Liberty and Order in the 1790’s

Problems faced by the US prior to the Constitutional convention were still present How to solve the debt problem

Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of the treasury Hamilton developed a plan

Federal government would take over debts of the states

Hamilton’s Strategy Hamilton felt that by owing the creditors from the

national level, they, in turn would have a vested interest in the new country Gave the US better chance to survive

Outlined regular payment plan that would include interest (extra sum of money that borrowers pay lenders in return for a loan)

1791 – congress placed tax on Whiskey

1792 – congress created a tariff or tax on foreign goods imported into the country

Hamilton’s strategy In order to handle the extraordinary amount of

money, congress created the Bank of the United States in 1791

Transformed the debts of the state governments into a long-term investment for the US

Hamilton’s opponents Many objected to the interference of the federal

government into the affairs of state governments

Opponents saw the federalist program as a return to aristocracy and monarchy

Major opponent – Secretary of State Jefferson

Within Washington’s cabinet, Jefferson was constantly at odds with Hamilton as Washington frequently sided with Hamilton

Jefferson resigned in 1793 as secretary of state

Jefferson vs Hamilton Respective viewpoints can be described as their

construction, or view of the constitution.

Jefferson – “strict construction” - he believed that the government should not do anything – such as start a national bank – that the constitution did not specifically say it should do

Hamilton – “loose construction” – thought constitution was only a loose framework on which the government could build laws upon as it saw fit.

French Revolution 1789 people of France started the revolution in the

name of “liberty, fraternity, and equality”.

People could not decide how these ideas would lead to reality.

Result was a prolonged period of violence known as the “Reign of Terror”.

Thousands of people including King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette were executed.

American Reaction Federalists, in general were opposed to the

revolution

Jefferson and his supporters saw the French Revolution as an extension of the American Revolution Applauded the rejection of government by kings

and its acceptance of a republican government

Who to Support Soon after the French Revolution, war broke out

between Britain and France

Nation could not afford to offend the British whose navy dominated the oceans.

Few, however, wanted to abandon the French who had helped the Americans during the war for independence.

The best strategy was to remain neutral

April 1793 Washington issued the proclamation of neutrality

The Whiskey Rebellion Whiskey was an important product on

the frontier land of Western PA Was one of the few products that could

be made out of corn and taken to market without spoiling

Became useful in bartering, currency in a way.

1794, opposition to the Whiskey tax was so strong that PA tended to be in a state of rebellion against the authority of the federal government.

The Whiskey Rebellion Similar to Shay’s Rebellion and the

Stamp act in that rebels closed courts and attacked tax collectors

Washington and Hamilton saw the rebellion as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of the federal government

1794, an army of 12,000 under the command of General “Light Horse Harry” Lee accompanied by Hamilton led the army to the Pittsburgh area. The rebellion soon dissolved.

Jay’s treaty Arguments grew in the debate over who to

support in the war, England or France Washington and Hamilton eventually agreed

that the long term interests of the US would be better served to side with Great Britain

Chief Justice John Jay was sent to London to negotiate.

Britain agreed to leave the Forts it occupied in the Northwest Territory

Other provisions were added to expand trade between the two.

Jay’s Treaty Jay was unsuccessful in convincing the

British from stopping American ships at sea in order to find British subjects

Critics of the treaty claimed that it left American shipping unprotected

Many Americans saw it as a sell-out to the hated British

Treaty was ratified in 1795 Federalists had established an economic

program, suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion, and made peace with the British.

With all this in place, still federalists had lost the support of many americans.

Election of 1796 Federalists: John Adams

Democratic Republicans: Thomas Jefferson

Adams wins, TJ = VP

Remember, it used to be that the top two finishers in an election became Pres and VP

How do you think they got along?

John Adams: the first Red Sox fan

Drama

OK, you already know that TJ and JA worked together on the Dec. Of Independence

They were pretty good friends for awhile after that, but serving together seriously damaged the relationship

They held completely different political beliefs: TJ was more of a small government guy, and JA was a big government guy

For the rest of their lives they were on and off enemies, but eventually reconciled before they died on the same day on July 4, 1826

Ah, Les Francais and the XYZ Affair

France mad about Jay Treaty, they feel betrayed (well, they might have a point about that)

France starts harassing U.S. ships, just like the British did

John Adams sends US delegates sent to France to deal with the problem

3 French secret agents (X, Y, and Z) meet them

Cont’d

Refuse to meet with unless they pay $250,000- was this really a bribe?

US delegates refuse

Undeclared Naval war starts, also known as the ‘Quasi War’

Lets ponder….

Review:

What’s going on with France?

What restrictions are there today on freedom of speech?

Why are there these restrictions?

Where in your homework was there an example of a restriction on free speech?

Impact on US citizens

The government began to construct forts in cities along the coast

The government approved the creation of a standing army with Hamilton

Alien and Sedition Acts

- Instead of 5 years, it now took 14 years to become a citizen

- The President could imprison any immigrant if they were going against the US

- Punished newspaper publishers for printing anything that spoke out against the government

Continued… set jail time and fines for

people who spoke against the government of the US

John Adams never jailed an immigrant, but the government did arrest some reporters

14 Republican journalists prosecuted

Opposition to Acts Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions created by Madison and TJ

They said a state could void any national law, and that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional

Were they right? What do you think would happen if a state could decide to enforce a national law?

TJ: that sneaky person that proposed the Virginia Resolution

Tension with France Increases

Increase army and navy

Hamilton put in charge of both

Adams open negotiations with France

truce reached

divides Federalist Party and hurts Adams

Election of 1800: Candidates

Thomas Jefferson (with Aaron Burr) John Adams (with Charles Cotesworth

Pinckney)

Things that hurt Federalists

Tax

Problems w/ France

Alien and Sedition Act

Arrogance

Results

Burr and TJ tied in the electoral college

Because of the tie, the House of Reps had to vote on the next President

The Federalists still controlled the House, so they persuaded Burr to challenge TJ

Burr was the lesser of two evils for the Federalists

On the 36th ballot, TJ won the election

Jefferson’s goals as President

Reduce size and expense of government

Repeal Alien and Sedition Laws

Jefferson and the CourtProblem: Judiciary Act of 1801

Supreme court justices went from 6 to 516 new positions

Jefferson’s solution

removed as many as he could

Any problems with this???

Marbury v. Madison Marbury sues Madison

(secretary of state) for not delivering his appointment

Marshall rules that Madison was wrong

but also that Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional

Establishes power of Judicial Review