Chapter 7 DEMOCRACY IN DISTRESS The Violence of Party Politics, 1788–1800

1. Chapter 7DEMOCRACY IN DISTRESS The Violence of Party Politics, 1788–1800

2. Principle and Pragmatism:Establishing a New Government • 1788 – George Washington unanimously elected president • Congress established three executive departments: War, State, and Treasury • Judiciary Act of 1789 established Supreme Court and thirteen District Courts

5. President George Washington

7. Mount Vernon

13. Alexander Hamilton--Secretary of the Treasury

14. Thomas Jefferson--Secretary of State

15. Conflicting Visions: Alexander Hamilton • Washington’s aide-de-camp in Revolution • Secretary of the Treasury • Wanted stronger ties to Britain • Believed strong central government preserves national independence • Envisioned U.S. as an industrial power • Feared anarchy more than tyranny • Federalist Party

16. Hamilton on France, Order, and Liberty • “France is a frightening portent of what could happen in America if the safeguards of order were stripped away by the love of liberty.”

17. Conflicting Visions:Thomas Jefferson • Secretary of State • Limited government preserves liberty • Envisioned U.S. as an agrarian nation • Trusted the common people • Against large debt • Founder of Republican Party

18. Hamilton’s Funding and Assumption Plans • Funding: Congress redeems federal certificates of debt at face value to current holders • Criticized by Madison and others because most debt in hands of speculators • Assumption: federal government purchases states’ debts • Opposed by states that had already paid their debts • Eventually passed in exchange for locating capital on Potomac (Washington, D.C.)

19. The Bank Controversy • Republicans opposed national bank because it might “perpetuate a large monied interest” • Jefferson opposed it as unconstitutional • Argued it brought a corrupt British system to America • Hamilton defended constitutionality through doctrine of “implied powers” • Necessary + Proper Clause

20. The Peril of Neutrality • Franco-British War broke out, 1793 • England violated American neutrality on high seas + still occupied forts along frontier • Jefferson: punish England–cut off trade • Hamilton: appease England because too strong

21. Edmond Genet • French diplomat Edmond Genet challenged American neutrality in public • Argued American public wanted war with Britain

22. Jay’s Treaty • British agreed to vacate forts in America and allow Americans to trade in West Indies • But Britain rejected neutrality of America • Continued to search American ships and impress Americans at sea

23. Treaty of San Lorenzo (Pinckney’s Treaty) • Spanish opened the Mississippi to U.S. West • Settled disputed border between Florida and U.S.

25. Whiskey Rebellion: Charges of Republican Conspiracy • Washington blamed Republican clubs for encouraging unrest • Jefferson saw it as excuse to raise army to intimidate opposition

26. The Election of 1796

27. President John Adams

28. The Adams Presidency • Bitterly divisive election in 1796 • Adams forced to accept people not supportive in cabinet • Republican Jefferson is vice-president • Federalist Department heads more loyal to Hamilton (High Federalists) than Adams

29. The XYZ Affair and Domestic Politics • Quasi-war: French seized U.S. ships • Diplomatic mission failed when three French officials (X, Y, and Z) demanded bribe • Provoked anti-French outrage in U.S.

30. Crushing Political Dissent • Federalists began building up the army • Stated purpose: repel French invasion • Actual intention: stifle internal opposition

31. The Alien and Sedition Acts • Alien and Sedition Acts • Purpose to silence Republicans • First civil liberties crisis • Alien Acts gave the president power to expel any foreigner • Sedition Act criminalized criticism of the government

33. Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions • Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions said states can determine constitutionality of federal law • Jefferson’s Kentucky Resolutions—states may nullify unconstitutional federal law

34. Adams’s Finest Hour • 1799—Adams broke with Hamilton • Sent new team to negotiate with France • Reached agreement with France to avert war • Created climate of trust between France and U.S.

35. The Peaceful Revolution: The Election of 1800 • Hamilton’s High Federalists led campaign to replace Adams with Pinckney • Republicans Jefferson and Burr tied in Electoral College • Lame duck Federalist House of Representatives had to break the tie

36. The Election of 1800