AOC-Washington Administration

Describe the Articles of Confederation.

• Congress was the chief agency of the government (unicameral)

• No executive branch

• No judicial branch (legal matters are left to the states)

What were some of the powers of the Articles of Confederation?

• Make war

• Create treaties

• Send diplomatic representatives

• Borrow money

• Created the Northwest Ordinance which allowed the United States to claim territories and turn them into states

• Funded and oversaw the war

• Negotiated the Treaty of Parris

What were the limitations of the Articles of Confederation?

• Intentionally weak

• No power to regulate commerce (resulted in conflict between states)

• Could not enforce its tax collection program

• States had all the power

• No common currency

• States each get 1 vote (unequal to population size)

Describe the events of Shay’s Rebellion and its after effects.

• Farmers from Western Massachusetts were losing their farms to mortgage

• Shays organized farmers to march on several cities. This closed courthouses and prevented them from seizing anymore farms

• Four farmers died, the rest scattered, and the rebellion ended

• Shays was arrested, but later pardoned

• Rebellion created a class divide and showed that the Articles of Confederation was too weak to continue running the country

What was the Annapolis convention?

• Convention aimed at improving interstate commerce

• Only 5 states showed up

• Alexander Hamilton gained a commitment for the Constitutional Convention the following year in Philadelphia

• The purpose of the Constitutional Convention was to overhaul the Articles of Confederation

Describe what happens at the Constitutional Convention.

• Held in Philadelphia in Independence Hall

• 55 delegates

• Secret convention intended to overthrow the Articles, and create an entirely new American government

• Each state sent representatives (except Rhode Island)

• Strong anti-nationalists did not attend (Patrick Henry, Sam Adam’s, etc.)

Who was at the Constitutional Convention and what was there impact?

• Washington- elected chairman of the convention and essentially oversaw it

• James Madison- Most influential and kept very good notes. Wrote the Constitution and the Virginia Bill of Rights

• Benjamin Franklin- Well respected, but ill. Contributed at many crucial points in the convention

• George Mason- Authored Virginia Bill of Rights. Believed in the rights of people in a state and disagreed with a strong national government. Did not sign the Constitution

• Alexander Hamilton- Believed in a strong national government. He was frustrated because he believed only a few should govern

Describe the influence of Hamilton.

• Becomes progressively more important under Washington

• Doesn’t see the states as sovereign. Believes in the potential of a united nation

What were the main issues discussed about the Constitution?

• Representation

• States rights vs. national rights

• Slavery

• Economy

Describe the structure of the Constitution.

• 3 co-equal branches: legislative, executive, and judicial

• Legislative is bicameral: upper and lower house. The upper house has 2 representatives per state, and the lower house has representatives based on population. They have the power to tax and regulate commerce

What is federalism?

Idea of power being distributed between the state government and national government. Delegated, reserved, or concurrent.

Describe the Virginia Plan.

• Written by James Madison and introduced by Edmund Randolph

• Bicameral legislature with lower house elected, and appointing the upper house

• Would require state representation to be based on population (larger states get more of a say)

• Weaker states feared that the stronger states would join together to dominate the rest under this plan

Describe the New Jersey plan.

• Written by William Patterson

• “Equal representation” in a unicameral Congress by state, regardless of size and population

• VERY similar to the Articles of Confederations

What is the “Great Compromise”

• States agreed to have representation based on population in the House of Representative, and equal representation in the Senate

• Each state has 2 senators

• Every tax bill originates in the House

• Large states benefited the most from this compromise

What are some powers of the Senate?

• Ratify treaties

• Approve presidential appointments

• Cooling body that’s supposed to calm arguments

What are some presidential powers?

• Military commander in chief

• Power to make appointments

• Veto over legislation

What is the Electoral College?

Electors chosen by the states vote for the president individually to control the will of the people

What is a delegated power?

A power that is reserved to the state government

What is a reserved power?

Powers the states hold

What is a concurrent power?

Power that is shared at both the state and federal level

What does the Supremacy Clause (Linchpin Clause) state?

