US History Chapter 6

1. The Origin of American Politics1789-1820 US History Chapter 6

2. Problems of the New Government • National Debt • $52 million • Farm economy; 3 million people • Not respected by other countries • No navy • Army of only 400 men • Spain closed Mississippi River to American trade • Controlled New Orleans • British kept forts within American territory

3. George Washington • 1st President of the United States(April 30, 1789 - March 3, 1797) • Nickname: Father of the Country • Highly respected around the world as a General and leader

4. George Washington1789-1797 • Background • Fought in French and Indian War • Commander in Chief of the Continental Army • Presiding Officer at Constitutional Convention • Natural leader; seemed almost royal • Keen sense of duty • Sought no personal power

5. George Washington1789-1797 • Election • Unanimously elected • Inaugurated April 30, 1789 in New York City • Vice President – John Adams • Views on Government • Avoided arguments • Concentrated on larger picture of national unity • Smoothly functioning administration • Created respect for the new government • Opposed to political parties

6. First Acts of the New Government • Judiciary Act of 1789 • Established the court system • Supreme Court • 6 judges – 1 Chief Justice, 5 associates • John Jay – 1st Chief Justice • 13 District Courts • 3 Circuit Courts • Allowed state court decisions to be appealed to federal court when constitutional issues are in question • Established office of Attorney General

7. First Acts of the New Government • Bill of Rights • Fulfilled promise to Anti-Federalists; 1791 • Formation of First Cabinet • Advisers to the President • Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson • Attorney General – Edmund Randolph • Secretary of War - Henry Knox • Secretary of Treasury - Alexander Hamilton • Had greatest influence on Washington’s administration

8. The First Cabinet Secretaries

9. Squabbling in the Cabinet… • How Should the Constitution be Interpreted??? • Federalists believed in… • Loose construction of Constitution • Government could do anything that was not forbidden • Anti-Federalists believed in… • Strict construction of Constitution • Government should not do anything unless specified

10. Two Factions Born • Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, as heads of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist groups respectively, are often considered 'fathers' of the modern party system.

11. Whoops.. The New Government is Broke • The war debt was enormous, and the creditors were demanding payment on the loans they had given during the war • European countries refused to trade with the US worried that they would not be reimbursed for products and services

12. Hamilton’s Beliefs… • Felt that government needed to direct the development of the American economy • Had little faith in the people • Remember…we’re the MOB!

13. Hamilton’s Financial Program • Payment of all debts • Demonstrate to the world that the federal government, not the individual states, was the responsible contracting party in all international commerce and foreign affairs • Three types: • Domestic debt ($44 million in bonds) • Exchange old bonds for new ones • Problem – speculators bought old bonds below face value – would get rich • Necessary to establish US credit

14. Hamilton’s Financial Program • Payment of all debts • Three types: • Foreign debts ($12 million) • Pay back France and Spain • State debts ($22 million) • Opposed by the Southern states because they had already paid back their loans • To get South to agree, promised to move the capital to the South • From? – temporary capital • To? – originally called Federal Town

15. Hamilton’s Strategy • Alexander Hamilton • The new Secretary of the Treasury worried about the nation’s debt from the war • He wanted the national government to take over the states’ debt to European countries and banks and consolidate • 1 large debt instead of 13 smaller debts… • All he had to do was convince the 13 states to take on each others debts!

16. Hamilton's Ideas for $$ • Get us out of DEBT by… 1. Excise Tax (Luxury Tax) • One year tax on Whiskey to raise money • Chiefly affected farmers on western frontier • Converted corn crop to whiskey to transport it to market more efficiently 2. Protective Tariff - Placing taxes on domestic products, and place tariffs on foreign goods entering the country • How are citizens going to feel about this one?? • Only part of Hamilton’s plan that was rejected by Congress

17. The Whiskey Rebellion • Corn was not profitable as a crop until it was made into whiskey • Whiskey was also used as a kind of currency in certain states and regions • When Hamilton attempted to raise money through a tax on whiskey in 1794, Pennsylvania farmers took to arms • The army was called in by Washington to squash the rebellion • First time the new government was tested

18. Hamilton's Ideas for $$ • Creating the Bank of United States • Hamilton thought the Bank would help centralize the debt, American finances, and investments • Does anyone remember an article, section in the Constitution concerning a National Bank? • What is the position of the leaders on this issue? • Hamilton: necessary and proper clause • Jefferson: Constitution doesn’t give government the power to have a bank.

