THE NEW NATION

The New Nation:

I.                                Creating the Constitution

A.                 Context:

Shay’s Rebellion: 1786

B.                 Constitutional Convention

Structural Features:  Three Branches:

Key Concepts:

a. Federalism

1. Virginia Plan

(TWO HOUSES, BASED ON POP.)

2. New Jersey Plan

(ONE HOUSE, ONE VOTE PER STATE)

3. Connecticut Plan

(THE GREAT COMPROMISE)

b. Democracy:

c. Liberty:

"Liberty is to be free from restraint and violence from others." Locke

--Locke helped Americans envision the attainment of natural rights.

"Men by nature are free, equal, and independent." Rousseau, The Social Contract 1762

"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains."

d. Limited government

e. Equality: belief in an equal chance at life

f. Civic Duty: perfect society has a price

II.                             Ratification of the Constitution

--by July of 1788, 10 of 13 had ratified the Constitution.

--by 1790, all 13 had ratified.

PROTECTING LIBERTY:

The Bill of Rights…

III.                           First Party System:

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

                        Hamilton                       vs.        Jefferson

                              Ham: People are “ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious…and seldom

judge or determine right.”

IV.                          Election of 1796: (Adams)         Alien and Sedition Acts