Federalists vs Republicans John Adams and the Federalists

Federalists vs. Republicans John Adams and the Federalists were in power after President Washington’s term. Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic – Republicans formed an opposition party because they were upset with the Alien & Sedition Acts and a “Quasi-War” with France. 1. What was Thomas Jefferson’s party? 2. Which party did farmers and Southerners generally support? 3. Why did Jefferson form an opposition party?

Election of 1800 • Federalists – John Adams • 1 st sitting president who had to seriously campaign to keep his job – Charles Pinckney • Picked because of success from XYZ Affair • Democratic – Republican – Thomas Jefferson • VP who really wants to be POTUS – Aaron Burr • Popular politician within Democratic – Republican party

Review: • Adams and Jefferson were both founding fathers and friends prior to Adams becoming President. • Adams (a loose constructionist), and he infuriated Jefferson(a strict constructionist) when he passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. • Jefferson believed that the Acts were a violation of the 1 st amendment.

Election of 1800 • This was the nation’s first real election campaign. • Unlike today where candidates travel the country and ask people to vote for them, in 1800 the candidates gave their views to important people and newspapers. • The election got nasty! Each side published malicious lies about the other in the newspapers.

Election of 1800 Breakdown • Thomas Jefferson electoral votes • Aaron Burr electoral votes • John Adams electoral votes - 73 - 65 • Problem: – If there is a tie for 1 st, who wins? • Who becomes VPOTUS? • It goes to the House of Representatives to pick from the top 2 candidates!

In the case of a tie…House of Representatives picks the new POTUS • In the H of Reps – Most of the majority political party is the Federalists: • They refuse to vote for TJ – They pick Burr just because they hate Thomas Jefferson – The Democratic-Republican’s make up the rest • They vote for Jefferson • What happens? – It’s a tie vote 35 straight times…

Enter Alexander Hamilton • Because he hated Aaron Burr so much… – He got the Federalists to not vote at all • That way Jefferson could win! – Becomes 3 rd POTUS • Aaron Burr is furious – He becomes VPOTUS – Because of this…. » Aaron Burr and Hamilton will be lifelong enemies… • Until one shoots the other.

• Jefferson defeats Adams • Democratic. Republicans take power • 1 st peaceful transition of parties

• The Duel at Dawn…July 11, 1804 After continued conflict with Hamilton, Aaron Burr challenges Hamilton to the duel – They are to meet in New Jersey • Rules of duel: – They will march off 10 paces – They will turn and present arms – On command, they will fire at each other

The Death of Alexander Hamilton • Hamilton shoots the tree next to Burr • Burr shoots Hamilton in the chest – He dies the next day • With his death and John Adams retirement the Federalist party ends. • The Jefferson Era begins!

• 1 st President inaugurated in DC • Outlines his essential principles of a more limited government • “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. ”

• Lets the Alien & Sedition Acts expire • Cuts all internal taxes • Uses tariffs and sales of Western land to reduce the National Debt

The U. S. Constitution gets a new amendment • 12 th amendment – Added in 1803 • Created 2 ballots for presidential elections: • 1 for POTUS • 1 for VPOTUS • That way there can never be a tie again…. we hope.

• Jefferson had James Madison refuse to give a commission to one of John Adams’ “midnight judges” • Issue goes to the Supreme Court • Establishes the concept of “Judicial Review” • The Court may decide if a law is constitutional or not

• Owned by France (at war with England) • New Orleans controls the entire Mississippi River • Haitian Revolution makes the territory less valuable to France

• Jefferson is not sure if it’s Constitutional • Uses his treaty-making power • $15 million ( today $250 million) to double the size of the US

Goals for the new territory • Collect information about the land • Learn about plants and animals • Suggest sites forts • Find a Northwest Passage, or water route, across North

• Lewis & Clark hired to explore & find Northwest Passage • Sacajawea brought on as guide • Reach Pacific in Nov. 1805 • Open the way to settlement & claim on Oregon Territory • The group returned in 1806, and their findings encouraged others to want to move west.

The Jefferson Era: A Time Of Conflict • Because France and Britain were at war, they kept their merchant ships at home. • This allowed American merchants less competition. • American ships sailed along the North African cost and were at risk for attack by pirates.

• Barbary pirates from North Africa attack US ships & demand tributes. One of these countries was Tripoli. • Jefferson sent the USS Philadelphia & orders a blockade of Tripoli. • In 1804, the pirates took control of the USS Philadelphia. • US Navy burned the

• Jefferson sent the USS Constitution to blockade and assault Tripoli forts. • The pirates sign a treaty which ends tributes to Tripoli. • The US would continue to pay tributes to other Barbary states until 1816

• France & England’s war traps US in the middle • US ships & sailors harassed by both. In 1807, Britain fired on the US ship the Chesapeake killing three sailors. Many Americans wanted to declare war, but

The Embargo Act Fails • Act blocks trade against both countries; but really only hurts US merchants • In 1809, Congress ends the Embargo Act and replaces it with the Nonintercourse Act • This new law only stopped trade with Britain and France; it also

• Jefferson Era Comes to and End: Election of 1808 Jefferson did not run for a third term • Election of 1808 – Candidates were: • Republican candidate James Madison • Federalist candidate Charles Pinckney

• Jefferson’s hand-picked successor James Madison becomes the next President • Jefferson renews friendship with friend and political rival, John Adams • Both die on July 4, 1826 the 50 th anniversary of the