The New Republic An Age of Political Passion

The New Republic An Age of Political Passion, 17891800

• • • Choosing the 1 st President – Electoral College 2/4/1789 • Washington President • Adams Vice-President Completing the Constitution – James Madison-VA (F) • Recognized the political necessity of amendments • 12 went to States/10 Bill of Rights • Cured most fears of Anti-Federalists Filling Out the Branches of Government – Constitution doesn’t mention a cabinet for executive but GW puts one in place establishing precedent of advisors for a president • Sec of State: Jefferson- Republican • Sec of Treasury: Hamilton-Federalist • Sec of War: Knox • Attorney Gen: Edmund Randolph • Chief Justice: John Jay – Gdub’s choices included a wide section of the political spectrum – Anti-Federalist feared that the Const. created a large, expensive, and bureaucratic • 350 total for the Federal Govt. • Couple of buildings near Wall Street Launching the New Government Yes, I am George Ha Ha I beat you Mason and I am Anti-Federalist somewhat James happy with the Monroe!!! Now, Bill of Rights. the Constitution will be more Fed. Friendly!!! TJ you only get only 5 employees.

• Hamilton’s Vision for the New Republic – America a powerful nation w/ strong government and strong commercial economy (like Great Britain) – Very controversial views: conflict w/ Anti-Federalist & Madison & TJ • • • Elitist who view democracy w/ suspicion. Class divisions Must have ties to rich & powerful that most be tied to the new govt. Hamilton’s Ambitious Program – Successful lawyer & powerful friends in NY merchant business & influential politician • Hamilton's Financial Plan – Congress requested report on new Economy • “Report on Public Credit” – $11 Million to Foreign / $ 63 Million to Citizens – Assumption of the State's Debt » Consolidate State and Fed debt (Ties them to the new govt) Buy old govt. money (notes) and replace with new notes at equal or better value (create better credit) » Sell new govt. bonds (create int’l credit) Whiskey Tax » – – Wanted a permanently funded national debt – Most Controversial issue was the speculation in the paper notes (Poor sold notes early to speculators who would benefitted with Ham’s plan) – Dinner Compromise at Jefferson’s Home • Capital move to Potomac River in exchange of Hamilton's Plan

• Madison's Opposition – His desire to preserve the constitutional system – His vision of republican agrarian society differed than Ham’s powerful merchant state – Beginning of Parties • Federalist # 10 vs. “A Candid State of Parties” – Two Parties Republican Party vs. Anti-Republican Party (Federalist) Hamilton’s Ambitious Program

• Ham’s Report on Bank of the United States – Bolster confidence in govt. securities (only 3 private banks), loans, and stable currency – Govt & private owned – Tie wealthy to new govt. – Opposition: Loose interpretation vs. Strict interpretation Madison = Strict “spirit of 1787” & protect state’s & people’s rights Hamilton = Loose “necessary and proper” & implied powers • Still a controversial issue!!!! – Federalist controlled Congress & Washington did not veto: B. U. S. Charter created • Ham’s Report on Mint – Federal Currency • Ham’s Report on Manufactures – Protective tariff to protect infant US industries • George Washington sided almost always with Hamilton and against Madison and Jefferson Hamilton’s Ambitious Program

• Jefferson vs. Hamilton: Contrasting Visions of the Republic Hamilton’s Ambitious Program

• French Revolution in America – Republicans supported the Revolution – Federalists denounced the excess • Adams vs. Clinton: A Contest for VP – Both parties unified behind Gdub but went after other Federalist, Adams – Division begins Anti-Fed George Clinton carried South Conflicts at Home and Abroad

