates, James Wilson was a lawyer and was the best known attorney in the country, Roger Sherman was a self taught lawyer that was very skilled at compromise, John Adams was an ambassador to England, Jefferson was an ambassador to France, Madison was the father of the US Constitution, The Virginia Plan was Madison’s plan for a new constitution, New Jersey Plan was presented a unicameral congress, This was presented by William Paterson, Connecticut Plan was a compromise between Madison and Paterson.

Slavery in the Constitution

Slavery was addressed 3 times in the Constitution. The 3/5 compromise was the southern states attempt to use slaves at part of their population 3 out of every 5 would be counted. The Fugitive Slave Law was where the southerners demand constitutional protection when trying to reclaim a runaway slave. The Atlantic Slave Trade Sunset was when the Constitution would end this trade in 1808.

Ratification

Approval from all states on the US Constitution. Federalists favored the ratification while the Anti-federalist opposed it. The Federalists were a series of essays published in New York newspapers written by Hamilton, John Jay, and Madison. Madison addressed the concern that the Federal government would be too strong. Hamilton convinced non federalists that if they didn't ratify the constitution it would cause NY to leave the states. The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the constitution.

George Washington Establishing Precedents

Washington wanted to exercise his power to the fullest but respected the separation of powers. These precedents regarded to the way he dressed, addressed Congress, addressed the way he wanted to be addressed, and that he would be serving 2 terms.

Henry Knox

He was the Secretary of War under Washington

Thomas Jefferson

He was the Secretary of State under Washington

Alexander Hamilton

Planned for a New Economy, he wanted to reduce credit risk posed by the US. He issued a series of reports to get the economy up and running. He made the report of Public Credit this was the cornerstone to his economic plan. He got funding by promising to fund Federal debt and decided that current note holders would receive payments. He assumed all individual state debts, a grant would be given to each state. He made the report on Bank of the US which discussed what he wanted the Federal government to establish a National Bank for. He then made the Report on Manufactures which stated the US would become a manufacturing country, this did not pass Congress.