Wednesday 10/22

Today we watched a movie in class and the major points and key facts are as follows (though most of it is reveiw):

• Because the United States were barely united, equality was merely a thought. Thus, the Contitution was seen as the end of revolution and hope for the country.
• Independence was questioned, people were skeptical of equality and republicanism.
• The governement based on the people allowed ordinary and the wealthy to play a role.
• Massachusetts divided the weathy and the commoners while Pennslyvania stood for total equality.
• It took 5 years to ratify that Constitution.
• Floowig the Declaration of Independence there were celebrations of equality as many men could now hold office.
• Land Ordinane of 1785: Congress authorized surveying of new western land, marking out townships into 36 sections with equal acres. The national government sold it in auction starting at 1$ an acre.
• Equality in women and children: Children were free to marry who they wanted as adults and women taught children education and patriotism in free public schools.
• African American equality: Vermont becomes the first state to oulaw slavery in 1777. Black communities form with businesses, churches and mutual aid programs.
• Independence hurt th country financially: The US lost Britian as a primary trade source. Congress lacked the power to stop the trade wars.
• It is recognized after such conflict that the Articles of Confederation need to be revised.
• Massachusetts farmers revolt against their property going to merchants by forming a union of 1200 farmers led by Daniel Shay to Springfield, where they were met by WIlliam Shepard who quickly scatted them, killing few.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION:

• 1787 Philadelphia
• 55 wealthy, property-owning delegates
• James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan (Central National government that could regualte commerce and tax and two houses of Congree and representation by population). Known as the large state plan.
• in opposition the New Jersey Plan (more power to Congress, 1 vote per state) was perfered by the small states.
• The vote was 7-3 and resulted in a modified Virginia Plan (mroe federal power). However; small states refused to accept the plan without one-to-one representation.
• Benjamin Franklin worked out the comprimise that allowed one-to-one representation in the Senate.
• Slavery: allowed continued slave trade, slaves count for representation in Congress (but only as 3/5 of a person) and states must return escaped slaves to their owners.
• After the end of the COnvention centralizing power endangered the states and took away state power.
• Alexander Hamilton, Lames Madison and John Jay wrote the federalist papers.
• Federalists strengthen the national government with 10 new ammendments in 1791 including freedom of speech, press, religion.
• Trade reinstated with England, trade boomed.
• French Revolution began.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1800:

• Jefferson beocomes president and is thought to be "a French spy" and "power hungry"
• Federalists hand over power calmly proving that democracy works and comprimises can be met.

MARSHALL COURT:

• Adams appointed "midnight" federalist judges.
• 1803: Malbury vs. Madison
• 3 houses:
• 1. judiciary-reviews laws
• 2. congress- passes laws
• 3. supreme court- decides if they are legal against the Constitution
• Transfer of power toe republicans
• Jefferson steps down in 1809
• Westward expanision continues since 1803