Launching a New Nation

1. Launching a New Nation

2. An action that serves as an example Washington’s Presidency • Precedents: • Cabinet Members (presidential advisory board) • Judiciary Act of 1789 • created 3 levels of federal courts and defined their powers and relationship to the state courts. • 1792 - 24 stockbrokers signed an agreement under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street. • This was the foundation for what was to become the New York Stock Exchange

3. Alexander Hamilton • Born in British West Indies • Very smart • Helped run a shipping company in his teens • Married into a wealthy NY family • Practiced law • Served as Washington’s aide • Delegate to 4 Continental Congresses • Secretary of Treasury • Biggest challenge – paying off the national debt • During the war the government sold Bonds • Certificates of debt that carry a promise to buy back the bonds at a higher price • Government couldn’t afford to pay these back at a higher price. • People could sell them to Speculators – people who buy items at low prices in the hopes that the value will rise. US owed about 11.7 Million to foreign countries & 40.4 million to US citizens

4. HISTORY QUICKFACT • In the 16th and 17th Century in France, it was fashionable for men to wear high-heeled shoes • For example, King Louis XIV of France did 

5. The Struggle to Stay Neutral Nations in Europe were at war. In France, the American Revolution inspired the French Revolution, where the working class and poor overthrew the King of France. Americans were happy to hear about this until they learned about a method that the French used to kill King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette

6. The Guillotine

7. Developed by a doctor to make death more humane. • Questioned when doctors argued that it took 30 seconds for the victim to die after the head was chopped off • Over 40, 000 died this way

8. Neutrality Proclamation April, 1793 US would not take sides of those at war in Europe and would remain neutral France wanted to use US ships to attack Britain (privateers) Jefferson believed US should help France because they helped the us. Hamilton said “NO”. Wanted to strengthen ties with Great Britain. Jefferson resigned from Washington’s cabinet in 1793

9. Jays Treaty 1793 Great Britain seized ships carrying food to the French West Indies British officers were helping Native Americans fight expanding settlers • Neither GB or US wanted another war • Washington sends John Jay to GB • Goal: • (1)evacuation of forts • (2)payment of compensation for seizure of ships & slaves during the revolution

10. Jay’s Treaty was signed on June 25, 1795 • GB: • Pay damages • Abandon forts on the North Western frontier • US: agree to pay debts owed to GB John Jay US citizens did not like it at all! Washington didn’t like it either, but thought it was the best they could do.

12. Pinckney’s Treaty1795 Spain was disputing the US/Florida border They closed the New Orleans port, blocking U.S. Trade Ambassador Pinckney worked out a deal with Spain: • the U.S would change their border lines slightly • in exchange for use of the New Orleans port

13. Northwest Territory • Settlers were being attacked by Native Americans (NA) • NA had defeated 2 Generals already (Harmar & St. Clair) • General Wayne took command 1792 • Built Fort Green Ville 1793 • NA led by Little Turtle attacked a supply train. Wayne • responded and • defeated them • burning NA towns • and crops

14. Treaty of Greenville • General Wayne defeated • Little Turtle in the • Battle of Fallen Timbers • (named so because a • tornado had come through • and destroyed trees) • August of 1795 Native American leaders signed the Treaty of Greenville • Gave the US claim to most Indian lands in the NW territory • Guaranteed safety of citizens there • NA received $20,000 worth of goods • Claim of land they still held

15. Whiskey Rebellion March 1791 - Congress passed a tax on American-made Whiskey (part of Hamilton’s plan) * also a test of the power of the federal gov’t to control the states

16. Why did they tax whiskey? • Farmers turned their grain into whiskey; it was easier to transport. • They got more money for the whiskey anyway. • Farmers did not have the money to pay for the tax.

17. The Rebellion • In the summer of 1794, a group of farmers rebel against the whiskey tax and stage the Whiskey Rebellion. • One group beat up • a tax collector and • coated him with tar • and feathers

18. - Washington said he couldn’t watch and do nothing so he led the army against the rebellion. - First and only time a president has done so.- When his army came the rebels fled and the rebellion ended.

19. Washington’s Farewell Address • Lists benefits of uniting the states under one government • Warns against political parties • Need for educating citizens • Warns for nation to stay neutral

20. John Adams Election of 1796 First election with political parties • Federalist Party (Hamilton) • Strong federal Government • support industry & trade • Democratic/Republican Party (Jefferson & Madison) • Limit Federal Government’s power • *not related to today’s Republican party Business “Royalist” Farmers “Favored French”

21. Election of 1796 1st time more than one person ran for president: 1st Place: JOHN ADAMS President 2nd Place: THOMAS JEFFERSON Vice-President

22. The election was very close!

23. XYZ AFFAIR US & France Adams #1 goal: to improve relations with France. *remember France was mad at us for not supporting them during their revolution Adams sends 3 diplomats to France (John Marshal, Eldridge Gerry & CC Pinckney) French Minister Talleyrand refused to see them 3 French Agents came to see them & told them: Talleyrand would see them if they paid a bribe of $250,000… oh and the French government wanted to borrow $12 million

24. March 1798 Adams told Congress that the peace seeking mission had failed; he substituted the letters X, Y, & Z for the names of the French agents {that’s why it’s called the XYZ affair} Federalist in Congress were calling for WAR! Adams: - asked Congress to expand Navy - decided US should have a peacetime army Adams did not want to go to WAR!! $$$$$$$ American & French ships begin fighting in the Caribbean (Quasi War or Franco American War) Adams sent a rep to France to discuss ending the fighting Finally signed the Convention of 1800 ~ peace treaty

25. “Millions for defense,but not one cent for tribute” This was the quote that rang out from congress when they were told about the French demands. …said by Robert Goodloe Harper What do you think it means?

26. The Alien and Sedition Acts Sedition Act: forbids anyone from publishing or voicing criticism of the federal government Alien Act: authorized president to deport any resident alien considered “dangerous to the peace & safety of the US” "He in a trice struck Griswold thrice / Upon his head enraged, Sir; / Who seized the tongs to ease his wrongs, / And Griswold thus engaged, Sir."

27. Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions • Jefferson and Madison attacked the Acts at the state level in two states: Kentucky and Virginia • In the resolutions they argued the Acts were unconstitutional • by 1801, the Alien & Sedition Acts expired. Jefferson, by then president, pardoned all who were convicted. • This showed that states could challenge the government

28. A Duel:Hamilton vs Vice President Burr On the morning of July 11, 1804, a sitting Vice President of the United States shot and killed a Founding Father. Imagine the headlines and talk shows if that happened today!? There were many years of feuding between the two Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel Hamilton missed; Burr fired; Hamilton was shot and died the next day Duelling was illegal at the time and Burr was charged with murder but never convicted