19. The Rise of Political Parties

20. The Rise of Political Parties

21. War in Europe…Again!! • Once again Great Britain and France were at war • The Americans were uncertain of the position they should take.. • Side with the French? • Side with the British? • Keep America neutral?

22. European Influences on the Federalists • Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists were fans of Great Britain- and afraid of their navy! • “Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer” • He was afraid of the problems in France and the Reign of Terror- • The people were considered “rabble” and sometimes referred to as “the mob”

23. European Influences on the Anti-Federalists • Thomas Jefferson and the Anti-Federalists were still fans of France, the country that had helped them during the Revolutionary War • Did not trust the British; thought we should help the French during the war • Saw the current problems in France as a true reaction by a real democracy • Jefferson thought there should be a revolution every 10 years • True democracies were all about change and growth • Throw the bums, out!

24. Washington Decides… • Washington declared neutrality in April 1793 • The new country would not have to take sides • Angered the French who had sided with the Americans during the Revolution

25. Washington’s Cabinet Breaks Up • The Former Anti-Federalists became a faction within the Washington cabinet • Thomas Jefferson was the most influential opponent. • He resigned his position as Sec. of State in opposition to the ideas • Man of the people and states’ rights • States’ rights advocates

26. War Between France and Britain • Great Britain • Began to seize American ships • Violated our “Freedom of the Seas” Definition: the right of a neutral nation to trade with belligerents in goods not intended for war

27. War Between France and Britain • Great Britain continued its practice of stopping American ships and searching them for “British citizens”. • This resulted in the practice of impressment. • This angered American traders and businessmen who were losing key personnel. • Still in the American NW – inciting Indians??? • Chief Justice John Jay was sent to GB to negotiate a treaty

28. “Jay’s Treaty” Major Provisions • The withdrawal of British soldiers from posts in the American West • A commission to be established to settle outstanding border issues between the U.S. and Canada • A commission to be established to resolve American losses in British ship seizures and Loyalist losses during the War for Independence. • Missing from the treaty was a provision for the British to refrain from the arrest of American ships and impressment of American seamen. It did help us get a favorable treaty with Spain.

29. Reactions to “Jay’s Treaty” • The paper on which "the treaty was written was called a piece of shame." • Jay was accused of having betrayed his country by negotiating a servile treaty with Britain's monarch. • Jay's name became the subject of punning toasts such as, "clipped wings and lame legs" and he was burned in effigy in many states. • He claimed he could have walked the entire eastern seaboard at night and had his way illuminated by protesters burning him in effigy.

30. Federalists…what were you thinking? • But Congress ratified the treaty • The split between factions became larger and… • A new party was born!!

31. Treaty with Spain • After Jay’s treaty, Spain feared US and Britain would team up to attack Florida and Louisiana – willing to work out problems. • Pinckney Treaty (1795) • Guaranteed US free navigation of Mississippi • Gave US “right of deposit” in New Orleans – right to transfer goods from riverboats to ocean going ships w/out paying Spanish tariff • Established the Mississippi as the western boundary and the 31st parallel as southern boundary of US • Considered an American triumph!!

32. Washington’s Retirement • Set two term precedent • Tired of burden of public office • Hurt by bitter criticism of Democratic-Republicans • Wanted to show that no one was indispensable • Farewell Address – urged • No political parties • Develop economy; solve domestic problems • Don’t enter into foreign alliances (entangling) • Stay out of Europe’s quarrels • Instituted foreign policy of non-involvement

33. The Election of 1796 • The Federalists and the Jeffersonians competed for the presidency in the 1796 and 1800 elections • Federalists v Jeffersonians • Adams v Jefferson • Winner 1796 –Federalists and Adams • Jefferson was then selected as his Vice-President because he came in second! John Adams

