LAUNCHING THE NEW SHIP OF STATE -1789-1800

Chapter 10

A New Ship On An Uncertain Sea

Population growth. Kentucky, Tennessee, and

Ohio Trans-Appalachian

population was dubiously loyal

Economy in poor shape. Much of rest of world hostile.

Washington’s Pro-Federalist Regime

George Washington elected unanimously in 1789

Washington view of the presidency and presidential power

Cabinet

First Executive Departments

Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson

Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton

Secretary of War: Henry Knox

The Bill Of Rights

First Congress addressed matters left undone by Constitution

Bill of Rights Drafted by Madison Ratified in 1791 as first

10 Amendments to the Constitution.

Designed to protect rights of the people against actions of the government.

Key Provisions of Bill of Rights

First--Religion, speech, assembly Second – Bear arms Fourth--search and seizure Fifth-- life, liberty and property

(Due Process); freedom against self-incrimination; double jeopardy

Sixth--Speedy trial, trial by jury, assistance of counsel; public trial.

9th—List not exclusive

10th Amendment

Explicitly reserves all rights to the states not specifically delegated to federal government.

Makes clear the national government is one of specific and limited powers.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Created federal courts. Organized the Supreme Court Established the office of

Attorney General 1st Chief Justice = John Jay One of the worst jobs ever

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in new govt.

Secretary of Treasury. Fought in revolutionary war. Led key

charge at Yorktown. Aid to Washington. Key figure at Constitutional

convention. Author of many of the federalist

papers. Ally of Madison during the drafting

and ratification process. Strongly federalist.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

Hamilton wanted to correct the economic problems that plagued the young nation.

Plan: shape fiscal policies in a way to favor the wealthier groups. Why?

Plan has three parts: Funding and Assumption of the Debt Tariffs and Excise Taxes National Bank

Goals?

Funding and Assumption

National credit terrible because of all the unpaid debt

Plan: Pay national debt “at par” (full value) and assume the state’s debts.

This increases debt of US, but restores credit rating.

Makes a lot of wealthy people wealthier, too. Why?

Hamilton believed that assuming the nation and state debt would strengthen the unity of young nation. Why?

Hamilton's Financial Structure Supported by Revenues

Customs Duties And Excise Taxes

National debt had soared to $75 million because of Funding and Assumption

How to Pay? Tariff Excise Taxes

Tariff depended on a vigorous foreign trade. Britain is main trading partner This is VIP to understanding

Hamilton’s foreign policy toward GB

National Bank

Third leg of Hamilton’s plan Modeled on Bank of England,

Nature and purpose? Benefits:

Increase money in circulation by making US funds available for loans—stimulate business

Provide stable bank notes (paper money) Increases money in circulation Stabilizes the money in circulation

Stabilizes private banks

Debate over Constitutionality of Bank

Jefferson argued that the bank was Unconstitutional. 10th Amendment

Hamilton argued was constitutional Nec. and Proper Clause. Jefferson’s response

Washington sides with Hamilton. Is a Federalist at heart.

Bank of the US chartered in 1791 for 20 years located in Philadelphia with capital of $10

million.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 in Southwest Pennsylvania

Hamilton’s high excise tax hurt pioneers Why?

Defiant distillers brought collections to a halt. Tarring and feathering. Saw as little different than

taxes imposed by the Brits.This Mountain Tea Kettle as it was referred to in the 1800's is an authentic replica of the whiskey stills the pioneers hand forged out of pure copper to brew their shine

Whiskey Rebellion

G. Washington alarmed.

He and Hamilton lead troops to put down.

Easily defeated Significance?

The Emergence Of Political Parties

Framers attitude toward political parties. Began to arise in Washington

Administration. Reasons? Hamilton—Federalists Jefferson—Democratic Republicans

The Impact Of The French Revolution French Revolution starts a few

weeks after Washington inaugurated.

Dramatically affects US foreign policy for next 26 years.

Reign of terror. Soon France and England at

war. Hamilton and Federalists tend

to be nervous of revolution and favor the Brits. Why?

Jefferson and Dem.-Rep. favor revolution and France. Why?

Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation

The Franco-American alliance of 1778 was to last forever.

What did the treaty require of US? Many Dem-Rep. wanted to honor alliance

and take another shot at GB President Washington felt war should be

avoided at all costs. Why?

Why do Federalists argue the treaty isn’t valid?

Neutrality Proclamation

Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation of 1793 stated government’s official neutrality sternly warned American citizens to be

impartial Significance: Jeffersonians were mad. Why? Citizen Edmond Genet

Embroilments With Britain

British won’t leave forts. Reasons

British aiding and stirring up Indians Reasons

Battle of Fallen Timbers “Mad” Anthony Wayne Treaty of Grenville Significance

British seize ships and impress sailor. Reasons ConsequencesBBBBBBBBBBBB

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Jay’s Treaty

Washington sent John Jay to London in 1794 to try to settle difference.

