Early Republic

Constitutional Convention - Key Plans and Compromises

New Jersey Plan

  • Proposed by Thomas Jefferson (not Alexander Hamilton)

  • Advocated a strong national government with three branches (Executive, Legislative, Judicial).

  • Featured a bicameral (two-house) legislature, with membership based on a state's population.

  • Granted the national government the power to tax.

Virginia Plan

Proposed by Alexander Hamilton (not Thomas Jefferson)

  • Also proposed a national government with three branches (Executive, Legislative, Judicial).

  • Featured a unicameral (one-house) Legislative Branch.

  • Each state would have only one vote, similar to the Articles of Confederation.

  • States would retain the power of taxation.

3/5 Compromise

  • The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed enslaved people to be counted as 3/5 of a free white person for purposes of population-based representation.

Hamilton & Jefferson - Differing Visions

Party Affiliation

  • Hamilton: Federalist

  • Jefferson: Democratic-Republican

Form of Government

  • Hamilton: Believed in rule by the educated elite ('best people') with a strong national government, prioritizing national power over states' rights.

  • Jefferson: Favored democracy and limited government, believing a small government would preserve liberty and stronger state governments (closer to the people) were more controllable.

Ideal Economy

  • Hamilton: Sought to expand the economy through federal promotion of business, manufacturing, and trade.

  • Jefferson: Envisioned an agrarian economy based on farm folk, viewing the national bank as unconstitutional and anti-farmer due to a lack of loans for agriculturalists.

Foreign Policy

  • Hamilton: Supported Britain, aspiring for the U.S. to achieve similar power and respect.

  • Jefferson: Supported France, seeing revolutionary sacrifice as a small price for freedom.

Hamilton’s National Bank - Debates and Functions

Congressional Debates

  • Debates centered on economic control, with Southern representatives fearing the bank would give excessive power to wealthy Northern financiers.

  • Arguments also arose over the bank's constitutionality: whether it was an explicit or implied power of Congress.

Bank Functions

  • Collect tax revenue via a branch network.

  • Secure government funds.

  • Loan funds to the government when needed.

  • Facilitate money movement nationwide through its branches.

  • Pay government bills.

Washington’s Presidency - Establishing Precedents

Precedents

  • Established a cabinet, recognizing the President cannot govern alone and requires departmental experts.

Cabinet

  • Key appointments: Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury.

  • Washington encouraged debate between them, believing it would lead to balanced outcomes.

  • Also included a Department of War and the Office of the Attorney General.

Foreign Policy

  • Issued a Proclamation of Neutrality, abstaining from foreign conflicts.

  • Jay's Treaty aimed to prevent war with Great Britain and protect the American economy, despite being highly unpopular domestically.

Economy

  • #### Whiskey Rebellion

    • A tax on whiskey led to protests by Western farmers who felt targeted.

    • Washington deployed 13,000 troops to quell the rebellion without violence.

    • This action asserted federal authority against defiance and proved the Constitution's effectiveness, though the tax remained.

Farewell Address

  • Advised against sectionalism, political parties, and foreign influence.

Alien & Sedition Acts - Context and Impact

Context

  • France suspended diplomatic relations and seized over 300 American ships in two years.

Significance

  • Prohibited public opposition to the government, imposing fines or imprisonment for violations.

Outcomes

  • Sparked debates on states' rights versus federal power, highlighting early conflicts over government control.

Marbury v Madison - Judicial Review's Origin

Election of 1800

  • Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) won the election.

Context

  • Before leaving office, John Adams appointed numerous Federalist judges, but commissions weren't delivered before Jefferson took office.

  • Jefferson instructed James Madison not to deliver these commissions.

  • William Marbury, an appointed judge, sought a Supreme Court order (a