When there is a collision in state and federal law, the constitution is supreme

What philosopher had the idea of a separation of powers in government?

Montesquieu

What was the Commerce Compromise?

• Northern states wanted taxes on trade, while southern states did not

• Congress decided to tax imports but not exports

What were the safeguards implemented to check the “mob”?

• Federal judges are appointed for life

• President elected indirectly by the Electoral College

• Senators were chosen indirectly by state legislators

• Only the House of Representatives was elected by direct vote of qualified (property owning white males) citizens

What was the Elastic Clause?

Clause that states that Congress has the power to implement any laws deemed “necessary and proper”

What was the 3/5 compromise?

Compromise stating slaves count as 3/5 if a person to determine there representative status

What was the slave trade compromise?

Compromise stating the north got a $10 tax per head on each slave, and the south was able to keep the slave trade as well as there not being a vote on it for another 20 years

Why was a bill of rights not included in fhs original draft of the Constitution?

1. Southern states believed it would be hypocritical to include “all men are by nature born free” if they still had slaves

2. States already has their own individual bill of rights, so many states rights activists believed these should remain present and binding

3. Some delayed feared the future governments might think they can take away any rights not specifically state sin the hill of rights

4. The agreement over the Constitution was very fragile, and the creators did not want any more disputes that would collapse their decisions

What is the ratification procedure for the Constitution?

• Ratification is to occur in “special state conventions”

• Nine of thirteen states need to ratify in order for it to go into practice

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

• People who opposed ratification

• Tended to be middle class and farmers who preferred states to be in control

• Included George Mason and Patrick Henry

Where was Thomas Jefferson during the creation of the Constitution?

France. He only writes to Madison.

Who is the ninth state to ratify?

New Hampshire

What are the Federalist Papers?

• Written by Federalists Hamilton, Madison, and Jay

• Essays explaining and supporting ratification

What led Virginia to ratify the Constitution?

Federalists said they would consider 20 amendments to the Constitution after they ratify

Why did New York end up ratifying?

Virginia ratifying swayed them as well as Hamiltons strong influence to change the opinions of Anti-Federalists

What documents influenced the creation of the Bill of Rights?

• Virginia Declaration of Rights- Written by George Mason. States that the government should not be able to violate anyone’s basic human rights

• Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom- Written by Thomas Jefferson. Outlawed an “established”

• church and believe in the idea of separation of church and state

What is the 1st amendment?

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and peition

What is the 2nd amendment?

Right to bear arms

What is the 3rd amendment?

Forbids the quartering of soldiers in private homes during times of peace

What is the 4th amendment?

Protection from unreasonable search and seizure

What is the 5th amendment?

Includes specific legal rights like the right to remain silent

What is the 6th amendment?

Right to a fair and speedy trial

What is the 7th amendment?

Right to a jury comprised of your peers

What is the 8th amendment?

Forbids excessive bail or fines and cruel or unusual punishment

What is the 9th amendment?

The government cannot take away rights of people that are not specifically listed in the Constitution (you have rights outside of the listed ones)

What is the 10th amendment?

Any powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states

What was Hamilton’s idea to pay of the nations debt?

He wanted a national bank (1/5 of board is government appointees but major stockholder is the government) to promote a commercial, industrial country. He wants to assume all of the states debt and have each of the states pay it off equally. The states who are no longer in debt are NOT happy about this. His idea is passed and the government creates a national currency based off of the amount of gold it has. This charter is in effect for 20 years.

What is the whiskey tax?

Tax implemented by Hamilton. Crops are too expensive to transport, so they become distilled into whiskey. Byoutring a tax on whiskey, Hamilton is cornering farmers into paying a large tax. He is not overly concerned with this though since the people who do not support the tax are Anti-Federalists

What does Thomas Jefferson get in exchange for Hamilton’s national bank idea to be implemented?

The capitol gets placed in between Maryland and Virginia (D.C. but was then known as Foggy Bottom)

What are the precedents that George Washington sets during his administration?

