Transcript Unit5_FederalistEra - amstudies-lhs

The Federalist Era
1787 - 1800
Washington’s First Term
Problems facing George Washington:
1. Economic:
- Debts
- Depression
2. Foreign Policy
- English / Indian alliance
- French / British rivalry
3. Political division
- Hamilton v. Jefferson
- Federalist v. Republicans
- Sectionalism (South, Middle, New England)
Washington’s First Cabinet
Henry
Knox:
Secretary
of War
Alexander
Hamilton:
Secretary of
the Treasury
Thomas
Jefferson:
Secretary of
State
John
Adams:
Vice
President
Hamilton’s Financial System
1.) “Trickle down” economics
- benefits the wealthy and economic growth will
“trickle down” to the masses
2.) “Funding at par”
- pay all bond debts at 100% of its value
3.) “Assumption” of States’ debts
- Federal government should pay all of State’s
bond debts; ensures loyalty of the wealthier
classes.
4.) High tariffs & excise tax on whiskey
The Bank of the United States
(Hamilton’s view)
- Would provide a safe place to keep tax
revenue for the US government
- Would regulate state banks
- Would provide low-interest loans to
industrial classes (rich people)
The Bank of the United States
(Jefferson’s View)
- Tax system hurt the farming classes
- Money lent to industrialists came from
farming classes
- Unconstitutional
- Dictatorial
Reactions to the Bank of U.S.
• Washington sides with Hamilton
• Jefferson and Madison form an opposition
party (the Democrat-Republicans)
The Political Division
The Federalists:
- Pro-industry
- Pro-England (due to
trade needs)
- High tariffs and excise
taxes (i.e. whiskey)
- Strong centralized govt.
- Favored the wealthy
Democratic-Republicans:
- Pro-agriculture
- Pro-France
- Opposed to taxes
- Strong State governments
- Favored the middle and
lower classes
The Whiskey Rebellion
- Revolt caused by farmers/whiskey producers angry
about the tax on whiskey
- Revolt put down by Washington
- Shows the strength of the new Constitution
The French are Rebelling (in France)
• Split between the Feds and D-Rs
• Split within the government:
- Hamilton opposes supporting the
revolutionaries
- Jefferson wants
support for the
revolutionaries
The Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)
• Authored by Hamilton
• Issued by Washington
• Led to the precedent of
non-involvement and
neutrality in foreign affairs
More Problems with the British
• Impressment of American sailors
Seizure of American
ships and cargo; act of
war by the British
Indian Uprisings
• Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)
• Evidence of British
aid and involvement
• Violation of Treaty
of Paris (1783)
Jay’s Treaty
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Tensions rise again between Britain & US
Jay sent to London
Goal to stop British aid to Natives
Treaty heavily favors Britain
Terms of Jay's Treaty
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British must evacuate all forts in West
British allowed to keep fur trade w/ Natives
Americans limited trade in West Indies,
none with Canada
People are outraged
Hang Jay's effigy in cities
Demand he resign
Washington's Farewell Address
• December, 1796
• Authored by Hamilton
• Emphasized neutrality in foreign affairs
“they (the US) should with sincerity
and good faith adopt and pursue a
conduct friendly and impartial
toward the belligerent Powers.”
Presidential Precedents
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Washington created
Cabinet to advise him on
certain issues
Position of Neutrality in
Foreign Affairs
Creating Laws (only done
by Legislative Branch)
Took title “Mr. President”
Stepped down after 2
terms (8 years)
The Election of 1796
The Federalists ➲ Democrat-Republicans
- Strong central govt. - Strong State govts.
- Pro-France
- Pro-Britain
- Pro-agriculture
- Pro-industry
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The Election of 1796
Issues:
- Jay’s Treaty
- Hamilton’s financial system
- Foreign policy
Results:
Adams – Pres.
Jefferson – VP
The XYZ Affair
- American diplomats extorted for a bribe
from unknown French diplomats
- US rejects demands, leaves France
Reaction to the XYZ Affair
• Federalists pressure Adams to pursue war
- Adams resists, but unofficial “war” breaks
out in the Caribbean & North Africa
- Two year conflict with France begins
The Alien and Sedition
Acts
Passed by Federalist Congress
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The Alien Acts
- Deports non-US
residents supportive
of the French
- Aimed at newly
arrived immigrants,
primarily D-R
supporters
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The Sedition Acts
- Made criticism of the
war, the President, or
the Congress illegal
- Aimed at D-Rs
Controversy over the Acts
- Virginia and Kentucky
Resolutions
- Proposed by Jefferson &
Madison to oppose
A & S Acts
- Doctrine of nullification:
States can counteract or
not enforce federal laws
A Growing Nation
American Demographics
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3.9 million inhabitants
750,000 African Americans;
over 660,000 were slaves
150,000 Native Americans:
- not enumerated on census or counted
as citizens
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48% of counted inhabitants were
under the age of 16
America in 1800
• Government is extremely divided
• “War” with France, Alien & Sedition Acts
make Adams very unpopular
• Divided country; birth of political parties