Conflict and American Independence, 1754–1800

It ended the American Revolutionary War.

It abolished slavery.

It replaced the weaker Articles of Confederation.

It initiated the westward expansion.

It elects the President and Vice President.

It determines who will serve in Congress.

Validates state electoral results for nationwide accuracy.

Supervises voting procedures during national elections.

To enforce the return of escaped slaves, strengthened Southern claims to property rights, and deepened divisions between Northern abolitionist sentiments.

Increased presence of Federal marshals in Northern cities, which angered locals who saw it as an intrusion on their personal freedoms and civil liberties.

Required accused fugitives to face trial without a jury and testimony, raising concerns about the lack of due process and citizen's rights.

Prompted the rise of vigilance committees in the North aimed at protecting African Americans from potential kidnappers, enhancing regional distrust and resentment.

Thomas Jefferson

James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

George Washington

It stipulated an excessive check on executive power.

It allowed too much power to state governments.

It proposed too weak a central government.

It lacked a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Their advocacy judicial restraint led appointment first justices who favored narrowing interpretation delegated powers.

They secured promises for a Bill Rights which would safeguard individual liberties against central authority excesses.

They forced revision via Article V conventions repealing certain provisions including supremacy clause.

They were instrumental establishing precedent Senate approval before presidential appointments being finalized.

It facilitates direct voting on legislation by citizens in all states.

It ensures a balanced representation between states and population.

It centralizes legislative authority into a single body.

It divides the nation into independent governing regions.

It led to immediate tax reforms under the Articles that better supported war veterans like Daniel Shays.

It highlighted weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, leading to calls for a stronger central government.

It directly resulted in an amendment process for future changes to governmental structure.

It established judicial review as part of checks and balances within the new government framework.

Secretary of State

Speaker of the House

Chief Justice of Supreme Court

Vice President

It introduced the concept of judicial override, whereby courts nullify legislative actions deemed unconstitutional.

It abolished any form of monarchy, solidifying republicanism as the sole framework for governing.

It decentralized power, allowing sovereign states to operate independently under a loose confederation.

It established a bicameral legislature, balancing the interests of both populous and smaller states through the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.