CH. 6 THE CONSTITUTION AND THE NEW REPUBLIC FOCUS: 1. Problems leading to the Constitutional Convention, 2.

The debates in the various states on whether to ratify the new plan of government 3. the struggles of the two presidents, Washington and Adams, to meet the domestic and international challenges of the 1790s I. The United States Under the Articles, 1781-1787: Major problems the US faced immediately after winning its independence a. Foreign Problems i. US didnt follow through with the obligations of the Treaty of Paris ii. They couldnt keep Britain from trade restrictions and military outposts on the western frontier b. Economic Weakness and Interstate Quarrels i. No credit and worthless money. ii. States were suspicious of one another and competed for economic gain c. The Annapolis Convention i. Washing got some states to discuss critical problems with the country. ii. Not many showed up at the next meeting. iii. They wanted the Articles of Confederation revised at the next meeting Drafting the Constitution at Philadelphia: Delegates met in Philly to revise the Articles of Confederation a. The Delegates i. Made up of 55 young, wealthy, educated white men. ii. Conducted in secret iii. George Washington was the elected chairperson iv. Some major leaders of the Amer. Revolution were not present. b. The Issues i. To keep government from abusing their power, they wanted the new constitution to be based upon a system of checks and balancesone branch keeping the other in check. ii. Representatives: How to represent large and small states 1. GREAT COMPROMISE: a. Two house Congress i. Each state would be given equal representation in the Senate. ii. Each state would be represented according to the size of its population in the House of Rep. iii. Slavery: How to deal with counting and keeping slaves 1. Three-fifths Compromise a. Each slave was 3/5ths a person 2. Slavery will continue for 20 years. Then can be discussed again iv. Trade 1. Commercial Compromise a. Congress regulates interstate trade and foreign commerce

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b. No taxes on any exports. v. Powers and election of the president 1. President could veto acts of Congress 2. Four year term that had no limit of repetitions 3. Electoral College: reps based upon state population. To keep from mob rule. vi. Ratification 1. Draft if approved on Sept 17, 1787. 2. Needed only 9 of 13 votes to pass this Constitution Federalists and Anti-Federalists i. Federalists: Those who supported the Constitution and a strong federal government. ii. Anti-Federalists: Members of this political group tended to be small farmers and settlers on the western frontier and wanted a weak central government, with most power belonging to the states or to the people b. The Federalist Papers i. 85 essays written to bolster support for the enactment of the Constitution c. Outcome i. Promising to add a bill of rights to the Constitution, Federalists won over enough anti-federalists to ratify the Constitution ii. Virginia 1. Some saw the constitution and strong central government as threats to Americas hard-won liberties. 2. The added bill of rights and other strong leaders made the win iii. Other states 1. Virginias positive vote turned NY, NC, and RI to approve Adding the Bill of Rights: Anti-Federalists wanted a bill of rights in the Constitution. Federalists did not. a. Arguments for a Bill of Rights i. Only a bill of rights could protect Americans from a tyrannical central government. b. Arguments Against the Bill of Rights i. Citizens didnt need to be protected from themselves ii. Unlisted right had the possibility of being violated iii. To win adoption of the Constitution, Federalists agreed to Bill of Rights c. First Ten Amendments: Drafted by James Madison. Protection against the abuses of power by the central government. i. First Amendment 1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition ii. Second Amendment 1. Freedom to keep and bear arms iii. Third Amendment 1. Citizens dont need to quarter soldiers iv. Fourth Amendment 1. Government cant search without good reason

v. Fifth Amendment 1. Cant be tried twice for same law. Dont have to be forced to give evidence against self. No deprivation of life, liberty, and property without due process of law vi. Sixth Amendment 1. Right to speedy trial. Right to call and question witnesses. vii. Seventh Amendment 1. Right to trial by jury viii. Eighth Amendment 1. No unreasonable bail and fines. No cruel and unusual punishment ix. Ninth Amendment 1. Just because their not listed in the constitution doesnt mean you dont have other rights too. x. Tenth Amendment 1. Anything that the Constitution doesn't say that Congress can do should be left up to the states, or to the people.