Shaping the National Government

1. Shaping the National Government

2. Democracy vs. Republicanism Direct Democracy: A system of government in which power is in the hands of ALL citizens. Republicanism: A system of government in which citizens have the power to elect representatives who will make decisions in their best interest. Which one of these systems did the Constitution more closely resemble? Why do you think the Founding Fathers who helped write the Constitution were afraid of a direct democracy?

3. Constitution Ratified…Now What? Bill of Rights! WE WANT RIGHTS! • Blue Book Page 96 • PDF on our course website In your own words, summarize of the 10 rights in one sentence each.

4. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Continued! FEDERALISTS • Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, George Washington, James Madison. • Primarily property owners, rich merchants, found in urban centers or coastal areas. • Believed in elitism; saw themselves and their peers as fit to govern. • Believed in a strong central government that used separation of powers to ensure power was not consolidated. • Representative Government ANTI-FEDERALISTS Would become the Democratic-Republicans • Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Mason. • Primarily small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers. A much more ‘everyday worker’ type of group. • Believed in the decency and ability of common people and a participatory (closer to direct) democracy. Viewed the ruling elite as corrupt. • Pushed most importantly for protection of individual rights. • Wanted stronger state government and a weaker federal government.

5. Washington’s Blank Slate • George Washington was elected unanimously in 1789. • John Adams was elected as his Vice President. • Washington created 3 key departments: War, Treasury, and State. • Washington placed Henry Knox in charge of the Department of War. • The other two departments would become the root of rival political parties that continues today!

6. A National Bank? • Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton used his position in government to develop plans that would secure his Federalist agenda. • One such plan was the proposal of a National Bank to handle the national government's finances. • Most Democratic-Republicans opposed the plan because they believed the national government lacked the formal power to establish such a bank.

7. The Republican Position • The creation of a National Bank was strongly opposed by Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans. • According to the Democratic-Republicans, a National Bank gave the federal government too much power and seemed monarchic in nature.

8. Hamilton’s Financial Program • Pay off the national debt. • The federal government would also assume all state debts. • Protect the new nation’s growing economy with a high tariff, or import tax. • This would raise revenue for the government and also encourage people to buy products from home. • Create a national bank. • Support for Hamilton’s programs came mostly from wealthy businessmen in the North who would benefit most from the high tariff.

9. Jefferson’s Opposition • Unlike Hamilton, Jefferson believed in a STRICT INTERPRETATION of the Constitution. • This means that if the Constitution doesn’t specifically say the government can do something, it can’t do it. • Implied Powers vs. Explicit Powers • What does this mean? • Necessary and Proper Clause

10. Foreign Affairs Under Washington • French Revolution • Many Americans supported it in theory, but the reports of mass executions disturbed people. • Jefferson and his supporters (Democratic-Republicans) wanted to support the Revolutionary cause. • President Washington however wanted no part of a war, even though British ships were seizing American ships headed for France.. • Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) • Caused Jefferson to resign his position in the Cabinet. • Jay Treaty • Chief Justice John Jay was sent to Britain to negotiate an end to British searching and seizure of American ships. • Britain agreed to leave their posts on the US western frontier but they would not agree to leave the ships alone. • Treaty angered American supporters of France but it did keep America neutral.

11. Foreign Affairs Under Washington • Pinckney Treaty • Spain saw the Jay Treaty as a sign the US was getting closer with Great Britain, Spain’s longtime enemy. Thomas Pinckney, the U.S. minister to Spain negotiated a treaty that allowed the US to use the Port of New Orleans without paying Spanish taxes. • It also left Florida’s border (which was Spanish Territory) at the place the US insisted it was, not where Spain said.

12. Washington’s Farewell Address • The Address was never given publically, instead it was published in newspapers. • It was a warning to America to avoid certain future problems. • Alexander Hamilton helped him write it. • Do not get involved in European affairs. • Do not make ‘permanent alliances’ in foreign affairs. • Do not form political parties. • Do not fall into sectionalism

13. Comparison of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican Parties

14. John Adams’ Presidency Adams defeated Jefferson in 1796 by 3 electoral votes. Jefferson, as runner-up, was elected Vice President. (This changed in 1804) Unremarkable Presidency, except for the Alien and Sedition Acts, which helped the Democratic-Republicans gain control in the next election, due to their unpopularity.

15. Alien and Sedition Acts • The Alien and Sedition Acts dealt largely with foreigners and rebels. • The main supporters of these laws were members of the Federalist Party, who controlled Congress. • They gave the President power to deport any foreigner perceived as a threat to the nation. • Fines and imprisonment could also be handed down to anyone who criticized the government. • Heavy influxes of immigration from France and Ireland served to threaten the Federalist cause, as these immigrants typically aligned themselves with Republican causes. • The Kentucky and Virginia state legislatures issued resolutions declaring the acts unconstitutional. • These were distributed to other states promoting the Republican cause.

16. Election of 1800 • President John Adams, a fierce Federalist, ran against Republican Thomas Jefferson. • Jefferson was the first presidential candidate to be nominated by a political party. • The nomination of a candidate by a political party ushered in a new method of presidential campaigning. • Jefferson, while a strong supporter of the ideas of his party, was not a strong supporter of the party system • Jefferson's Republican Party was the foundation for today's Democratic Party. • Jefferson was elected.

17. Revolution of 1800 • The Federalist Party had controlled the presidency and Congress from the inception of the nation until the election of 1800. • Jefferson's victory in 1800 was essentially a Republican victory and was seen as a revolution of ideas and personnel. • The Federalist Party would never again gain control of the national government and ceases to be an organized party by 1816.