Early NationalWhat do you know?

Govt. gets its authority from the citizens.A selfless, educated citizenry.Elections should be frequent.Govt. should guarantee individual rights & freedoms.Govt.’s power should be limited [checks & balances].The need for a written Constitution.“E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of many, one”]An important role for women  raise good, virtuous citizens.[“Republican Womanhood”].Classical view of a model republicEnlightenmentThinkingThe“VirtuousRepublic”“City on a hill”[John Winthrop]Ideal citizen[Cincinnatus]Slide credit: Susan Pojer Horace Greeley HS

What should the power of government be?

Articles of Confederation National Government

Articles of ConfederationStrong pointsFirst Constitution- set in motion a nat’lgov’tPwr to the states (debatable)Gov’t closer to the pplWeak pointsCould not taxNo regulation of interstate trade Unanimous consent required in order to make changes

Adam SmithWealth of NationsArgued that social order and progress were the natural result of individualism and self-interest

John DickinsonKnown for his stance prior to the War of Independence and writing Letters From a Farmer in PennsylvaniaBelieved that a republic required virtuous people

Differences on the meaning of republicanismJohn DickinsonThe new gov’t could only succeed if people placed the good of the nation above their personal interestsAdam SmithIf a gov’t allowed independent citizens to pursue their own economic and political interests the whole nation would benefit

Something must be done.Shays’ RebellionPressure from Hamilton and MadisonDebt of the nation

Constitutional ConventionGreat Compromise HUSp.142AP1863/5ths Compromise HUSp142AP1883 branch gov’t& checks and balances

Two plans proposedJames Madison: VA PlanMore pwr to st w/ lg popsBicameral (2 house)Membership based on pop.Voters elect to lower house and who would elect members to the upperWilliam Patterson: NJ PlanBetter for smaller statesSingle house congress (unicameral)Ea state having an equal vote

The Great CompromiseProposed by Roger Sherman2 house CongressEqual representation in the Senate (each state getting 2 reps)Lower house (H. of Reps) representation based population

Federalists

Anti-Federalists