Government and Party Politics

1. Government and Party Politics Chapter 6: Section 1

2. Objectives • A. Describe the steps Washington’s administration took to build the federal government • B. Analyze Hamilton’s plans for the economy and the opposition to them • C. Explain how a two party system emerged in the new nation

3. Focus Question • How did debate over the role of government lead to the formation of political parties?

4. Why it Matters! • In 1789, federal leaders of government met in NYC • They had a newly ratified constitution • Still had flaws • Clarity was not necessarily evident throughout the entirety of the Constitution • People still fearful • Failures/mistakes could hinder the success of their new government

5. Building the Federal Government • Big problem • $52 million debt from the Confederation • Farm economy • Only 3 million people • No navy • Army only had about 400 men • No respect from other countries

6. Electing a President • In 1789, George Washington elected as President • Reluctance • Wanted to retire • Duty to his country outweighed personal desires • John Adams of MA • Vice President • Very small number of officials in administration • Very few rules • Washington sets precedents

7. Setting up the Judiciary • Congress left to organize federal court system • Madison helped pass Judiciary Act of 1789 • Act established a judiciary, or system of courts • 13 federal district courts (1 per state) • 3 circuit courts hear appeals from state courts • 6 member Supreme Court would decide contested cases • Act also established the office of Attorney General

8. Setting up the Cabinet • Formation of cabinet • One of Washington’s most important acts • Cabinet group of federal leaders who headed major departments of executive branch and advised the President • Officially recognized in 1907 • First 4 Executive Departments • 1. State • 2. Treasury • 3. War • 4. Attorney General

9. 4 Executive Departments • State • Led by Thomas Jefferson • Took care of foreign policy • Treasury • Led by Alexander Hamilton • Managed national finances • War • Supervised national defense • Attorney General • Prosecute and defend cases on behalf of federal government

10. QUESTION • Why was setting up the cabinet an important precedent?

11. Handling the National Debt

12. Hamilton’s Strategy • 3 Great Benefits from his system • Establish nation’s financial credibility • It would buy political support • It would enrich investors • Promote accumulation of capital needed for commercial and industrial growth

13. Redistributing Wealth • Part of Hamilton’s plan • 2 ways • 1. farmers merchants • 2. south north • 80% of nation’s debt was owed to merchants in seaport cities of Northeast

14. Debt Relief • Merchants purchased notes in 1780s • Paid only a fraction of the cost • Hamilton proposed paying them at full value • Merchants profit • In order to pay off debts, government would tax American people (mainly farmers) • Why did Hamilton want to add to the national debt?

15. Opposition to Hamilton • Opposition grew in the south • South did not want to be taxed to pay out north • Mostly agricultural in south

16. Interpreting the Constitution • Hamilton interpreted Constitution loosely • Relied in its “implied powers” at its clause empowering Congress to enact laws for the “general welfare” • Madison and Jefferson • Favored “strict construction”, limited the federal government to powers explicitly granted by the Constitution • Opposed taking on state debts • Feared national bank would benefit north at expense of the south

17. Compromise • Jefferson said that Hamilton’s system, “flowed from principles adverse to liberty and … calculated to undermine and demolish the republic • Jefferson and Madison insisted he was betraying the American Revolution to establish a “kingly government” • Great Britain • Congress voted to fund federal debt • Excise taxes, creation of national bank

18. Compromise • Hamilton promised to move capital • Banks of Potomac River, between Maryland and Virginia • Honor Washington • Washington, District of Columbia

19. Whisky Rebellion • Western PA interference with mountains • Distilled grain whisky • Excise tax • 1794, farmers resisted tax • Whisky Rebellion • Demonstrate power of new nation • 12,000 militiamen

20. Whisky Rebellion

21. Question • On what grounds did some people oppose Hamilton’s plan?

22. 2 Party System • Whisky Rebellion highlighted the growing division in American politics • Washington and Hamilton sought to secure its power and authority • Jefferson and Madison opposition

23. Political Parties Compete • Formation of Two distinct parties • Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans

24. Debating Whisky Rebellion • Outcome fueled disagreement • Federalists (Hamilton) blamed rebellion, in part, on a set of political clubs known as Democratic societies • Clubs opposed Federalists • Jefferson and Madison defended clubs • Feared aristocracy would triumph if leaders were immune from constant public scrutiny and criticism • Surprised at large number of troops

25. Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans • Federalists • Alexander Hamilton • Favored a strong centralized government • Wanted to economy on industry and trade • Were pro-British • Supported a loose construction of the Constitution • Democratic Republicans • Thomas Jefferson • Thought states should have more power • Wanted to base economy on farming • Were pro-French • Supported a strict construction of the Constitution

26. Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans • Northerners favored federalists • Especially merchants • Southerners favored Democratic Republicans • Especially farmers • The first 2 Presidents, most of the governors, state legislators, and congressmen were Federalists • Indicates views of voters • DRa fear that Federalists would concentrate on wealth and power • Many voters also believed that the DRP offered more social mobilty

27. Question • What party do you believe possibly offered more social mobility?