THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS: THE COMPROMISE OF 1790
  • Home
  • Background
    • Political
    • Funding the Debt >
      • The Debt Crises
      • Debt Discrimination
      • Assumption
    • Residence
    • Timeline
  • The Compromise
    • Key Actors
    • The Dinner
    • Following Through >
      • Relocating the Capital
  • Averting Political Crises
  • Economic Legacy
    • Jefferson's Account
  • Precedent
  • Resources
    • Interviews
    • Boston Athenaeum

Political Context

Picture

With its ratification in 1788, the United States Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation as the supreme law of the land.
Picture
Erection of the Eleventh Federal Pillar, The Centinel, August 2, 1788 (Library of Congress).
Picture
The Articles of Confederation (Library of Congress).
Picture
The United States Constitution (National Archives).

Despite this promising transition, the political future of the U.S. seemed uncertain. Many Americans still opposed the new constitution and were ready to attack it at the soonest sign of weakness.
Anti-Federalist newspaper article, The Worcester Magazine, Massachusetts, February 7, 1788 (Newsbank).
Anti-Federalist newspaper article, The Worcester Magazine, Massachusetts, February 7, 1788 (Newsbank).
Picture
George Mason by Albert Rosenthal, 1888 (Library of Congress).
"This Government will set out a moderate Aristocracy: it is at present impossible to foresee whether it will, in its operation, produce a Monarchy, or a corrupt tyrannical Aristocracy; it will most probably vibrate some years between the two, and then terminate in the one or the other."[3] 
- George Mason, Anti-Federalist, June 18, 1788

Political and sectional divisions became increasingly apparent with the formation of the nation’s first two parties: the Democratic-Republicans​ and Federalists.

Democratic-Republicans vs. Federalists

Picture
(Sutori.com)
Picture
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans fight as George Washington looks on from heaven, 1800 (The Ohio State University).
Next - Assumption
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Background
    • Political
    • Funding the Debt >
      • The Debt Crises
      • Debt Discrimination
      • Assumption
    • Residence
    • Timeline
  • The Compromise
    • Key Actors
    • The Dinner
    • Following Through >
      • Relocating the Capital
  • Averting Political Crises
  • Economic Legacy
    • Jefferson's Account
  • Precedent
  • Resources
    • Interviews
    • Boston Athenaeum