Download A New Nation

A New Nation
Changes after the Revolution
What you need to know
• The student will demonstrate knowledge of
the challenges faced by the new nation by
– identifying the weaknesses of the government
established by the Articles of Confederation.
– identifying the basic principles of the new
government established by the Constitution of the
United States of America and the Bill of Rights.
– identifying the conflicts that resulted in the
emergence of two political parties.
– describing the major accomplishments of the first
five presidents of the United States.
Articles of the Confederation
• The Articles of Confederation was a
constitution written during the American
Revolution to establish the powers of the
new national government.
Articles of the Confederation
• Articles of Confederation
– Provided for a weak national government
– Gave Congress no power to tax or regulate
commerce among the states
– Provided for no common currency
– Gave each state one vote regardless of size
– Provided for no executive or judicial branch
The United States Constitution
• The Constitution of the United States of
America established a federal system of
government based on power shared
between the national and state
governments.
The United States Constitution
• Set up a Federal System of Government
– Federal system of government: A system that
divides governmental powers between
national government and the governments of
the states
The United States Constitution
• Established the Basic Principles of our
Government.
– Basic principles of government
• Separation of powers
– The structure of the new national government was based on
James Madison’s “Virginia Plan,” which called for three
separate branches of government:
– Legislative Branch (Congress) makes the laws. Congress is a
two-house legislature in which all states are represented
equally in the Senate (two Senators per state) and people are
represented in the House of Representatives (number of a
state’s representatives is based on state’s population).
– Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) determines if laws made by
Congress are constitutional.
– Executive Branch (President) carries out the laws.
• Checks and balances
– Each branch can check the power of the other.
– These checks keep any one branch from gaining too much
power.
Bill of Rights
• Bill of Rights
– James Madison was the author of the Bill of
Rights.
– The first ten amendments to the Constitution
of the United States of America provide a
written guarantee of individual rights (e.g.,
freedom of speech, freedom of religion).
Bill of Rights
• Amendment I. - Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress
of grievances.
• Amendment II. - A well regulated Militia, being
necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
• Amendment III. - No Soldier shall, in time of peace be
quartered in any house, without the consent of the
Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be
prescribed by law.
Bill of Rights
• Amendment IV - The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.
• Amendment V - No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of
a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or
in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger;
nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put
in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal
case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty,
or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be
taken for public use, without just compensation.
Bill of Rights
• Amendment VI - In all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial,
by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the
crime shall have been committed, which district shall
have been previously ascertained by law, and to be
informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to
be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor,
and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
• Amendment VII - In Suits at common law, where the
value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried
by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of
the United States, than according to the rules of the
common law.
Bill of Rights
• Amendment VIII - Excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.
• Amendment IX - The enumeration in the
Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained
by the people.
• Amendment X - The powers not delegated to
the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people.
Two Parties Emerge
• Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
had opposing views on the role of the
national government. That opposition
resulted in the creation of two political
parties.
• The debate over the role of the national
government has continued throughout
United States history.
What should the Government do?
• Major party differences
– Alexander Hamilton
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•
•
Leader of Federalists
Favored strong national government
Favored limits on states’ powers
Favored development of industry on a national scale
Favored a national bank
– Thomas Jefferson
•
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Leader of the Democratic Republicans
Favored a weak national government
Supported states’ powers
Favored small business and farmers
Opposed a national bank
America’s first leaders
• Congress and the first five presidents
made decisions establishing a strong
government that helped the nation grow in
size and power.
• All of the first five presidents were
Virginians except John Adams.
George Washington
• Federal court system was
established.
• Political parties grew out of the
disagreements between
Hamilton and Jefferson over
the proper role of the national
government.
• The Bill of Rights was added to
the Constitution of the United
States of America.
• Plans were initiated for
development of the national
capital in Washington, D.C.
Benjamin Banneker, an African
American astronomer and
surveyor, helped complete the
design for the city.
John Adams
• A two-party system
emerged during his
administration.
Thomas Jefferson
• He bought Louisiana
from France
(Louisiana Purchase).
• Lewis and Clark
explored this new
land west of the
Mississippi River.
James Madison
• The War of l812
caused European
nations to gain
respect for the United
States.
James Monroe
• He introduced the
Monroe Doctrine
warning European
nations not to
interfere in the
Western Hemisphere.
Essential Questions
• What were the basic weaknesses of the Articles
of Confederation?
• What were the basic principles of governments
stated in the Constitution of the United States of
America and Bill of Rights?
• What were the major differences between
Hamilton and Jefferson?
• What were the major national issues and events
faced by the first five presidents?