34. John Adams1797-1801 • Ben Franklin said of Adams: “always honest, often great” • Helped write the Declaration of Independence • Ambassador to England • Washington’s Vice President • First to live in the White House • Wife – Abigail – wrote her many love letters • Son – John Quincy Adams • Devout Christian • Vain, Stuffy, Overweight – often called “His Rotundy” • Died July 4, 1826 – same day as Jefferson

35. The French are MAD!! • French enraged by American foreign policy • Proclamation of Neutrality • Jay Treaty with Britain • The French withdrew their minister from Philadelphia; refused to receive the newly appointed U.S. Minister, Charles Pinckney. • They then began to seize U.S. ships on the high seas bound for Britain. • Federalists want war • President Adams responded by sending three Americans to negotiate

36. XYZ Affair • The Americans demanded that the French halt the practice of seizing ships • Three anonymous French agents (X, Y, & Z) were sent by the French Prime Minister Tallyrand to demand a bribe from America • This was common in 18th century Europe, but John Jay refused • The resulting scandal became known as the XYZ Affair. • Americans become strongly anti-French.

38. Undeclared Naval War • Congress votes funds to build navy • 1798 – Cabinet level navy department • Captured 100 French vessels • 1800 – Adams sent negotiator to France – controlled by Napoleon • Agreed to end naval conflict and cancel 1778 treaty of alliance • Adams lost popularity but restored peace

39. Naturalization Act • Increased the number of years required for immigrant to become a citizen from 5 to 14 years. What party will be most hurt by this law?

40. Alien Act • President gained the right to imprison or deport citizens of other countries residing in the U.S. considered dangerous to U.S. • What about the land of liberty and opinion? • Freedom of speech and assembly? • Extremely unpopular among the Anti-Federalists

41. The Sedition Act • Persons who wrote, published, or said anything “of a false, scandalous, and malicious” nature against the American government or its officials could be jailed or fined • Anti-Federalists fumed after the law was signed by President Adams • What happened to freedom of the press?

42. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • Jefferson, Madison, and others felt the Sedition Act violated free speech • Legislatures of two states came up with “null and void” idea • If we don’t agree with the Act in our state, we will not enforce or obey it • A direct challenge to Federal superiority • The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were later used as a basis for the creation of the Confederacy

43. In other words… • Its all about Federal Superiority vs. States Rights • Should the states have the right to decide whether or not a federal statute is constitutional FOR THEM. • Can they nullify a law if it is not agreeable to the state?? • The states versus federal government question began in earnest!

44. The Federalist Party dies • Lost both executive and legislative branches in 1800 • Federalist judicial appointments served for many years • Most important – Chief Justice John Marshall appointed January 31, 1801 • Never won another election • Party died but ideas remained

45. Summary of Federalist Era • Fostered loose interpretation of Constitution • Established national credit • Created the court system • Demonstrated ability of government to enforce laws • Admitted three states • Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee • Kept nation out of war • Instituted a foreign policy of isolation

46. Election of 1800 • Jefferson versus Adams.. AGAIN!! • Nasty, personal attacks on each man’s character • Jeffersonians called Adams an elitist and Tory • Federalist newspapers claimed that the election of Jefferson would cause the "teaching of murder robbery, rape, adultery and incest". • Sound more like politics today!

47. The Evolution of American Political Parties • The Anti-Federalists became known as the Republican-Democrats in 1800 • Sometimes known as the Democratic Republicans or simply the Republicans • Historians have given them the name, “Jeffersonians” to stop confusion with today’s Republican party • FYI…The modern Democratic party actually can trace their roots to the Jeffersonians

49. The Confusing Results of 1800 • Neither Adams or Jefferson received the necessary number of electoral votes • Since no one had the majority of votes, and the election was turned over to the House of Representatives. • The House deliberated from February 11th to February 17th • Jefferson was selected on the 36th ballot!! • Aaron Burr came in second and became the new VP

50. Transfer of Power in 1800 • Americans disagreed peacefully • Diplomatic …no bloodshed • The Constitution WORKED!!