The federalist Republic

1. The federalist Republic

2. President George Washington

3. President George Washington • Had no desire to be President (wanted to retire to Mt. Vernon) • He was the only president elected unanimously by the Electoral College (30 April 1789) • New York City was the temporary national capitol

4. President George Washington • 1st time a gov tried based on Enlightenment ideas • Washington’s relationship with Congress was based on trial and error • Constitution NOT a detailed blueprint for governing • The Bill of Rights was drafted during his first term in office • James Madison was the chief proponent of the bill

5. Problems George Washington faced as first president of the United States: • Needed to help form a strong, stable government. • Needed to raise money for the government. • Needed to provide for defense [with no precedent] John AdamsVice President(Federalist) • Washington’s Cabinet:to make policies, carry out Congress’s laws • Most of the major arguments occurred between Adams, Jefferson, and Hamilton Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State(Anti-Federalist) Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury(Federalist) Henry Knox Secretary of War(Independent) Edmund Randolph Attorney General(Federalist)

6. President George Washington • Census of 1790 • Conducted to see how the electoral college and representatives needed to be shifted based on population • Economically, the North began to focus on industry and textiles • The South focused and tied itself to cotton production • Overall, the total population in the U.S. was slightly under 4 million

7. Judiciary Act of 1789 • Constitution authorized Congress to set up court system – no details • JA1789 – judicial structure we still use today (mostly): • Supreme Court – Chief Justice, 5 Assoc. Justices • 3 Federal Circuit Courts • 13 Federal District Courts • [# of justices & courts has increased over time] • S. 25 – state court decisions appealed to fed. Courtwhen Constitutional issues raised • Guaranteed federal laws remained “Supreme Law of the Land”(Art. VI)

8. Contrasting Views of Federal Government Hamilton Jefferson • Sharing power w/ state & local gov.; limited national power • Fear of absolute power or ruler • Democracy of virtuous farmers and tradespeople • Strict interpretation of Constitution • National bank unconstitutional • Agriculture-based economy • Payment of ONLY the national debt (favoring debtors) • Supporters: the “plain people” (farmers, tradespeople) • Concentrating power in Fed Gov • Feared “mob rule” • Republic led by well-ed. elite • Loose interpretation of Constitution • National Bank Constitutional • Economy based on shipping/manuf. • Payment of Nat'l & State debts (favoring creditors) • Supporters: merchants, manufacturers, landowners, investors, lawyers, clergy

9. Alexander Hamilton’s Economic Plan • AoC = terrible economic times • Plan – Favor wealthier groups w/ fiscal policy; wealthier groups will then give government their monetary and political support • Intended Result – New Gov thrives, propertied classes gain wealth, wealth trickles down to masses.

10. Alexander Hamilton’s Economic Plan ECONOMIC VIABILITY • Establish Creditworthiness (Public Confidence in Gov.) • Urge Congress to “fund” the entire national debt at par & assume debts incurred by the states during the Am. Rev. • Funding at Par: Fed. Gov. pays off its debts @ face value + interest ($54 mil) • States’ Debts = $21.5 mil • WHY? • Shift attention of wealthy creditors from state to nat’lgov. • Support of rich very important for SCG • Proper obligation of nat’lgov to pay state debts (for the war!) • Would make states beholden to nat’lgov

11. Alexander Hamilton’s Economic Plan ECONOMIC VIABILITY • Results: • Gov’t bonds decreased in value (10-15 cents on dollar) • Speculators/rich bought them off farmers, war vets, widows • S. hated assumption of state debts • Thought they would be taxed to pay N. state debts • MD, PA, NC, VA had already paid off war debts, didn’t want to “help” pay for states like MA & SC

12. Alexander Hamilton’s Economic Plan • To get S. votes, Hamilton enters a compromise with Jefferson: New Capital (the District of Columbia) will be build in S. on banks of Potomac R.

14. Alexander Hamilton’s Economic Plan FUNDING AND DEBT • National Debt – the more people to whom the Gov owes money, the more people who have a personal stake in success of the Gov. • Paying Off the Debt • Tariff Revenues to pay the interest & run the Gov • First Tariff Law (1789) – 8% on imports • Excise Tax (1791) on domestic items (esp. whiskey)

15. Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan THE BANK OF THE UNITED STATES • Make strong economy via stable paper currency • Bank would be privately owned and work closely with the government • Source of loans for gov. • Opposition: • Madison though it would only benefit the rich • Jefferson did not think it was constitutional

16. Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan • The creation of the U.S. bank becomes the catalyst for Hamilton and Madison’s political split • Madison joins Jefferson as an Anti-Federalist and attacks Hamilton • Hamilton’s bank plan (and overall plan) depended on the U.S. developing a strong, working relationship with Britain (which most did not want) • Washington asked Hamilton to find a legitimate reason to support the bank idea • Hamilton came up with the idea of implied powers Alexander Hamilton

