The Federalist Era

1. The Federalist Era 1789-1800

2. U.S. in 1789 • Population doubling every 20 years • 90% rural, only 5% west of Appalachians • Starting in 1791, Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio would become states • Legacy of 12 years of weak government • Country heavily in debt with a worthless paper currency

3. 1st: freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition 2nd: right of militia to bear arms 3rd & 4th: no quartering or unreasonable searches 5th-8th: rights of accused 9th: protection of non-enumerated rights 10th: non-enumerated powers to the states Bill of Rights

4. Election of 1788

5. George Washington • Imposing 6’2” • Took oath of office in New York City • Demanded Formality & respect for office • Organized executive branch • Critics called him “King George”

6. Completing the Structure • 1st Cabinet • Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson • Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton • Secretary of War: Henry Knox • Judiciary Act of 1789 created federal courts • John Jay – 1st Chief Justice of Supreme Court

7. Hamilton’s Fiscal Program • Assuming Debt at face value plus interest • Articles of Confederation: 54 million • State Debt: 21.5 million • Some states had paid off their debt • ie. Virginia not Massachusetts • District of Columbia became nation’s capital • Customs Duties & Excise Taxes • 8% tariff • Whiskey Tax – 7 cents per gallon • National Bank of United States • Used Elastic Clause to justify

8. first test for new federal government. Angry farmers in Western Penn. rebelled at tax. Why? They were dirt poor, and simply could not afford to pay the tax. Unfair that tax placed on poor farmer not merchant. It also planted the seeds for the first liberal/ conservative split, that would wage even until today. Washington led 13,000 federal troops (in uniform) in putting down rebellion. Whiskey Rebellion, 1794

9. Washington’s Foreign Policy • Impact of French Revolution • Neutrality Proclamation • Citizen Genet • Treaty of 1778 • Appealed to citizens against Washington’s wishes • Equipped privateers • Kicked out of country

10. Jay’s Treaty • Treaty of Grenville. 1795 • Defeat of Indians at Battle of Fallen Timbers by Gen. “Mad Anthony” Wayne • British continued hold posts in NW terr. & supply Indians with weapons • British Navy seized @300 American merchant ships & impressed seamen • Washington sent Jay to England • sabotaged by Hamilton • British would compensate merchant losses • Americans would pay off pre-Revolution debts • Treaty unpopular>Jay burned in effigy

11. Pinckney’s Treaty, 1795 • With Spain (Treaty of San Lorenzo) • gave U.S. free navigation of Mississippi • Disputed border north of Florida

12. Washington’s Farewell Address • Re-elected by 97.8% in 1792 • Chose not to run for 3rd term—set precedent • Warned nation about… • Entangling Alliances • Political partisanship – political parties • Sectionalism

13. 1st Political Parties

15. Election of 1796

16. John Adams • Adams Personality • Rivalries • Hated by Hamilton, who controlled Federalist Congress & who plotted with Cabinet members against Adams • Break Up of Friendship with Jefferson

17. Quasi-War with France • Deterioration of relations with France • Citizen Genet • Jay’s Treaty • France follows English policy : seizing American merchant ships • XYZ Affair • John Marshall & American delegation to France • 3 agents demand $250,000 for audience with Talleyrand • Marshall & delegation leave France & publicize insult • Federalists drum up war fever against France • Adams breaks with party to avoid war> this will cost him popular support in & out of his party

19. Alien & Sedition Acts • Passed by Federalist Congress to limit power of Democratic-Republicans • Raise Citizenship Requirement from 5 to 14 years • Deport (peace time) or jail (during war) dangerous aliens • Sedition Act: Fine & imprisonment for impeding government policies or defaming its officials • Matthew Lyon & others imprisoned for writing criticisms of Adams

20. Kentucky (Jefferson) & Virginia (Madison) Resolutions • Individual states were the final judge of laws passed in Congress • Began Doctrine of Nullification • Dispute not settled • Election of 1800 throws Federalists out of Power

21. Election of 1800

22. Significance of Election of 1800 • Federalist loss was direct result of • Hamilton/Adams Rivalry • Abuse of power through Alien & Sedition Acts • Turning Point in History: lawful transfer of power from one political party to another. • Repeal of Sedition Acts established the principle of “loyal opposition” • Patriotism is to country not current government officials & their policies.

23. Federalist Legacy: • Created strong federal government. • Healed nation’s economic problems. • Memory of Sedition Act would cause party to decline till it’s death after War of 1812. • Adam’s midnight judical appointments, would result in Federalist control of courts. • Chief Justice John Marshall