Jay's Treaty, in which the British promised to evacuate the chain of posts on U.S. soil and pay for damages for the seizures of American ships. 

Britain stopped short of pledging anything about future maritime seizures or about supplying arms to Indians. 

The treaty also called for the U.S. to continue to pay the debts owed to British merchants on pre-Revolutionary War accounts

Jay’s Treaty

Terms Britain will evacuate the

chain of forts Agreed to pay damages from

seizures of American ships. But, refuses to stop future

ship seizures or impressments

Refuses to stop supplying arms to Indians.

U.S. must ensure that Americans pay the debts still owed to British merchants on pre-Revolutionary accounts.

Jay’s Treaty Consequences

Furthers the development of political parties

Leads to Pinckney’s Treaty of 1795. Why?

US gets: 31st parallel established as the border

between the U.S. and West Florida Spain agreed to allow the U.S. free

navigation of Mississippi River to Gulf of Mexico and granted the right of deposit in New Orleans for 3 years.

Both nations agreed not to incite Indian attacks against each other.

Washington’s Farewell Address

Washington Extols the benefits of the federal government Warns against the party system Stresses the importance of religion and

morality Warns against permanent foreign alliances.

Washington’s Accomplishments

Election of 1796

Why do Federalists pick John Adams over Hamilton?

Jefferson runs for Dem.-Rep. Nasty and personal campaign John Adams won 71 to 68 in the Electoral

College on the strength of the NE vote. As runner-up Jefferson is vice president (that

isn’t changed until the 12th Amendment in 1804)

John Adams

Adams tactless, prickly, stuffy, intellectual. “His Rotundity.”

In first 36 years of presidency, only president not a Virginian. Only one-term president.

Inherits problems with England

Hamilton fights him for control of party

XYZ Affair

France was upset with Jay's Treaty and it started capturing American merchant ships. 

President John Adams sent John Marshall to France to negotiate in 1797.  Hoping the meet Talleyrand, the French foreign minister, Adams's envoy was secretly approached by 3 go-betweens, later referred to as X, Y, and Z The French demanded a bribe of $250,000 just to talk to Talleyrand. 

Americans refuse

Results of XYZ Affair

War hysteria. “Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute.”

War Preparations: Navy Department was created The U.S. Marine Corps was

established New army of 10,000 men was

authorized Leads to 2 ½ years of undeclared

naval warfare with France.

French Back Down

French actions are backfiring on France. How?

French receive new American envoy

Bonaparte takes power and agrees to new treaty with US.

Convention of 1800 Terms

Significance

The Federalist Witch Hunt

Naturalization Act-extended from 5 to 14 years the residency prior to citizenship

Alien Act-Authorized President to expel all aliens considered dangerous

Alien Enemies Act- empowered Arrest in of time of war, or Banishment

Alien & Sedition Acts 1798 Sedition Act- Made it a Misdemeanor for

anyone (Citizen or alien) to conspire in opposition to “any measure or measures of the gov’t or to aid any insurrection, riot, unlawful assembly, or combination.” Fines & imprisonment for people who “write, print, utter, or publish any false, scandalous and malicious writing bringing the gov’t into disrepute”

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The Federalist Witch Hunt

Jeffersonian newspaper editors indicted Ten brought to trial, all convicted Law expired in 1801 Due to anti-French hysteria Federalist

win big in the mid term elections Jeffersonians fight back - carefully

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The Federalist Witch Hunt

Virginia and Kentucky Resolves Argued that the government was formed by a compact

among the states and that the federal powers were limited to those delegated in the Constitution.

The validity of laws passed by the government under supposedly unauthorized powers should be determined by the members of the compact, the states.

Another resolution, passed by the Kentucky legislature in 1799, called for a formal nullification by the states of any law deemed objectionable.. 

Other states reluctant to follow the two states' resolutions.

The principles stated in the resolutions later were used to support nullification and secession.

FEDERALISTS V. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICANS

Federalists Founder — Hamilton wanted rule by “best people”

and advocated a strong central government

Government should support private enterprise not interfere — this was liked by merchants, manufacturers, and shippers.

pro-British in foreign affairs a powerful central bank Restrictions of free speech

and press. Concentrated on seacoast Strong navy to protect

shippers.

Democratic-Republicans Thomas Jefferson appealed to middle class and

underprivileged (common man)

Weak central government. States should have the bulk of

power. Strict interpretations of

Constitution. Did not favor the national

debt. No special privileges for

special classes like manufacturers.

Agriculture was favored branch of economy

Followers were from the South and Southwest.

Rule of people Pro-French.