Transcript Document

Challenges to the New
Government
Whiskey Rebellion
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To help pay off the war debt,
Washington/Hamilton started to tax
whiskey
Whiskey is an alcoholic beverage made
from grain-wheat, corn, rye, etc.
The farmers who grew the grain to make
the whiskey were angry.
Why whiskey?
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Farmers had a hard time getting their grain to
market, so they turned their grain into whiskey,
which was easier to transport.
They got more money for the whiskey anyway.
Farmers traded the whiskey for salt, sugar, and
other goods.
Farmers used whiskey as money to get
whatever supplies they needed.
Farmers did not have the money to pay for the
tax, since whiskey was used as currency.
LINKAGE
The Rebellion
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In the summer of 1794, a group of farmers
in Western Pennsylvania rebelled against
the whiskey tax and staged the Whiskey
Rebellion.
One group beat up a tax collector and
coated him with tar and feathers.
Rep. Governor of PA did nothing
Why do you think tax collectors were tarred and
feathered?
The Government Responds
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Alexander Hamilton wanted the
government to look strong. He
encouraged President Washington to
stop the revolt.
Federal troops marched to Western
Pennsylvania and put down the revolt.
Why do you think Washington chose to lead the troops
himself?
Rebellion? What Rebellion?
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When the troops arrived, not much was
going on.
“Rebels” disappeared, no one knew where
they went.
A “simpleton” and someone who was
“insane” were arrested, then pardoned.
Importance of Whiskey Rebellion
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Washington wanted to prove that the
government would deal with people not
obeying the law. Show federal power to the
states.
Dem-Reps thought it was used as an
excuse by Feds to build a standing army.
stop
Washington’s Farewell Address
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Before he retired, Washington gave a farewell
address (speech). In it he
Warned against political parties - he thought they
caused arguments
Urged the nation to remain neutral and not
become involved in foreign alliances.
Warned against a powerful military.
Urged Americans to maintain and value a sense
of national unity.
Political Parties
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Despite Washington’s warnings, political
parties developed.
The first two political parties were the
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
The Federalists wanted a strong national
government. The Democratic-Republicans
thought a strong national government
would lead to tyranny.
Hamilton versus Jefferson
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Alexander Hamilton led the Federalists.
Thomas Jefferson led the DemocraticRepublicans.
Northern merchants and manufacturers
became Federalists.
Southern farmers and workers became
Democratic-Republicans
John Adams Becomes 2nd
President
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After Washington
retired, his VicePresident, John Adams
became the second
president.
Thomas Jefferson came
in second. He became
Vice-President.
Adams
Jefferson
1796 Election
Results
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ADAMS (F)
JEFFERSON (R)
T PINCKNEY (F)
BURR (R)
S ADAMS (F)
ELLSWORTH (F)
MA
VA
SC
NY
MA
CT
71
68
59
30
15
11
ADAMS
PRESIDENCY
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Adams was a Federalist, but not a “High
Federalist.”
He was stuck with Washington’s cabinetmost were loyal to Hamilton
Adams resented the influence of Hamiltonsplit in the Federalist Party
XYZ Affair
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The U.S. was having problems with France. They were
seizing American ships so they couldn’t trade with
England.
Adams sent reps to France to work out the problems.
However, the talks would occur only if the Americans
agreed to loan France $10 million and to pay the minister
a bribe of $250,000. The
Americans refused. The incident became known as the
XYZ Affair.
Americans (esp feds) were outraged when this info became
public.
Alien and Sedition Acts
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President Adams was criticized for the XYZ affair
by Democratic-Republican newspapers.
He blamed the papers and new immigrants for
his problems.
To silence his critics, the Alien and Sedition Acts
were passed.
These acts targeted aliens —immigrants who
were not yet citizens.
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One act increased the waiting period for
becoming a U.S. citizen from 5 to 14 years.
Other acts gave the president the power to arrest
disloyal aliens or order them out of the country
during wartime.
A fourth act outlawed sedition. Saying or writing
anything false or harmful about the government
became illegal. Newspaper editors were arrested.
Many people thought the Alien and Sedition Acts
violated the First Amendment.
Used as a political tool against the Dem/Reps
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
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Written by Jefferson and Madison.
Asserted that states could decide whether
federal laws are “constitutional”
A threat to “federalism”
Propaganda showing citizens that Dem-Reps
were an alternative to the Federalists