1789-1800 Chapter 10: Launching a New Ship of State.
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Transcript of 1789-1800 Chapter 10: Launching a New Ship of State.
1789-1800
Chapter 10: Launching a New
Ship of State
Chapter 10 Vocabulary
1. Tallyrand2. Strict construction3. Cabinet4. Bank of the United States5. Bill of Rights6. Jay’s Treaty7. Neutrality Proclamation of 17938. Whiskey Rebellion9. Alien and Sedition Acts10. XYZ Affair
Population Changes
Constitution launched in 17891790 first census taken
About 4 million people Population doubling every 25 years
Cities booming 90% of the population still lives in rural areas95% live East of the Appalachian MountainsKentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio become states
within 14 years Vermont = 14th state in 1791
People in frontier areas resistive and questionably loyal
Governmental ChangesGeorge Washington
drafted as President by electoral college in 1789. Only presidential nominee
honored by unanimity Commanded followers by
strength of character rather than by the arts of politicians
Takes oath of office April 30, 1789
Washington’s stamp Creates cabinet not
outlined in the Constitution (1789)1. Secretary of State:
Thomas Jefferson2. Secretary of Treasury:
Alexander Hamilton3. Secretary of War:
Henry Knox4. Attorney General:
Edmond Randolph
Bill of RightsNew amendments could be proposed 2 ways:
2/3rds vote in both houses of Congress A new constitutional convention requested by 2/3rds of
the statesMadison brings amendments to the Congress Adopted in 1791 Amendments 1-10 (known as the Bill of Rights)Safeguard of American principles
Ex: freedom of press, religion, speech, assembly, prohibits cruel and unusual punishment
9th and 10th amendments added to preserve strong central government while giving minorities and individual rights
Judicial BranchJudiciary Act of 1789:
creates effective federal courts Organizes Supreme Court Federal courts, circuit
courts, and establishes the attorney general (the 4th cabinet position)
John Jay becomes first Supreme Court Chief Justice 1789
Alexander HamiltonBorn in British West Indies“Father of the National Debt”Plan to shape policies in a
way that would favor the wealthy Their gratefulness would lend
support monetarily to central gov’t
Prosperity would trickle down to masses
Urges Congress to “fund at par” the government Federal government pays off
debts at face value plus interest totaling more than $54 million
Hamilton’s financial plans
Urges Congress to shoulder state debts as wellMakes case for “assumption”
State debts could be regarded as proper national obligation, because they were incurred during the war for independence
Assumption would link states and federal governmentSupport of the rich for the national
administration was a crucial link for Hamilton’s political strategy of strengthening the central government
Heavy debt states Small debt states
MassachusettsHappy with
proposal
Virginia Not happy with
proposalVA: wants DC to be
located on Potomac river
State Reactions
New GovernmentNational debt reaches $75 millionHamilton believes that within reason national
debt is a “national blessing”With more creditors there are more people
invested in, have a stake in, the success of the nation
Paying off the interest
Custom duties Based off of tariff which were based off vigorous
foreign trade1st tariff law imposed a tariff of about 8% on
the value of dutiable imports Passed by Congress in 1789
Revenue is the main goal Measure was designed to erect a low protective wall
around infant industries Hamilton argues strongly in favor of more protection
for the well-to-do manufacturing groups
Congress still dominated by agricultural and commercial interests
It voted only 2 slight increases in the tariff during Washington’s presidency
Hamilton seeks additional internal revenue 1791 Congress passes excise tax on few
domestic items (ex. Whiskey) 7cents/gallon Distillers took on most of the tax Most distillers live in backcountry
Hamilton’s Bank
Based on the Bank of EnglandProposes powerful private institution where the
government would be the major stockholderFederal treasury would deposit its surplus
monies Federal monies would stimulate business by
remaining in circulationBank prints needed paper money with backing
that was sound and stable for national currency
Bank’s constitutionality
Jefferson argues against bank No specific authorization in
Constitution All powers not specifically granted
were given to states (amendment 10) States not Congress had the power to
charter banks Jefferson will embrace “strict
constructionist” theory “literal” or “strict” interpretation of
the Constitution Believes what the constitution does
not permit it forbids
Bank’s Constitutionality
Hamilton replies to Jefferson’s argument Believes that what the Constitution does
not forbid it permits Loose constructionist view (“loose” or
“broad” interpretation) Invokes the Elastic clause: “necessary and
proper” laws can be passed by Congress Gov’t is explicitly empowered to collect
taxes and regulate trade and thus it is not only proper but necessary to create a national bank to help facilitate these duties – an “implied” power
By virtue of implied powers Congress could establish a Bank of the United States
Who Wins?Hamilton’s views win
argumentWashington reluctantly
signed the bank measure into law
Most enthusiastic support for bank: from commercial and financial centers of the North
Most opposition: from agricultural South
Bank of the United States
Created by Congress in 1791Chartered for 20 yearsLocated in PhiladelphiaCapital of $10 million1/5th of it was owned by federal governmentStock thrown open to public for sale
All stocks were sold within the first 2 hours
Whiskey Rebellion
1794Southwestern Pennsylvania Challenges new governmentBased off of Hamilton’s high
excise tax on whiskeyView tax as one on an
economic necessityWhiskey poles erected “Liberty and No Excise Tax”Tarred and feathered revenue
officers– stopping collections
Washington’s Response
Washington summons militia from several states (appox. 13,000 men)
No resistance “whiskey boys” were
overawed, dispersed or captured
Small rebellion --- 3 rebels killed
Result: George Washington’s government commanded respect This is the only time a sitting
president, the commander and chief, has ever physically led troops “into battle”.
