Chapter 9 Launching the New Government

1. Chapter 9Launching the New Government Washington Takes Office Creating a Foreign Policy Political Parties Emerge The Second President

2. Objectives • Discuss the steps Washington took to make the new country work • List the causes and results of the Whiskey Rebellion • Describe how American opinion was divided over the French Revolution • Explain why Washington wanted the nation to remain neutral • Discuss why it was difficult to remain neutral • Examine how political parties began • Describe how the elections of 1796 increased political tensions

3. Okay…we’re a country!Now What??????1789 - 1800

4. Washington Takes Office • Inaugurated in New York City April 1789 • Instrumental in bringing the Constitutional Convention into place • Constitution did not explain how the president should govern from day to day • Every action seemed a precedent • Most important was that he did not seek a third term (not done until 1940)

5. The Constitution In 1939, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the United States Congress commissioned Howard Chandler Christy to produce the 20 by 30 foot painting of the signing. This famous painting was unveiled in 1940 in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Christy had established his reputation with the "Christy Girl" posters that presented images of smart, sophisticated young women, often in conjunction with patriotic themes. His "Signing of the Constitution" reflects a deep commitment to historical accuracy, including the obscuring of the faces of delegates for whom no contemporary portraits were available as models.

6. The Whiskey Rebellion • To raise money, Congress approved a tax on all liquor made and sold in U. S. • A Hated Tax • Farmers grew corn but it was hard to ship • Converted corn to whiskey shipped east • Most refused to pay the tax and rebelled • 1794 protest march in Pittsburg

7. A Show of Strength • Washington dispatched militia to PA • Rebels fled back to their farms • Washington pardoned leaders • Government had shown its strength • Tested the will of the new government • Proved government would act firmly in crisis • Violence not tolerated

9. French Revolution

10. American Response • Peasants wanted guaranteed rights like those American had won • Liberty – Equality • Wanted to support French as they had supported colonies against English • As French Revolution grew more violent, support in the U. S. weakened • Jefferson supported French

11. Foreign Policy-action that a nation takes in relation to other nations Old treaty gave French access to American ports French wanted to use ports to supply ships and attack English Washington wanted no part of this April, 1793 Neutrality Proclamation stated that United States will not support either side during the war Forbade Americans to send aid to either side U. S. ships seized Neutrality Proclamation

12. Political Parties Emerge • No political parties when Washington took over • Many saw political parties as a threat to national unity • Parties grew up around two significant members of George Washington’s cabinet • Divisions were fundamental to how they believed a government should work

13. Old treaty was with Louis XVI who had been beheaded!

14. Born in poverty in West Indies Dressed well, energetic, brilliant Wanted federal government to have greater power than states Encourage growth of commerce Big government Alexander Hamilton

15. Hamilton Strong federal gov’t Preferred looser interpretation of the constitution Economic policy Model Britain Encourage manufacturing Favored growth of cities Jefferson Strong state gov’t Strict interpretation of the constitution Economic policy Farmers are backbone Feared corruption of manufacturing Differing Views

16. Wealthy planter from VA Dressed and spoke informally Farmers are backbone of the country Believed in more rights for states Small government Thomas Jefferson

18. Led by Hamilton Wealthy and well educated should lead Strong central gov’t Emphasis on manufacturing, shipping, and trade Loose interpretation of constitution Pro-British Led by Jefferson People should have political power Strong state gov’t Emphasis on agriculture Strict interpretation of constitution Pro-French Federalist vs. Democratic Republicans

19. Election of 1796 • Republicans backed Jefferson and Burr • Federalists backed Adams and Pickney • At that time the person with the highest electoral votes became president and second highest became vice-president • Adams becomes president and Jefferson vice-president • Tensions high

20. 12 papers in 1750 48 papers in 1775 Common people read the daily paper Newspapers take sides Great influence on public opinion Kept people informed Helped shape public opinion Newspapers

21. Alien Act (people from another place) 1798 President could expel any alien or foreigner thought to be dangerous Wait 14 years to be citizen Kept immigrants from voting for many years Sedition Acts (stirring up rebellion against a government) Citizens fined or jailed if they criticize the gov’t Republicans protested that these laws violated the constitution Alien and Sedition Acts