17. DEBATE: Strict vs. Loose interpretation of the constitution Strict Construction Loose Construction • Favors greater Fed. Powers • Appealed to the elastic clause of the Constitution [Art. I, Sec. 8., Clause 18] – gave Congress authority to do whatever is “necessary and proper” to carry out enumerated powers • Favored commerce/manufacturing • Federal Gov has very limited powers • Favored states’ rights; agrarian future • Planter-slaveholders

18. Implied Powers • Washington was happy with Hamilton’s interpretation and signed the bank bill into law • Jefferson threw a fit over the bank bill and the “necessary and proper” clause • However, he invokes it in 1803 to justify the Louisiana Purchase Thomas Jefferson

19. The Whiskey Rebellion

20. The Whiskey Rebellion • W. PA (near Pittsburgh) many of the farmers protested the whiskey tax & refused to pay • In July 1794, the issue reached a boiling point when a tax collector was shot at and had his house burned down by angry farmers • Washington sent 1300 militia men to W. PA and they ensured that the tax was enforced • Significance: showed the gov’t had power and would not tolerate armed resistance to federal policies • This was nothing like Shays’ Rebellion • Jefferson spins the incident and asserts that the rebellion was fabricated by the Federalists as an excuse to building a large standing army in peace time

21. The Federalist Party • Alexander Hamilton • They should have been named the “Nationalists,” but Federalists stuck after the Constitutional Convention • Favored commercial development • Favored a national banking system • Favored high tariffs to promote local products • Favored strong central government based on a loose “elastic” interpretation of the Constitution • Broadening federal authority whenever necessary • Freedom was based on deference to authority

22. The Democratic-Republican Party • The old Anti-Federalists • Thomas Jefferson • Believed in a strict “rigid” interpretation of the Constitution • “It is what it is” • A very literalist interpretation • Opposed a strong central government • Readily exercised 10th Amendment rights (power to the states instead of the federal government) • Most Republicans believed that Hamilton’s economic plans infringed upon states’ rights • They also believed Hamilton was a despot and wanted way too much power • Believed that freedom was based on retention of state authority

23. EXPANDED BOUNDARIES • 1795: Spain and Thomas Pinckney (US minister to BR) sign Treaty of San Lorenzo (aka Pinckney’s Treaty) • US received all land east of Mississippi except Florida • 31st parallel US southern boundary • US can use port of New Orleans • Mississippi R. open to traffic by Spanish subjects & US citizens

24. The French Revolution • Initially, Americans rejoiced when the French Third Estates abolished noble privileges and formed a constitutional monarchy • However, the rejoicing quickly ended when thousands of French citizens were executed • The French Revolution became increasing radical (and bloody) • By 1793, France goes to war with Britain again • President Washington declares American Neutrality • The concept of staying out of entangling alliances with Europe • The U.S. needed to remain neutral because U.S. commerce was tied to both Britain and France • Washington sought to trade non-military goods without tension from either side

25. The French Revolution • Washington issues the Proclamation of Neutrality in April 1793 • An attempt to encourage Americans not to take sides in the war • Democratic-Republicans [Jefferson/Madison] wanted to honor Treaty of 1778; Federalists [Hamilton] wanted to support Britain • Americans ignored this and teamed up with French pirates to harass the British • As a result, the British began boarding U.S. ships and seizing goods bound for France • The U.S. and Britain are destined for another war Comic courtesy of Hark, a Vagrant – by Kate Beaton

26. Jay’s Treaty Faults in the previous treaty: • Treaty of Paris had holes – Great Britain troops still occupied areas of Ohio • Native Americans never accepted land changes • Miami tribe – defeats US – Little Turtle • 1794, US wins final bought – 20,000 worth of goods, 10,000 dollar annual payment • Sets precedent with strategy to “deal” with Natives

27. Jay’s Treaty • John Jay was met by the British who drove a hard bargain • He did manage to secure • BR withdrawal from North America, compensation for recent shipping losses, and the reopening of the British West Indies • But BR could continue fur trade on US side of Canadian border • Washington and the Senate were extremely irritated at both Jay and Hamilton • The treaty was barely ratified

28. Election of 1796 John Adams Thomas Jefferson

29. The Election of 1796 • Washington steps down after two terms in office (sets the custom) • Federalists nominate John Adams (Thomas Pinckney for VP) • D-R: T. Jeff for POTUS, Aaron Burr for VP • John Adams was elected President • Thomas Jefferson elected Vice President • Opposing parties in the same cabinet again • Sectionalism develops: S. voted for Jefferson, N. for Adams • A. & J. never consulted each other after the first few days of his presidency • However, they became great friends in their old age • Adams’ presidency is one crisis after another

30. Election of 1796

31. The “Quasi War” and XYZ Affair • France cut off diplomatic relations with the U.S. shortly after Adams was elected • France ruled by dictatorial executive board ruled France • Jay’s Treaty seen as violation of US-FR Alliance (BR = enemy) • French begin seizing US ships bound for Britain