1. Makes a cabinet (secretaries that help run the executive branch)

2. Establishes the Judiciary Acts: sets up lower courts that expands the judicial branches power

Who does Washington appoint to be part of his cabinet, and what conflict arises because of this?

• Secretary of state: Thomas Jefferson

• Secretary of treasury: Alexander Hamilton

• Secretary of war: Henry Knox

• Attorney General: Edmund Randolph

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton disagree HEAVILY on many things, which leads to the creation of parties

What parties originate during/after Washington’s administration and what were they like?

Hamiltonian Federalists

• City-folk and wealthy class

• Distrusted by the common people

• Supported a strong central government

• Pro-British in foreign policy

Jeffersonian Republicans (Democratic Republicans)

• Middle class and farmers

• National debt is a curse and should be paid off ASAP

• Pro-French

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

Group in Western Pennsylvania started tarring and feathering tax collectors and speaking in the same language that was used during the revolt to the intolerable acts. Washington tries to compromise with them, but they don’t want to. Because of this, Washington leads the American troops to stop the Whiskey Rebellion and the protestors are decimated. This act shows the strength of the Constitution compared to the Articles of confederation and its difficulty putting down Shay’s rebellion.

What occurred in the French Revolution?

The king and queen are killed and the country is being led by a small group (and then eventually Napoleon). Britain declares war on France, and France asks the US for help. Hamilton wants to support the British to keep a good financial relationship with them, but Jefferson wants to support France due to the pact we made with them. Washington announces neutrality in the war because we don’t have a strong enough army to get involved, and he doesn’t want to upset either party. The Democratic Republicans are furious, and the Federalists think this is a great idea.

What conflict arises between Britain and the US?

Britain is not honoring the Treaty of Parris. They maintain forts on US territory, continue to trade firearms with the natives, and impress our sailors into joining the British navy.

What was Jay’s Treaty?

Treaty where Britain aggree to leave forts and continue to trade with the US. They do not agree to stop impressing our soldiers, and the Americans see this treaty as very unhelpful. Britain is essentially agreeing to things they had already agreed to, and America is gaining nothing. This is a very pro-British treaty.

What is stated in Washington’s Farewell Address?

He asks America to stay away from political parties, and not get involved in foreign entanglement.

Who is contending for the second election for president and who wins?

Adams vs. Jefferson. Adams wins, and Jefferson becomes VP.

What occurs in the Quasi-War with France?

France begins to seize about 300 US merchant ships. They are upset because we violated the treaty we had with them when we declared neutrality with their war against Britain. We try to negotiate with them, and they insist we pay $25,000 for the privilege to talk to the French foreign minister, Talleyrand. War hysteria sweeps the US, and we prepare the navy as well as establish the Marine Corps.

What are the Alien Acts?

A series of laws that (on the surface) were meant to protect the country from French sabotage. They were truthfully mean to expel and silence immigrants, who were typically Democratic Republicans. It implemented the residence requirement to be a US citizen to be raised from 5 years to 14 years, and declared that the president could deport “dangerous” foreigners. It was never actually enforced.

What are the Sedition Acts?

Acts that stated anyone who talks badly about the government or its officials is liable to heavy fines and imprisonment. The federalust’s controlled the supreme court, so it was not refuted. The laws were enforced, and (momentarily) increased support for the Federalist party. These laws are WILDLY unconstitutional.

What were the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions?

Resolutions create secretly by Jefferson and Madison since the Democratic Republicans believed the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. It argued that the states had the right to nullify laws that were deemed unconstitutional. This planted the seed for states not listening to the national government, and then later suceeding.

What was the Convention of 1800?

France and the US decide not to go to war, and the Treaty of Friendship is removed. (A direct cause of this is the Louisiana Purchase since we remain on good terms)

What ultimately leads to Jefferson winning the third presidential election?

Hamilton endorsed him instead of Burr, which angers Burr greatly. He eventually challenged Hamilton to a duel, and shoots him in the chest, killing him.

Who was John Marshall?

