The Establishments Of New Political Systems Flashcards
New Jersey Plan
Small State Plan
Plan proposing one legislative (unicameral) body for the country, with each state having one vote
Still favored a stronger central govt like Madison
Virginia Plan
The Large State Plan
During debate over the Constitution, it was the plan proposing a bicameral legislature with representative determined by proportional representation
Bicameral legislature
Proposed by Edmund Randolph and guided by James Madison (who wanted the govt divided into 3 branches: executive, judicial, and legislative)
The Great Compromise
CT plan that stated that me house of the Congress would be based on population (the House of Representatives) while in the other house all states would have equal representation (Senate)
Electoral College
Procedure for electing the president and vp of the US as outlines in the constitution
Electors from each state, not the popular vote, ultimately elect the president
3/5th Compromise
Plan (as the Constitution was being created) that states slaves would be counted as 3/5th of a free person
This was used to determine eventual membership of the House of Representatives
Implemented the use of federal troops that decreased slave revolts
Federalists
Party in the first years of the republic that favored a larger national govt
Was supported by commercial interests
Opposed by Jeffersonians (who wanted a smaller national govt)
Alien and Sedition Acts
Proposed by President John Adams
Gave president power to expel “dangerous” aliens and outlawed “scandalous” publication against the govt
Idea passed with Bill of Rights
- caused by support to aid French Revolution
- decreased Adam’s support as he ran against Thomas Jefferson
Anti-Federalists
Sometimes equated the potential tyranny of a strong central govt to the tyranny under George III
Required a Bill of Rights to protect individual rights
Washington almost never…..
Made legislative proposals
Believed it was his job to administer laws, not make them
Bill of Rights
Originally written by James Madison
Supported by Anti Federalists
Guaranteed freedom of speech, worship, bear arms
Forbade quartering troops in private homes
Said warrants were requires before searches
Citizens could not be forced to testify against themselves
Guaranteed a trial by jury
Forbade cruel and unusual punishments
Alexander Hamilton
Washington’s Secretary of Treasury
Wanted t turn America’s agrarian economy to a manufacturing based system like England
Advocate of mercantilist policies
*believed in a strong national govt with a broad constitution (Federalist)
Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Independence
Anti federalist/ Republicans (most popular in west and south)
Supported by James Madison (opposed by Alexander Hamilton)
Wanted america to remain agrarian and have industrialism as its sidekick with laissez-faire economic principles
Supported free trade (over mercantilism) in which prices were kept low
Influenced by the French Revolution, emphasizing the importance of STATES’ power
Favored strict interpretation on the Constitution
Report of Republic Credit
By Hamilton
Proposed that the US had the obligation to redeem in full all notes that had been issued by the govt est. by the AOC
* proposed a national bank that oils provide loans to developing industries
Wanted to pay off his proposals through higher tariffs and foreign imports
Opposed philosophically and practically by Jefferson and Madison but most of his ideas, besides industrial growth, were passed
* provided credit system and govt revenue
Declaration of Neitrality
Issued by Washington soon after the outbreak of the French Revolution
Allowed american merchants to prosper by trading with both sides
Most Americans sided with the revolutionaries (mostly anti federalists) until they were appalled by its violence
Whiskey Rebellion
Started by PN farmers who were inspired by the French Revolution
Opposed Hamilton’s tax on alcohol (a tax that was in fact necessary because the govt desperately needed money)
Washington gathered an army to put it out but by the time they arrived in PN, the revolt was over
Jay’s Treaty
Chief Justice John Jay
negotiation with the British who had begun searching and seizing the “abundance” of American ships trading with the French West Indies while America was supposedly neutral aka Jay’s Treaty (unpopular)
- unable to get Britain to promise not to undermine Americans at sea
- forced to comply to Britain’s right to seize French goods from American ships
- BUT got Britain to agree to some level to leave forts in the Northwest Territory
* last straw for American tolerance from France
Thomas Pinckey
Sent to negotiate with Spain
US gained navigation rights to Mississippi River and opened trade markets with Spain in the south and west
Extremely popular
John Adams
Washing tons VP
Federalist
Won electoral college votes against Jefferson in 1796 (but TJ was second for popular vote so he became VP)
Unsuccessful in office (but he’s over emphasized for succeeding Washington)
Allowed his cabinet members to make vital decisions
the XYZ Affair
Through third parties, the French Prime Minister Talleyrand, informed Americans that a bribe would have to be paid for negotiations over the sinking of American ships to begin
American diplomats didn’t pay and the public was furious
- Madison est. a navy
- potential war with France
- 2nd meeting (while Napoleon was in power) and Convention of 1800 eased tensions
KY and VA Resolves
Proclaimed states had the right to not enforce laws passed by congress that were unconstitutional (Sedition Act)
*would later be the philosophy of southern states seceding from the union
CT Plan
Proposal for a 2-house legislature, with one house based on proportional representation
Convention of 1800
French agreed to compensate the US for ships seized during the previous decade.
Example where the US was not treated as an inferior nation
Electoral college
Drafted in the original constitution
Voters approve electors, who elect the president of the US
It is possible to win the popular vote and lose the electoral college (ex. 1876- Hayes vs. Tilden and 2000- Bush vs. Gore)