32. The “Quasi War” and XYZ Affair • French and U.S. diplomats meet to resolve the issue • Frenchmen (known only as X,Y, and Z) essentially try to bribe a peace try from the Americans • They wanted: 50,000 pounds sterling, $10 million loan from the U.S., a $250,000 personal bribe to Talleyrand (a prominent French diplomat), and a formal apology from President Adams • Americans feeling very anti-French

33. The “Quasi War” and XYZ Affair • The U.S. gives the French an option similar to Jay’s Treaty, but the French do not accept • Adams releases news of the XYZ Affair about a month after it occurs • Anti-French sentiment results • Adams’ diplomacy narrowly beats out a declaration of war against France • The Federalists use the “Quasi War” and the “XYZ Affair” as reasoning to blame the Republicans for Jay’s Treaty and the problems they were facing with France

34. The “Quasi War” and XYZ Affair • During the Quasi War, the U.S. began to build up a strong navy and army • Hamilton becomes pseudo-commander of the army, filling it with officials only loyal to him • War never actually declared (but 2-year naval war happens anyway) • The crisis ends with the British allied with the U.S. • They were both attempting to get French ships to stop harassing them in the Atlantic Ocean

35. Alien and Sedition Acts • Series of four laws passed to silence and seek vengeance on the D-Rs during the Quasi-War • This was easily Adams’ most controversial aspect of his administration • Naturalization Act of 1798 – lengthened residency requirements form 5 to 14 years • Alien Enemies Act 1798 – established procedures for jailing and deporting citizens of an enemy nation in times of war • Alien Act 1798 – allowed the president to deport any non-U.S. citizen at any time, for any reason (had a period of 2 years) • Sedition Act 1798 – made it a punishable offense (fines + jail) to speak against the government (Adams and the Federalists) • D-Rs saw this as a clear infringement upon the Bill of Rights • Federalists planned for the laws to expire in 1801 (so they couldn’t be used against them in the next election)

39. Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • Resolutions formed by Jefferson and Madison to oppose the Alien and Sedition Acts • Madison wrote the Virginia Resolution • Jefferson wrote the Kentucky Resolution • Social Contract: • Creating Fed. Gov. – states sign contract • Ind. States decide if that contract was broken • Fed. Gov. exceeded Const. powers, A & S Acts nullified by states (unconst.) • No other states agreed – but balance of power altered; major issue for 1800 election

41. The Death of Washington • Dec. 14th 1799 • Relations w/ France improve • Napoleon ordered 10 days of mourning for G. Wash. • Wanted to lure American friendship away from BR

42. The Election of 1800

43. The Election of 1800 • T. Jeff wins by 8 electoral votes. (Aaron Burr, Jeff’s VP, gets same #) • HoR to choose between the two highest vote recipients • Hamilton intervenes & persuades enough Federalists to give Jefferson a majority • Burr becomes VP • Congress passes 12th Amend. - Electors choose POTUS & VP on same ballot

44. The Election of 1800 • Called the “Revolution of 1800” • Two opposing parties (Federalists and Republicans) transition power without bloodshed. • Faith in American political system solidified

45. The Midnight Judges • Expiring Federalist Congress passes one last law – Judiciary Act of 1801 (increased # of judges to 16!) • POTUS Adams stayed late last day in office – signed 3 judicial commissions • Federalist Supreme Court Justices • Congress attempted to repeal the Act… • … leads to one of the most important Supreme Court Cases of all time

46. Marbury v. Madison (1803) • William Marbury (a midnight judge) never received official papers from (Sec. of State) James Madison • Judiciary Act of 1789 req. Supreme Court to order papers be delivered, Marbury sued to enforce • Chief Justice John Marshall declared this unconstitutional – Const. didn’t empower S.C. to issue such an order • Affirms judicial review

47. The Louisiana Purchase

48. The Louisiana Purchase - 1803 • FR acquires the LA Territory from SPN, wants to re-establish French hold in USA • News leaks to U.S., James Monroe & Robert Livingston sent to Paris to get New Orleans & W. Florida Territory • Instead, find Napoleon ready to sell entire LA Territory, buy it for $15mil. • 820,000 square miles@ 3 cents/acre

49. The Louisiana Purchase – 1803 • Jefferson unsure if purchase was constitutional… but Senate ratified treaty. • Implied Powers • The agreement stipulated that all French and Indians in the area sold should be extended rights. The French should also become U.S. citizens. • Jefferson appoints Meriwether Lewis to lead expedition, William Clark 2nd in command • 50 soldiers & woodsmen, Sacajawea as interpreter/guide

50. Hamilton & Burr • Because of Hamilton, Burr lost the presidency to T. Jeff, then loses the 1804 NY Governor’s race • When Hamilton fails to appropriately answer Burr’s letter of accusation (over the NY campaign incidents) Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel