Transcript Launching the New Nation

Launching the New
Nation
The Beginning
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Washington elected President -> creates the cabinet
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Secretary of State = Thomas Jefferson
Secretary of Treasury = Alexander Hamilton
Secretary of War = Henry Knox
Amendments? -> Proposed in 2 ways
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New constitutional convention requested by 2/3 of states or vote from both houses
Bill of Rights
Judiciary Act of 1789 -> creates federal courts
Hamilton’s Influence
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Wanted to shape economy to favor wealthier groups
Wanted federal gov’t to take care of the national debt (funding at par)
Proposes idea of assumption -> take control of state debts too
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States argue this idea
Mass. likes idea, VA no so much (wants D.C. located on Potomac Rvr.)
National debt rises -> Hamilton decides tariffs were the way to go
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8% tariff on imports
Excise tax -> domestic items (ex. Whiskey)
Hamilton/Jefferson Round 1
• Hamilton proposes bank of the United States
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Funded primarily by federal gov’t
Stimulate business?
Print money when it is greatly needed
• Jefferson argues whether bank is constitutional or not
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Believed the states had power to regulate banks
• Hamilton gets his way and 1st Bank of United States was established
Moonshiners Fight Back
• Whiskey Rebellion
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Hamilton’s whiskey tax takes toll on these people
Began to harass revenue officers
Washington brings together militia
• Federal gov’t now gained new respect
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Also got criticism for use of force against own people
Emergence of Political Parties
• Political parties not around when Washington was President
• Jefferson and Madison organize group against Hamilton
• Creates the two-party system
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Leads to competition
Makes sure power stays with the people?
• Jefferson -> Democratic Republicans
• Hamilton -> Federalists
Jay’s Treaty/Farewell Washington
• Colonies wanted to stay neutral in war between France/Britain
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Becomes very difficult
• Last ditch effort sends John Jay to London
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British promise to evacuate posts on American soil
Britain would pay for damages to recent seizure of American ships
Forced U.S. to still honor post-Revolutionary debts
• Spain, fearful, enters into Pinckney’s Treaty
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Gives U.S. virtually everything they want (Free navigation of Miss. Rvr., Florida, etc.)
• Washington, tired, decides to retire
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Urges the country to avoid “permanent alliances”
John Adams + French Encounter
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John Adams vs Thomas Jefferson
Adams enters office just in time to fight with France
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French upset with Jay’s Treaty (began capturing merchant ships)
Adams wants to avoid war at all costs
Sends a group of people to France to negotiate a treaty
Hoped to meet with French foreign minister (XYZ affair)
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U.S. fights undeclared war, mostly at sea
France meets again with U.S. this time with proper representation
Convention of 1800
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Annulled the “alliance” but U.S. agreed to pay for damages
Federalist Witch Hunt
• Wanted minimize pro-Jeffersonian support
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Alien Acts
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Raised residence requirements for citizenship (14 yrs)
President could deport/imprison “dangerous” foreigners during time of hostility
Sedition Act
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Anyone who impeded the policies of the gov’t or falsely defamed its officals would be liable to a
heave fine/imprisonment
• Resolutions in VA (Madison) and KY (Jefferson)
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Belief gov’t had overstepped its boundaries
States had the right to “nullify” the Alien and Sedition Acts
Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans
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Table 10.3 (pg. 198)
Federalist -> those who “own” the country should “govern” it
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Supported by John Jay and Alexander Hamilton
Favored British ideals
Democratic Republicans -> make the common person “equal”
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Weak central gov’t and encouraged “rule of the people”
Supported by Thomas Jefferson
Favored French ideals