• Diplomatic Controversies and Triumphs – British Problems • US vessels no longer under British protection • British remained in NW Forts & stirring up trouble with Indians • Confiscated our ships, cargo, and men trading with France • Jay’s Treaty of 1795 – G. B. compensate for confiscation & vacate forts (Didn’t do both) – Denied US right to be neutral and trade w/ France – Republicans were outraged with generous terms – Best case scenario: Jay negotiated with Britain from a position of weakness – Spanish Problems • Controlled Mississippi River & N. O. • Pinckney Treaty 1795 – Access to River and New Orleans – Pinckney negotiated with Spain from a position of strength (Spain feared that US wanted Florida!!!) Conflicts at Home and Abroad

• Violence along the Frontier – Pan-Indian War along frontier • Two major defeats for US Army and failure to secure peace • Gen. Mad Anthony Wayne defeated the tribes at the Battle of Fallen Timbers 1794 • Treaty Of Greenville Indians out of Ohio River Valley for settlement – Whiskey Rebellion-1794 • Resentment against Hamilton's tax on whiskey • Backcountry farmers turned grain into whiskey for transportation and for profit • Peaceful turns violence (500 march on tax collector’s house/two killed and house burned, oh here we go again!!!) • Gdub sent militia to put down rebellion after failed attempts (150 arrested/two treasons and pardoned) Conflicts at Home and Abroad

Stormy Presidency of John Adams • Washington’s Farewell – Sets precedent by not seeking a third term – Sets precedent of peaceful handing over of power – Election of 1796 • Federalist-John Adams & Pinckney • Republicans-Jefferson & Burr – Washington’s Farewell Address • Warned against political parties and ‘foreign entanglements’ • Set a tone of ‘isolationism’ for the next 100 years!

• • John Adams as President “Big shoes to fill” Really!!!” – Thomas Jefferson VP due to original Constitution not predicting the rise of parties (1 st Pres/2 nd VP) – Hamilton had attempted to unseat Adams (Federalist divided) XYZ Affair and Quasi-War with France – Crisis was reaching a head with France over British favoritism • France recalled ambassadors • Seized our ships that traded w/GB – Adams sent diplomats to negotiate peace • French Directory required a $250, 000 bribe before talking, $12 million loan and Adams to apologize – Galvanized support to declare war on France/Adams resisted pressure from Hamilton's cronies – Undeclared Naval War/Quasi-War 17981800 • Adams created new Department of Navy • Tripled the size of army/ Washington w/ Hamilton as aide (controversial) Stormy Presidency of John Adams VS.

• Alien and Sedition Acts – Protect America from the danger of foreign and domestic subversion – Federalist viewpoint • Alien Acts Parts 1 -3 Directed against Aliens/made it more difficult to become citizen/eased deportation • Sedition Act- Directed against US citizens: illegal to speak against policies of government (Prez and Congress, but not VP) • Federalists targeted 25 individuals ALL Republican sympathizers (printers, politicians, and public figures) – Republican view point • Alien Parts 1 -3 - Weakened Republican voter base…French and Irish Immigrants • Sedition Act- Aimed at weakening free speech of anti-Federalists and their election opportunities – Madison & Jefferson respond with Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • Jefferson introduced that states could nullify unconstitutional laws. • State’s Rights Theory • Federalist New England voted down and stated that Federal Courts have the final say not states on the constitutionality of laws Stormy Presidency of John Adams You get a $400 fine and 18 months for that one… “No Stamp Act, No Sedition, no Alien Bills, no Land Tax (to pay for new army): downfall to the Tyrants of America, peace and retirement to the President, long live the Vice-President”

• Disputed Election of 1800 – Jefferson defeats Adams in election of 1800 because Federalist had raised taxes to prepare for a war with France that never came…Feds also had split over war with France and didn’t fully support Adams…Alien and Sedition were incredibly unpopular – Federalist Legacy • Hamilton's financial policies/loose interpretation • Precedents of Washington’s administration • NO WAR with France • Preserved democratic gains of the Revolution • Opposition to Hamiltonian Federalists created first two-party system – John Adams steps aside – Friends burry the old hatchet Stormy Presidency of John Adams