• Washington’s aid in the Revolutionary war

• Secretary of State under John Adams

• Appointed as chief justice of the supreme court under Adams

• Federalist

• Developed Judicial Review (if the supreme court declares a law unconstitutional, it will be removed)

What occurred under Jefferson’s administration?

• He leaves in place Hamilton’s old policies rather than replacing them

• Pardons those affected by the Sedition Act

• Tries to save the government money by reducing the size of the military

Explain the Louisiana Purchase.

Napoleon buys the land in the Louisiana Purchase to create a “sugar empire”, but he loses interest. The US wants to buy a small sliver of land from Florida to New Orleans, so we offer $10 million or that specifically. The French counter with $15 million for the entire thing. This doubled the size of the United States, removed foreign presence from our borders, and guaranteed land on either side of the Mississippi river.

What occurred because of the Louisiana Purchase, and how did it contribute to the origin of the Civil War?

The purchase reopened the issue of slavery and whether or not it would be present in this new land, which ultimately created the Civil War.

Who were Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea, and what did they do?

Explorers sent y Jefferson to “discover” the Midwest.

Merriwether Lewis

• Science guy

• Helped put down the Whiskey Rebellion

• Aide to Jefferson

William Clark

• Map maker with a military background

• Brought a slave, York, with him who proved to be incredibly helpful

Sacagawea

• 16 at the time and carrying an infant

• Her presence (and child) let others know that they came in peace and meant no harm

• She knew many languages and served as an interpreter and mediator

What did Jefferson want from the Midwest exploration?

• Direct waterway to the West Coast (not a thing)

• Chart land routes to the West

• Gather information about the indigenous plants and animal

• Strengthen American claims to Oregon territory

  • The land had an undecided owner, so we pushed to expand there

• Let people know that the land has changed hands

Why does Britain begin to seize American ships?

They don’t want the US to trade with France, and they believe that their sailors are leaving to be apart of the US.

What is the Berlin Decree?

American ships trading with Britain will be seized by France

What are the Order in Council?

Neutral nations must have their cargo checked at a British port before it can be delivered to the rest of Europe (impressment continues)

What was the Chesapeake Affair?

• British boat tries to inspect a US vessel, and we refused

• They open fired, and 3 people are killed

• Jefferson is furious, and calls for state governors to call up their miltias

What was the War of 1812?

• United States was fighting Great Britain

• James Madison is the president

• Many little occurrences have happened with Britain, but none of them have been big enough for a war. The amalgamation of the all of the events are big enough for a war though

• The beginning is very rough for Americans

• Federalists opposed the war because they are losing money

• British/Canadians burn down D.C., and eat and drink at the President’s table before burning it down

• After burning down D.C., the British want to go to Philadelphia

  • The Americans know this, and set up camp at Fort McHenry which is near Baltimore

  • The British bombarded the fort, but are unsuccessful (leads to the National Anthem)

Explain the Marbury vs. Madison case.

Adams appointed Marbury and many other judges to the Federal court in D.C. right before the end of his presidency. Jefferson and Madison withhold Marbury’s commission, and he argues that they are not allowed to do that. The supreme court rules that the Judiciary Act (the act that gave Marbury his job) is unconstitutional, which implements Judicial Review.

Explain the Mulloch vs. Maryland case.

The federal government wants a branch of the national bank in Maryland, and Maryland says they will tax the bank if it is implemented. Marshall says “the power to tax is the power to destroy” and says that taxes on federal institutions are unconstitutional. He argues this using the elastic and supremacy clause.

Explain the Gibbons vs. Ogden case.

Ogden has a monopoly on steamboat transport between New York and New Jersey given to him by the state, while Gibbons has the same given to him by the government. Marshall uses the supremacy clause to argue that Gibbons has the true monopoly, and Ogden is not in the right. This implements the fact that the federal government can control interstate commerce.

Explain the Worcester vs. Georgia case.

The federal government ruled the Cherokee a sovereign nation, but Georgians are trying to enter the territory. The supreme court decides that the states do not have control over states that are not theirs.