Class Summary 9.25.12

Yesterday, September 24, 2012, we dissected and interpreted the Bill of Rights. This document was constructed in response to the state's demands after the Constitution was sent out for ratification. They were the sole reason states like Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia agreed to the ratification of the document. Its purpose is to protect the people from the power of the national government, and also to limit the power of the new national government. Then in small groups we investigated a hypothetical case regarding citizens rights in order to more familiarize ourselves with the ten amendments and be able to understand our rights more clearly. Today, September 25, 2012, we learned about the first party system of the United States. On one hand, there was the Federalists founded by Alexander Hamilton started in the early 1790's. Members were primarily wealthy businessmen, and wanted a physically and militarily strong nation in order to support their careers, mainly trading. They had no interest in State rights, but focused greatly on a strong, central, national government. Viewed as aristocrats and unsympathetic, by some they got the nickname, "loose constructionists" as they believed in laws not established in the constitution, such as the "elastic clause." On the other side of the isle is the Democratic - Republicans founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison; it was the dominant political party in the country starting in 1800. They firmly believed that the people should have the power through the government which is closest to them, meaning the states. They were known as the "strict constructionists," as they did not believe in anything that was not outlined in the Constitution. It was very fitting as most members were farmers and landowners who had no need for a strong, national government.