Constitution and StatehoodChapter 7

A New ConstitutionLesson 1

A New Government for New York

When the colonists declared independence n 1776, New Yorkers no longer viewed themselves as belonging to the British.

New Yorkers elected representatives, people chosen to speak for others. They included John Jay, a lawyer from NYC.

1777 – representatives met in Kingston to make a state constitution – a written plan of government.

New York State Constitution

Signed on April 20, 1777States New Yorkers had important

rights that could not be taken away. Ex: following their own religions and

a trial by jury.

New York’s First Elected Officials

June 1777 – George Clinton is elected to be the first governor of NYS. He served for 21 years.

A state legislature – lawmaking body – was also elected.

Only white men with property could vote and be members of legislature.

Forming the National Government: The Articles of Confederation

The Continental Congress wrote the Articles of Confederation during the Revolution.

The Articles created a weak central government for the U.S. with no main leader and a Congress with very little power.

Goal: The founding fathers wanted a weak government because they feared the people’s rights being taken away.

The Articles Fail

Mid-1780’s – the weak government was a problem because the 13 states were not working together.

It looked like the U.S. would fail if a change was not made.

The Constitution Replaces the ArticlesMay 1787 – Constitutional

Convention was held. It was a meeting of representatives from the different states in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Goal: Improve the government. Solution: the United States

Constitution was written as a plan of government.

September 17, 1787 – Constitution was signed.

The U.S. Constitution: Structure

Begins with Preamble (introduction) with words “We the People.” It states the goals of the Constitution. Goals: to form a strong nation,

protect people’s freedom, and improve people’s lives.

The document goes on to describe the plan for governing the U.S.

The Branches of U.S. Government

Three branches (parts) to make sure there is a balance of power (checks and balances) so none of the branches becomes too powerful.

Executive Branch

PresidentDuties: makes treaties, commands

armed forces, and acts as head of state.

Judicial Branch

Federal CourtsDuties: interpret meaning of

Constitution, interprets federal laws

Legislative

CongressDuties: Makes laws, sets taxes,

borrows money declares war

Ratifying the Constitution The Constitution required 9 of the 13

states to approve it for it to pass. Critics worried it would give the central

government too much power. John Jay and Alexander Hamilton

supported the Constitution and raised support in NY.

July 26, 1788 – NY becomes the 11th state to approve of the Constitution.

The Bill of Rights

1791 – Bill of Rights is a list of 10 amendments, or additions, to the Constitution.

Goal: to protect the rights of the people so they cannot be taken by the government.

Other amendments would be added to the Constitution with time.

Bill of Rights (Cont)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efKy4J81PTg

See page 202 of textbook for list.

United State Elects a President

1789 – George Washington was elected the first President.

Martha Washington was the nation’s first First Lady.

New York City was the capital – a city where the government meets.

April 30, 1789 – Washington took the oath to “protect and defend” the Constitution.

Important New Yorkers1790 – capital moved from NY to

Philadelphia. New Yorkers John Jay and Alexander

Hamilton were picked for important jobs by President Washington.

John Jay was the chief justice (head judge) of the Supreme Court.

Alexander Hamilton was the secretary of the treasury. He was in charge of the nation's money.

Early New York StateLesson 2

Meeting at Big Tree From 1780 to 1800 the number of people in New

York State jumped from 200,000 to 600,000 and young people realized they would have to move to find land.

New Yorkers wanted the land in western NY inhabited by Iroquois.

Red Jacket, a Seneca leader, did not want to sell land but knew the Iroquois were not strong enough to resist.

1797 – Meeting at Big Tree (Geneseo) the Seneca agreed to sell most the land for $100,000 and keep the rest for Iroquois Reservations.

New Yorkers Move West

Utica was an important town because it was the start of the Genesee Road, which led to New York’s western frontier (the edge of a settled area).

Early 1800s – New Yorkers traveled the Genesee road west to New York’s frontier and cleared farmland.

Result: Central and western New York became important farming regions for New York State.

Two New Cities

Buffalo and Rochester were founded in the early 1800s.

They were founded along the Genesee Road.

Buffalo

Today Buffalo is New York’s second largest city.

Used to be a Seneca village on Buffalo Creek. Joseph Hodge is believed to have been the

first non-Native American settler. 1780s - He escaped slavery and opened a store

to trade with the Seneca families. Joseph Ellicott was a surveyor (a person who

maps land). 1803 – He began drawing a plan of Buffalo city.

Buffalo became an important trading center because of its location on Lake Erie.

Rochester

Today Rochester is New York’s third largest city. Founded were Genesee River flows into Lake

Ontario. Important because the fast flowing water is a good

source of power. Result: water powered mills built to cut wood and

grind wheat into flour. 1803 – Nathaniel Rochester bought land on

Genesee River and people began to move to the new town.

1817 – town was originally named Rochesterville.

The War of 1812

Background: NYC continued to grow while new towns were founded and trade continued with Europe. Trouble arose when Britain and France went to war in the early 1800s.

Causes of the War: Britain blockaded American trade with

France and other European countries. British boarded American ships and

kidnapped American sailors. They forced them to fight in the British navy. Americans began to rally saying “Free trade and sailors’ rights!”

The War of 1812

1812 – U.S. declares war on Britain. Many battles were fought in New York. 1813 – British attacked Buffalo and set the town on

fire. The one house that was not burned down belonged to

Margaret St. John who was the only inhabitant who refused to leave her home when the British marched in.

1814 – Battle of Plattsburgh British tried to sail from Canada into New York on Lake

Champlain. Americans at Plattsburgh did not allow it and defeated

the British.

The War Ends

1815 – fighting ended Effects of the War:

Neither side won the war but the war proved the United States was a formidable force and could stand on its own.

The Empire State

1820 – New York had grown to have the largest population of all the states.

It’s official nickname became the Empire State because George Washington has called it the “Seat of the Empire.”