Hist 221 Test 2 day 5

Establishment of the New Government

• The new constitutional government is established in 1789 after the Articles of Confederation are dissolved.

• George Washington is elected as the first president, and Congress begins its sessions under the new government.

Ratification of the Constitution

• There was significant opposition to the Constitution, potentially more than support.

• Supporters of the Constitution were known as Federalists, while opponents were called Anti-Federalists.

• Federalists had advantages in political power, often being wealthier elites selected for state conventions.

• Federalist Papers:

  • A series of essays written to persuade people of the Constitution's benefits.

  • Authored primarily by three key figures:

    • James Madison ("Father of the Constitution")

    • Alexander Hamilton

    • John Jay

  • The essays addressed various aspects of the Constitution, making a case for ratification.

Key States in Ratification Process

• New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution in June 1788.

• The Constitution required nine states for ratification, creating uncertainty for the other four states that had yet to ratify.

• Significant states like Virginia and New York had not ratified, which posed risks for the new government’s viability.

Virginia's Ratification Battle

• Virginia's ratification convention saw significant opposition, spearheaded by Patrick Henry, a prominent Anti-Federalist.

• Other notable Anti-Federalists included George Mason and James Monroe, both concerned about a lack of a Bill of Rights.

• James Madison led the charge for ratification in Virginia, which was ultimately passed by a slim margin of 89 to 79.

New York's Ratification Battle

• New York also faced significant resistance to ratification, with Hamilton actively promoting support for the Constitution.

• New York ratified the Constitution in July 1788 with a vote of 30 to 27, amidst a challenging political climate.

Remaining States

• North Carolina and Rhode Island were the last holdouts against ratification, with North Carolina approving it in 1789 and Rhode Island not ratifying until May 1790.

Transition to Constitutional Government

• Starting the process of governance under the new Constitution began even before all states had ratified.

• The capital was moved from Philadelphia to New York, where Washington would be inaugurated in 1789.

• The Articles of Confederation Congress held its final meeting in October 1788 to set dates for elections under the new framework.

Washington’s Presidency

• Washington reluctantly accepted the presidential nomination and won the election nearly unanimously.

• The electoral process at the time allowed each elector to cast two votes; the individual with the most votes became the president, and the second became vice president. John Adams was the first vice president.

Washington's Cabinet

• Washington appointed a cabinet with distinct political rivals, notably:

  • Thomas Jefferson - Secretary of State

  • Alexander Hamilton - Secretary of the Treasury

• Conflicts between Hamilton's strong central government perspective and Jefferson's advocacy for states' rights characterized Washington's presidency.

Structure of the Constitution

• The Constitution establishes three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

• The legislative branch consists of a bicameral Congress (Senate and House of Representatives).

• Senate representation is equal (two senators from each state), whereas House representation is based on population, with each state having at least one representative.

Checks and Balances

• The system ensures that no branch becomes too powerful:

  • Congress can pass laws, but the president can veto them.

  • Congress can override vetoes with a two-thirds majority.

  • The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional through judicial review.

• Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

• Justices serve for life unless they retire, resign, or are impeached.

Term Limits and Presidency

• Initially, there were no term limits for presidents, but Washington established a precedent by serving only two terms.

• Franklin Roosevelt later broke this tradition, leading to the ratification of the 22nd Amendment, limiting presidents to two terms.

Political Party Development

• The Federalists (supporters of the Constitution) evolved into the Federalist Party.

• Anti-Federalists, disagreeing with the Constitution, transitioned into the opposition party led by Thomas Jefferson, which was known as the Democratic-Republican Party, favoring state power over federal authority.

___________________________________________________________________________

more detailed below

Establishment of the New Government

The new constitutional government was established in 1789 after the Articles of Confederation were dissolved due to their inherent weaknesses, which led to ineffective governance and economic turmoil.

George Washington was elected as the first president, a choice nearly unanimous and reflective of his widespread respect and trust by the American populace. Congress began its sessions under the new government, tackling pressing issues including debts from the Revolutionary War and setting up the framework for a functioning national economy.

Ratification of the Constitution

The Constitution faced significant opposition, potentially exceeding the levels of support among the populace. Supporters of the Constitution gained the moniker "Federalists," while those who opposed it were called "Anti-Federalists."

Federalists, often comprising wealthy elites and influential leaders, had advantages in political power, particularly given their role in state conventions. They argued for a stronger national government to maintain order and unity.

