I.Articles of Confederation, 1781-1789
     A.Who was 1st President of U.S.?
          1.Fourteen presidents before Washington
          2.So What?
     B.Nature of New US Government
          1.Anti-Aristocratic
          2.FWM21 Democratic base
          3.Very limited govt, no tax, no courts, no laws, no
          capitol
          4.Unable to stop internal or external subversion or
          violence
     C.Only the French remain our allies
     D.Shays's Rebellion: interior against coast,1787
          1.Eastern businessmen control supply of goods to
          interior
          2.Eastern businessmen fix prices, control land deals
          3.Rising sentiment for new constitution
     E.Widespread rebellion against Federal & State Governments
     F:Vermont secedes, negotiates with Britain to join Canada
     G."Nation of Franklin" declares independence, but defeated
II.The U.S. Constitution, 1789
     A.Drawn up by Enlightenment intellectuals
     B.Provides for strong federal government
          1.Executive, Legislative, Judicial
          2.Checks and Balances
     C.Many oppose the new Constitution (P. Henry, S. Adams)
          1.Compromise: Bill of Rights
                 a.Guarantees rights against government encroachment
                 b.Restraining order on Federal Government
                      1."Congress shall make no laws ..."
                      2.BoR does not *give* rights, but protects them
          2.Women & Slaves barely mentioned, slavery protected
III.The Federalist Era, 1789-1800
     A.Federalists want continued links with England
          1.Aristocratic & conservative in tone
          2.Contemptuous of popular sovereignty
     B.Democratic-Republicans want continued links with France
          1.Populist & revolutionary in tone
          2.Suspicious of too much government
IV.Continuing Issues, 1789-Present
     A.Nullification, Federal Intrustion, Taxation, Education
     B.Centrally Planned Society vs Individual Rights
     C.Free Speech, Firearms, Privacy, Freedom of Association
     D.Anti-religious govt: Religion tolerated, but not respected