The Handy American History Answer Book. David L. Hudson
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the new Constitution. However, at a meeting in Richmond, Patrick Henry said that they must accept defeat: “As true and faithful republicans [honorable citizens] you had all better go home.”
Many Anti-Federalists became supporters of the new government. For example, Anti-Federalist Elbridge Gerry, who refused to sign the Convention, later became James Madison’s vice president.
Why were the first ten amendments—the Bill of Rights—added to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in part because many people wanted to ensure themselves protection from the new, strong federal government created by the new Constitution. The two leading political parties of the time were the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. The Federalists generally supported a very strong central government; the Anti-Federalists showed more concern for the rights of individual state governments. The issue of the Bill of Rights was not a huge issue at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 when the Constitution was created. Representative George Mason raised the issue, but it was quickly defeated.
However, the Bill of Rights became a huge political issue during the ratification debates in certain states. Eventually, supporters of the Constitution and ratification in a few states were able to secure ratification of the new Constitution only by promising that there would soon be the addition of a Bill of Rights.
What member of the House is sometimes called “the Father of the Bill of Rights”?
James Madison (1751–1836), fourth president of the United States, served in the U.S. House of Representatives for his home state of Virginia from 1789 until 1797. On June 8, 1789, Madison introduced in the House his proposals for amending the U.S. Constitution—creating a so-called Bill of Rights. This speech earned Madison the moniker “Father of the Bill of Rights.” Madison sought to introduce measures which would provide a degree of individual freedom for the people from infringements by the government. Madison believed that a Bill of Rights would increase popularity for the new federal government and the U.S. Constitution. In his speech, Madison referred to the provisions in his proposed Bill of Rights as “the great rights of mankind.” Madison’s speech is one of the most significant in American history.
James Madison, who later became the country’s fourth president, was a key player in the Philadelphia Convention and in the writing of the Constitution. He is often thought of as the “Father of the Bill of Rights.”
Where did Madison look for possible proposals that eventually became included in the Bill of Rights?
Madison compiled a list of various proposals from various state constitutions. Many states had a section similar to the eventual Bill of Rights. Some of these sections were called Declarations of Rights.
Isn’t it true that the original Constitution (before the Bill of Rights) was already a bill of rights?
There is some credence to the argument that the Constitution as it existed before the Bill of Rights already was a type of bill of rights. For example, the Constitution prohibited Congress or state legislatures from passing bills of attainder or ex post facto laws. Bills of attainder are laws that target a specific group of people, while ex post facto laws are laws that make something a crime after the fact.
Furthermore, the Constitution prohibits Congress from suspending a writ of habeas corpus except in very limited situations, such as war. Another provision of the Constitution prohibits individuals in political office from having to take religious tests to qualify for office. All of these provisions in the body of the Constitution do provide a measure of individual freedom—similar to what the Bill of Rights does.
Who were the original members of President Washington’s Cabinet?
Washington sought to form a group of key advisors to assist him in leading the new federal government. He chose Alexander Hamilton as secretary of the treasury, Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state, Henry Knox as secretary of war (present-day secretary of defense), Edmund Randolph as attorney general, and Samuel Osgood as postmaster general. Congress approved of these executive branch agencies.Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, and Randolph regularly counseled Washington on a wide range of matters. As postmaster general, Osgood did not participate in those discussions.
What two members of Washington’s Cabinet disagreed mightily over many issues?
Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed mightily over many issues. Their disagreements in part contributed to the rise of the two-party political system in the United States. Hamilton was a Federalist, the party that generally favored a very strong central government and tended to ally with Great Britain. Jefferson became a Democratic-Republican, which favored a less powerful central government and tended to ally with France. Hamilton favored a strong fiscal policy, including the creation of the National Bank. Jefferson viewed the measure as an unconstitutional grab of power by the federal government. The only thing Hamilton and Jefferson seemingly could agree on was their mutual affinity for President Washington.
What did Washington think of political parties?
Washington disfavored political parties, believing they would create discord in the country. In his farewell address upon leaving office, he warned the country that political parties “are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government.” He warned that partisan politics and different political factions could create a “frightful despotism” for the country.
How did Washington contribute to the tradition of executive privilege?
In 1796, the House of Representatives demanded to see administration documents concerning the Jay Treaty. Washington refused to hand over the documents, reasoning that only the Senate—not the House—is responsible for the ratification of treaties. Washington’s act of refusing to comply with the House’s demands is seen as a precursor to the concept of executive privilege.
When was the Washington Monument built?
The Washington Monument, the tallest building in the nation’s capital, was built between 1848 and 1884. The monument, inspired by the shape of an Egyptian obelisk, stands 555 feet and 5/8 inches tall. Marble, granite, and blue gneiss were used in its construction.
It remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington, D.C.
What was the Jay Treaty?
The Jay Treaty was a treaty with Great Britain that the United States signed in 1794 during Washington’s second term. At the time, British troops remained stationed in the American Northwest in defiance of the Treaty of Paris, the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War. Great Britain claimed the Americans had not paid back all pre-Revolutionary debts. Also, British ships were blocking American merchant vessels in the Caribbean in an attempt to stem American trade with France. Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to negotiate a treaty with British officials. The resulting agreement was known as the Jay Treaty. The British agreed to remove their troops from the Ohio frontier. America’s debts would be settled by arbitration. The British received most favored nation status for trading. Though criticized, the treaty—which was in effect for ten years—prevented an American-British conflict until the War of 1812.
What was the “Whiskey Rebellion”?
The Whiskey Rebellion was an uprising among many grain farmers in western Pennsylvania. They objected to the Whiskey Act