Federalist Papers

A series of influential essays known as the Federalist Papers were crafted to persuade the public of the Constitution's benefits and to alleviate fears regarding the central government's power.

• Authorship: The essays were primarily authored by three key figures:

  • James Madison, regarded as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in its drafting and promotion.

  • Alexander Hamilton, who strongly advocated for vigorous federal government initiatives.

  • John Jay, who also played a significant role in urging ratification.

These essays addressed various aspects of the Constitution, clarifying misconceptions and presenting the rationale for a robust federal structure.

Key States in Ratification Process

On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, fulfilling the requirement for a minimum of nine states for it to take effect. This ratification sparked uncertainty for the other four remaining states that had not yet approved the Constitution. The viability of the new government hinged on acquiring the support of significant states like Virginia and New York.

Virginia's Ratification Battle

Virginia’s ratification convention was particularly contentious, marked by vocal opposition from prominent Anti-Federalists such as Patrick Henry, who expressed fears regarding centralized power infringing upon state rights. Other notable Anti-Federalist leaders included George Mason and James Monroe, who contested the absence of a Bill of Rights that would safeguard individual liberties.

James Madison, despite initially opposing the Articles of Confederation, led the charge for ratification in Virginia and strategically negotiated assurances for the addition of a Bill of Rights, resulting in the convention passing the ratification by a slim margin of 89 to 79.

New York's Ratification Battle

New York confronted significant resistance to ratification as well, with Governor George Clinton and others voicing concerns about the implications of a stronger federal government. Alexander Hamilton played a critical role in persuading the public and state legislators of the Constitution's necessity. Ultimately, New York ratified the Constitution on July 26, 1788, with a close vote of 30 to 27.

Remaining States

North Carolina and Rhode Island were the last holdouts against ratification, with North Carolina finally approving it in late 1789 and Rhode Island not ratifying until May 1790, showcasing the deep divisions regarding federal versus state control that persisted in the early years of the republic.

Transition to Constitutional Government

The process of governance under the new Constitution commenced even before all states had ratified, emphasizing the urgency felt by leaders. The national capital was remarkably moved from Philadelphia to New York City, where Washington would be inaugurated in 1789. The Articles of Confederation Congress held its final meeting in October 1788 to set dates for the first elections under the new constitutional framework.

Washington’s Presidency

Washington reluctantly accepted the presidential nomination and achieved his election nearly unanimously, highlighting the nation's unification behind his leadership. During this period, the electoral process allowed each elector to cast two votes, with the individual receiving the most votes becoming the president and the next highest becoming vice president. John Adams was elected as the first vice president.

Washington's Cabinet

Washington established a cabinet that included significant political rivals, bringing a spectrum of ideas into governance:

• Thomas Jefferson, who served as Secretary of State and championed states' rights and agrarian interests.

• Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, who advocated for a strong central government and financial system.

This cabinet saw notable conflicts, with Jefferson’s focus on states' rights often clashing with Hamilton's vision for a powerful federal government, which set the stage for the future development of political parties in the United States.

Structure of the Constitution

The Constitution definitively established three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial, each designed to work collaboratively yet independently.

• Legislative Branch: The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of a Senate (where representation is equal with two senators from each state) and a House of Representatives (where representation is based on population, with each state having at least one representative).

• Checks and Balances: This system ensures that no branch can become excessively powerful. For example, Congress can pass laws, but the president can veto legislation. Congress has the capability to override vetoes with a two-thirds majority vote, ensuring checks on executive power. Furthermore, the Supreme Court's authority to declare laws unconstitutional enhances judicial oversight, with justices serving for life unless they retire, resign, or are impeached.

Term Limits and Presidency

Initially, no term limits for presidents existed; however, George Washington established a crucial precedent by voluntarily serving only two terms. This practice persisted until Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election to an unprecedented four terms, ultimately leading to the ratification of the 22nd Amendment, which formally limited presidents to two terms in office, reflecting an ongoing concern for democratic governance.

Political Party Development

The Federalists, who initially supported the Constitution, evolved into the Federalist Party, promoting a strong central government. In contrast, the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the Constitution, transitioned to the opposition party led by Thomas Jefferson, which became known as the Democratic-Republican Party. This party emphasized the importance of state power relative to federal authority, leading to the development of the first party system in the United States, as ideological divides emerged over the role and scope of government authority in American life.