creating the “virtuous republic” the presidencies of george washington, john adams, and thomas...
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Creating the “Virtuous Republic”
The Presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson
1789-1803
Creating the “Virtuous Republic”
1. Govt. gets its authority from the citizens.
2. A selfless, educated citizenry.
3. Elections should be frequent.
4. Govt. should guarantee individual rights & freedoms.
5. Govt.’s power should be limited [checks & balances].
6. The need for a written Constitution.
7. “E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of many, one”]
8. An important role for women raise good, virtuous citizens.[“Republican Womanhood”].
Class
ical
view
of
a m
odel
republic
Enlightenment
Thinking
The“VirtuousRepublic”
Ideal citizen
[Cincinnatus]“City
on a hill”
[John W
inthrop]
Washington is elected
Asked to serve as president in 1789
Reluctant leader
Judiciary Act of 1789 Why?
Needed to define court system established by Constitution.
Supreme Court
Chief Justice
5 associates
3 Federal Circuit Courts
13 federal district courts
Section 25
Allowed State court decisions to appeal to federal courts
Cabinet
3 initial Departments
State: Foreign Affairs
Thomas Jefferson
War: Military Affairs
Henry Knox
Treasury: Financial Affairs
Alexander Hamilton
Cabinet Members
Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Hamilton’s Views Jefferson’s Views
Concentrate power in federal government
Share power with state & local government
Republic led by a well educated few
Democracy of virtuous farmers & trades people
Loose interpretation of Constitution
Strict interpretation of Constitution
Favors National Bank Anti-National Bank
Later called Dem.-Republicans
Today’s Democrats
Bank of the United States
Controversial!
Tied wealthy investors to government
Opponents stated the Constitution had no provision to allow government to create Bank
“Loose” vs. “Strict”
“Elastic Clause” (pg 158)
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18
Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Resolve Debt
2/3 Federal:
Foreign & Private Citizens War Bonds
1/3 State
Pay Off Foreign Debt
Assume State’s Debts
Needed State support for government
Issue New Bonds to pay Citizens Back
Debt Bill Southern states upset most had paid back debt did
not want to pay taxes to pay off Northern debt
Compromise to allow Hamilton’s economic plan to pass
Capital moved to Washington, DC to get southern states to agree to Debt bill
Foreign Relations 1. The French Revolution
Views:
Democrat Republicans
Federalists
President Washington
Jefferson resigns his post in 1793
2. Spain Pickney’s Treaty
3. England The Jay Treaty
Whiskey Rebellion 2 causes
Protective Tariff instituted on imported goods from Europe
Excise Tax on domestic manufactured whiskey
Effect
Western frontiersmen rebel
Were met by 15,000 militia men led by Washington & Hamilton
Demonstrated Federal Government’s power
Issues with Native Americans
Battle of Fallen Timbers, 1792
Treaty of Grenville
John Adams1796-1800
Election of 1796 Washington does
not run for a 3rd term
The issue of the 1796 election
Early Troubles for a New Nation
Domestic Foreign
Judiciary Act 1789 Pickney Treaty w/ Spain
Eliminating Debt Battle of Fallen Timbers
Establishing a National Bank Jay’s Treaty
Whiskey Rebellion XYZ Affair
Creation of 2-party politics Alien & Sedition Acts
“XYZ” Affair - 1798 Jay Treaty leads to increased tensions with France
Adams sends 3 diplomats to French foreign minister
Instead, diplomats see 3 low-level officials Adams refers to as “Agent X, Y, Z” in report to Congress
Diplomats demand $250,000 to see Foreign Minister
Scandal becomes known as XYZ Affair
Effect:
Great Anti-French sentiments
Creation of Navy department
George Washington comes out of retirement to head 50,000 troops
Alien & Sedition Acts -1798
Alien & Sedition Acts vs. Virginia & Kentucky Resolution
Alien & Sedition Acts
Raised residence acts for American citizenship to 14 years
President could deport any undesirable
Set fines/jail terms for anyone expressing “false, scandalous, or malicious statements” against government
Virginia & Kentucky Resolution were reaction
Allowed state governments to nullify – consider void – any act of Congress they felt unconstitutional
Thomas Jefferson
1800-1810
Election of 1800 Adams & Pinckney
(Federalists)
Jefferson & Burr (Dem.-Republicans)
Dem.-Republicans win
However, Jefferson & Burr tie with electoral votes
Expose Flaw in system
Election of 1800 Tally
Jefferson
Burr
Adams
Pinckney
Jay
Effects of Election of 1800
2 distinct political parties
12th Amendment
Electors cast separate ballots for president & vice-president
Defined American political system still used today
Jeffersonian Presidency
Simplifying the presidency
Reduced the government
Cut costs
Reduced army & navy
Eliminated internal taxes
Reduced role of National bank
Favored Free Trade
Replaced Federalist judges with Dem-Repub ones
Foreign Policy
Marbury vs. Madison - 1803
Result of Judiciary Act of 1801
Adams packed court w/ Midnight Judges
Why?
Supreme Court ruled “Midnight Judges” were unconstitutional
Why?
Set precedent of judicial review What is this?
Louisiana Purchase Causes:
Spain gives land to France
France decides not to pursue American empire
Napoleon sells land for 15 million
Effects:
Doubles America’s size
Lewis & Clark appointed to lead expedition of new territory
Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase doubled US size Lewis & Clark exploration
Publicity Stunt Gone Wrong
Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel
Long standing hatred of each other
July 11, 1804, Burr and Hamilton toss dice to see who goes first Hamilton shoots, but shoots in the air
Burr shoots Hamilton right in the chest
Hamilton’s death further weakens the Federalist Party presence in Congress