Political Developments in the Early Republic

Political Developments in the Early Republic EQ: How did the Federalist and Republican views for the country differ?

President Washington’s Inaugural Address • Delivered by George Washington on April 30, 1789 • The Constitution invented the office of the President. • George Washington, hero of the American Revolution and of the Constitutional Convention, was elected in 1789 to serve as this nation's first President. • George Washington's first inauguration took place at Federal Hall in New York City. • Washington accepted the Presidency and spoke of his determination to make the American experiment a success.

All eight pages of the speech delivered to the Congress are in George Washington's own clear and distinctive handwriting. • "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people." Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and re ...

Launching the New Government • On April 30th George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. • After his inauguration, Washington addressed both houses of Congress asking them to work with him to put into place “the wise measures on which the success of this government must depend”. • His hands shook so much that he had trouble reading his speech.

“Your Excellency?” • The first congress was deeply divided. • Some members wanted a strong national government, while others wanted to limit the power of the new government. • How would they address George Washington? • Vice President John Adams pointed out that in Europe heads of government had titles like “Your Excellency”. Adams thought he should have the a similar title, and those who wanted a strong national government agreed. • Others argued that such titles smelled of royalty and had no place in a democracy. • Members joked that the plump Adams should be called “His Rotundity” (His Roundness). • Washington let it be know that he preferred the simple title “Mr. President”

Washington’s Cabinet • Next Congress had to create executive departments. • As Washington feared, arguments broke out over what the departments should be, and what powers they should have. • Congress approved three departments: The Department of State (handle relations with other countries) The Department of War (defend the nation) and The Treasury Department (oversee the nation’s finances). Also created an Attorney General (serve as president’s legal adviser) and a Postmaster General (head of postal system)

Who was in his cabinet? Vice President- John Adams Department of State- Thomas Jefferson Department of Treasury- Alexander Hamilton Department of War- Henry Knox

The election • In this election, the enormously popular Washington essentially ran unopposed. • The only real issue to be decided was who would be chosen as vice president. • Under the system in place, each elector cast two votes; if a person received a vote from a majority of the electors, that person became president, and the runner-up became vice president. • All 69 electors cast one vote each for Washington. • Their other votes were divided among eleven other candidates; John Adams received the most, becoming vice president.

Washington as President • The biggest problem facing the new government was a lack of funds. • The national treasury was empty. • Congress had the power to raise funds through taxes. • It’s members argued endlessly about what to tax and by how much. • In 1791, Congress finally agreed to place an excise tax on whiskey and other luxury goods, such as carriages. • An excise tax is a tax on the production or sale of a product.

Whiskey Rebellion • Western farmers found it was cheaper to transport distilled wheat (whiskey) rather than transport bulky wheat. • Farmers complained it was too expensive to pay the new excise taxes and refused to pay it. • To end the protests, Congress lowered the excise tax in 1793. • Most farmers began to pay up, but the tax rebels, “The Whiskey Boys”, tarred and feathered tax collectors who tried to enforce the law. • Alexander Hamilton and George Washington saw the Whiskey Rebellion as a threat to the authority of the national government.

Losing Trust • At Hamilton’s urging, Washington led 13,000 state militia troops across the mountains to crush the rebels. • The rebellion ended. • Thomas Jefferson thought that the idea of sending an army to catch a few tax rebels was foolish. • He believed Hamilton was prepared to violate people’s liberties by using armed force to put down opposition to government policies.

The French Revolution • The country was caught up in a debate over events in France. • In 1789 the French people rebelled against their king. • The leaders of the Revolution dreamed of building a nation based on “liberty, equality, and fraternity (brotherhood)”. • Three years later, France became a republic and declared a “war of all peoples against all kings.” • Many Americans were thrilled by the Revolution. • Jefferson and his followers especially, began calling themselves Democratic-Republicans, or just Republicans. • The Republicans saw the French Revolution as part of a great crusade for democracy.

Change in tides • France’s revolutionary government began beheading wealthy nobles. • 20,000 men, women and children were killed. • Hamilton and his followers, who were calling themselves Federalists were appalled. • Federalists were themselves wealthy, and began fearing for their own safety.

Foreign Policy • George Washington didn't want to have anything to do with any foreign countries. • He preferred neutrality. • He said that he wasn't going to take part of Britain or France and that we shouldn't make alliances with other countries. • He advised our countries to stay at isolationism, instead of involvement. • Washington advised against any permanent foreign alliances, which he saw to be constricting and burdensome. • He did favor "temporary alliances" for extreme emergencies. • What was our country like at this time? Why do these policies match our country?

Washington’s Farewell Address • The growing division between Republicans and Federalists disturbed Washington to the point he decided to run for a second term in 1792. • Hamilton and Jefferson told him he was the only one who could keep the nation together. • Near the end of his second term, Washington announced that he would not run again. • Before leaving office, the president prepared a message that became known as Washington’s Farewell Address • He reminded Americans of all that bound them together as a people and warned of two threats to the nation’s future.

One threat was problems the nation was having with other countries. • The other was the “spirit of party.” • It was natural for people to hold different opinions, but he warned against the dangers of passionate loyalty to parties. • If fighting between parties was not controlled it could tear the young nation apart. • Washington had much to be proud of as well: The new government was up and running, the nation was growing so fast it had added three new states, and he steered his government safely through quarrelsome times. • He left the nation united and at peace.

“With slight shades of differences, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together.” • George Washington

Political Developments in the Early Republic