LAUNCHING A NEW REPUBLIC

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What political traditions and tensions appeared in the early years of the new republic?

SECTION 1

Washington’s Presidency

George Washington Elected First President of the USA—1789John Adams was the first V.P.

• Why isn’t North Carolina or Rhode Island shown on the map?

• Notice that there are no political parties (more on that later)

• Who actually voted in the election?

Washington was inaugurated on April 30, 1789.

The new nation’s first capital was in New York City.

How is this different today?

https://youtu.be/dIM1c3Sp-FE

Washington set many precedents as President.

A PRECEDENT is an example that becomes standard practice.

https://youtu.be/eQ_HhRZT_44

So there was a new Constitution. Did it have all of the answers for setting up a new government?.

No. For instance, there was only direction to have a Supreme Court. Congress had to figure out what that meant.John Jay was appointed Chief Justice and 5 others were named Associate Justices.

Congress set up the Federal Court System with the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789

THE CABINETA group of executive department heads that serve as the President’s chief advisors.

Washington’s Cabinet:• Vice President John

Adams• Secretary of War Henry

Knox• Secretary of State Thomas

Jefferson• Secretary of Treasury

Alexander Hamilton• Attorney General Edmund

Randolph

New Nation in Debt• The United States owed $52

million• owed money to Spain and

France for the Revolutionary War.

• owed money to Rev. War soldiers

• Hamilton felt that the US needed to payback the money to earn respect and be able to trade with other nations.

Alexander Hamilton• Believed in a strong

central government (states having less power)

• Wanted to make the US a manufacturing power.

• Fix the economy by:• Paying of war debt• Raising government

revenue• Creating a national

bank

Paying off War Debt• Hamilton also wanted to

pay off the war debt that states had accumulated• Southern states

disagreed as they would be helping the northern states

• Hamilton Worked with Jefferson to compromise

• Nation’s capital would be moved to an area more southern (between Maryland and Virginia)

Raising Government Revenue• Tariff—a tax on

foreign products and goods coming into the country.

• Hamilton liked this idea:• Raises money for

the government.• Encourages people

to buy American goods as foreign goods become more expensive

Creating a National Bank• Hamilton wanted a national

bank to give the government a safe place to keep money• Strengthens government• Provides loans to businesses

• Madison and Jefferson opposed this.• Feared partnership between

wealthy people/businesses and government

• The Constitution doesn’t mention a national bank, so the government should not create it.

HAMILTON VS. JEFFERSONWashington encouraged debate between his cabinet members, and wanted to stay above the arguments.

However Hamilton and Jefferson had big differences.

HAMILTON VS. JEFFERSON Hamilton:

Loose interpretation of the Constitution

“Elastic Clause” allows Congress to do what is “necessary and proper” to run the country.

Jefferson: Constitution should

be followed strictly. If it is not specified

in the Constitution, Congress and the President can not do it.

SECTION 2

Challenges to the New Government

2 CRISES DEMONSTRATE NEW GOVERNMENT’S POWER

Whiskey Rebellion (1794): National government passes tax

to pay off debt. Whiskey is taxed Small farmers are hit hardest by

this tax and petition government, later commit violent acts

Washington sends troops

2 CRISES DEMONSTRATE NEW GOVERNMENT’S

POWER Conflict over western land:

Native Americans attempt to form alliance

Little Turtle defeats American forces

Mad Anthony Wayne wins the Battle of the Fallen Timbers

Treaty of Greenville (1795)

FOREIGN CRISES AFFECT AMERICA

US relies of foreign trade France, Britain, The Netherlands and Spain

French Revolution France bankrupt from helping US gain

independence French people rebel against their king European monarchs do not want to see this idea

spread France declares war on England, Austria, and Spain

FOREIGN CRISES AFFECT AMERICA

US is asked to take sides Britain is US largest trading partner France is trying to become like the US—a Republic

More arguing in Washington’s cabinet Jefferson wants US to help new French government

Stopping the revolution is an attack on liberty everywhere

Hamilton was afraid that backing France would hurt trade with Britain

Washington declares neutrality Sets precedent to not interfere with other’s wars Jefferson resigns

FOREIGN CRISES AFFECT AMERICA Britain harasses American trade

Britain is seizes cargoes of ships taking goods toFrance/French Indies British forts still active in the Frontier

Jay’s Treaty (with Great Britain, 1794) Chief Justice John Jay negotiates treaty with Britain. Britain Pays damages for seized ships and cargo Britain agrees to leave Ohio Valley Treaty does not open up more trade for US Treaty has trouble passing both houses of Congress

Pinkney’s Treaty (with Spain ,1795) Establishes 38th Parallel as border (Florida) Opens up trade on Mississippi and New Orleans

SUMMARY QUESTION

How did crises in Europe create challenges for the new American Government?

SECTION 3

The Federalists in Charge

WASHINGTON STEPS DOWN Washington Retires

2 terms in office was enough. “Father of our Country” Was criticized for not supporting

French Revolution Farewell Address

Published in newspapers Warns of “entangling alliances”. Urges Americans not to become

divided over political disagreements.

GROWTH OF POLITICAL PARTIES What is a political party?

Groups of people with similar ideologies.

Support candidates for public office Democratic-Republicans

Thomas Jefferson & James Madison Feared government being to strong

Federalist Alexander Hamilton& John Adams Supported manufacturers and

merchants

ELECTION OF 1796 First election with political parties Adams and Jefferson run against

each other. Adams wins with 71 votes—

President Jefferson 2nd with 68 votes—V.P.

TENSIONS WITH FRANCE Washington left office on the brink

of war with France France starts seizing American ships Federalists want war, Adams wants to

negotiate peace. XYZ Affair

Unnamed French officials want $10 million loan and $250K bribe to continue negotiations

Congress cancels all treaties with France. Expansion of military

ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS Democratic-Republicans angry about treatment of France

Many write articles criticizing Adams and Congress. Support candidates for public office

Alien and Sedition Acts Targeted Aliens (immigrants not yet citizens)

Longer waiting period for citizenship Could be arrested or deported

Attempted to silence criticism Accused critics of Sedition—encouraging of rebellion 10 Newspaper editors arrested and convicted for having opinions “damaging

to the government” FIRST AMENDMENT?

NULLIFICATION Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Jefferson and Madison did not like the attacks against the First Amendment.

States Rights—Federal government can not over rule some acts of the states.

Nullification—a state can over rule an act of Congress that is unconstitutional.

Alien and Sedition Acts violated principle of checks and balances and First Amendment

ADAMS AND FEDERALISTS HAVE SHORT REIGN

Adams renews negotiations with France Agreements to stop naval attacks Federalists angry at Adams

Adams is first president to rule from Washington, DC.

Angry Americans Democrat-Republicans win control of Congress Jefferson defeats Adams in next election

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What political traditions and tensions appeared in the early years of the new republic?