Download A Framework for Government

A Framework for
Government
A New Nation
After declaring independence, the big
challenge faced by the Second
Continental Congress was to establish a
central government.
 In 1777, delegates wrote the Articles of
Confederation.

Articles of Confederation
1st Constitution of the United States
 The articles established a “firm league of
friendship” between the states & created a
Congress with each state having one vote.
 The Articles gave the new national gov’t the
power to declare war, make peace, & sign
treaties.

Problems with the
Articles of Confederation
It created no separate executive
department to carry out & enforce the acts
of Congress, no power given to Congress
to raise an army, & no national court
system to interpret the meaning of laws.
 By 1787, it was clear that the Articles of
Confederation were not strong enough to
govern the new nation.

Tough times in the new nation
America now extended to the MS River,
with claims for land between the
Appalachians & the MS River made by
several states.
 Moreover, America was in debt, with no
ability to resolve its financial woes.

 The
federal government could ask for money
from the states, but could not tax.

Also, the issue of slavery divided the
states.
Tough times lead to….
Times were hard for America’s farmers—
many were unable to sell their goods &
pay the heavy taxes states levied against
their land to pay each state’s war debt.
 Many farmers landed in jail—their lands
seized by the states to pay their debts.
 Many farmers viewed the actions of the
gov’t as a new form of tyranny.

Shay’s Rebellion

In January 1787, Daniel Shays, along with
some 1,000 farmers, attempted to storm
the federal arsenal in Springfield,
Massachusetts (MA).
 He
was a war veteran, carried lots of debt, &
he felt he was the victim of too much taxation.

To some, the rebellion showed the
government was too weak to govern the
new nation.
Constitutional Convention

Delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787.
 1/2
of the delegates served in the Continental
Congress & 1/3 had served in the war.

Disagreements over representation led to
multiple plans proposed (Virginia, New
Jersey) and multiple compromises (3/5
and Great)
Key Features of the Constitution

The Great Compromise
2

Houses (bicameral legislature):
 House of Representatives (based on population)
 Senate (equal representation)
Three-Fifths Compromise
3
of every 5 slaves were counted for both representation
and tax purposes
Ratification




Nine out of 13 states had to approve the
Constitution—this occurred in 1789
Federalists: supporters of the Constitution
(Alexander Hamilton, James Madison)
Anti-Federalists: wanted to add a Bill of Rights
to protect individual states’ rights (Thomas
Jefferson)
The Federalist:
 collection
of 85 essays that summarized the
arguments for immediate ratification
 written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and
John Jay
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the
Constitution were added in 1791
 The amendments protected individual
rights

 Examples:
Freedom of speech
 Right to bear arms
 Right to a trial by jury

The New Constitution Called For…

Federalism: power divided between
federal (national) government and the
states
 The
Constitution would be the Supreme Law
of the Land
Popular Sovereignty: rule by the people
 Separation of Powers: power divided
among 3 branches of government

 Executive
 Judicial
 Legislative
It Also Called For…

Checks and
Balances: each
branch of government
has the ability to limit
the power of the other
branches to prevent
them from becoming
too powerful
George Washington



Elected as 1st President of the
United States
Task = take the words of the
Constitution and turn them into
an effective U.S. government
Needed a cabinet to help with
Presidential responsibilities
 Thomas Jefferson: Sec. of
State
 Alexander Hamilton: Treasury
Department
 Henry Knox: Sec. of War
The Whiskey Rebellion
In 1791, Hamilton urged Congress to pass
a tax on the manufacture of whiskey
 The tax enraged farmers who often used
whiskey to pay their debts
 In 1794, rebellion erupted in western
Pennsylvania
 Farmers terrorized tax collectors, stopped
court proceedings, robbed the mail and
destroyed whiskey distilleries

The Whiskey Rebellion cont.
In August 1794, President Washington
sent 15,000 troops to crush the Whiskey
Rebellion
 Significance: showed the power of the
Federal government and the strength of
Washington’s presidency

Washington’s Foreign Policy
Shortly after Washington’s inauguration,
French Revolution began in France
 War spread to Great Britain, who fought
against the French
 Americans were divided over how to react,
but Washington stated that the United
States would remain “friendly” and
“impartial” towards both powers

= NON-INTERVENTION
Rise of Political Parties
-
-
-
-
Federalists
Led by Alexander
Hamilton
Favored strong
national government
Loose interpretation of
the Constitution
Wanted to put power in
hands of the wealthy
Democratic- Republicans
- Led by Thomas
Jefferson
- Favored strong state
governments
- Strict interpretation of
the Constitution
- Power should be given
to all landowners,
regardless of wealth
Practice Question
1.
What did the Whiskey Rebellion show
about George Washington?
He lacked the ability to forge foreign
alliances
b. He was a strong president who was willing
to use federal troops when necessary
c. He could not efficiently govern a nation
because he was not well-respected
d. He strongly believed that political parties
should govern the nation
a.
Practice Question
2. The three-fifths compromise sought to
prevent
States with high slave populations from
dominating the House of Representatives
b. The Senate from becoming too powerful
within the bicameral system
c. The Constitution from ultimately being
ratified
d. Antifederalists from winning the debate over
federalism
a.
Practice Question
3. Limited government, a system of checks and
balances, a separation of the powers in
government, and government based on the will
of the people, form the foundation for
a.
b.
c.
d.
Northwest Ordinance
United States Constitution
Articles of Confederation
Declaration of Independence