Responses to Hamilton’s fiscal feats
Many Americans not happy with federal government becoming so big overshadowing states’ rights
Organizations begin to form out of opposition to Hamilton’s policies
Hamilton and Jefferson’s personal feud turns into full-blown political rivalry
Political Parties
Whigs, Tories, federalists, antifederalists are all factions that formed over specific issues and disappeared when the issue resolved
Founders didn’t picture political parties to be permanent
Opposition to national government goes against spirit of national unity inspired by Revolution
Jefferson and Madison don’t expect long-lived political party
Parties good idea?
Competition for power has proved to be indispensible ingredient of a sound democracy
Party out of power plays the balancing role ensuring politics never drift too far out of kilter of the people’s wishes
(Pg. 197 political parties)
French Revolution
1789 first act of the French Revolution26 years later peace ensuedFrench Revolution had deep scars and impact
on American political and social lifeFrench revolution sent tremors throughout
most of Western World. Americans supported Revolution at first
sympathizing with revolutionaries despising despotism
French Revolution
Federalists- fear change, reform, were outspoken and hostile to “despicable mobocracy”
Jeffersonians- overjoyed1792 Revolution takes a turn
France declares war on hostile AustriaFrance defeats Austria and America
celebrates1793 King beheaded Reign of Terror begins
Federalists- disapproveJeffersonians- regret bloodshed
“One could not expect to be carried from ‘despotism to liberty in a feather bed’…A few thousand aristocratic heads were a cheap price to pay for human freedom.” - Jefferson
As battle rages on America is involved through trade and control of the Atlantic Ocean
Washington’s Neutrality
ProclamationFranco-American Alliance of 1778
Set to “last forever” US bound to help the French defend West Indies
against future foesJeffersonian Democratic-Republicans: favor
honoring the alliance Claim America owes France its freedom
Washington and Hamilton believe war should be avoided at all costs (Jefferson will agree as well)
Washington thinks that if America can avoid war for a generation or two then it will be strong enough to truly enter the world stage
Neutrality Proclamation of 1793 proclaimed neutrality and warns against American citizens involvement
Jeffersonians - enraged by neutrality (pro French)Federalists- encouraged (pro British)
French emissary, Edmond Genet
Tries to overrule Washington
Use American lands to seize territory for French
Neutrality Proclamation illustrates that self-interest is the best cement of alliances
British had forts in frontier violating peace treaty of 1783
London reluctant to abandon because of fur trade
Hoped Indians would serve as buffer British openly sell firearms and liquor to the
Miami ConfederacyMiami Confederacy: alliance of 8 Indian nation
who terrorized Americans invading their lands.
Miami ConfederacyLittle Turtle- chief of the Miamis
Miami, Chippewa, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Lenni Lenape, Shawnee, and Illinois
Treaty of Greenville August of 1795 Indians give up vast areas of
Old Northwest (today’s Ohio and Indiana)
Indians received lump sum of $20,000 and annual annuity of $9,000 ($365,442 and $164,449 today)
Sovereignty of Indian nationsMichikinikwa
British naval issues
British navy ignores America’s right to neutrality and impresses American seamen into service
Cry for war against Britain arises
Jay’s Treaty
John Jay sent by Washington to London 1794Hamilton undermined Jay’s work in LondonJay won:
British pledge to abandon forts on US soil British pledge to pay for damage to American ships
that had been seizedJay said America would pay debts still owed
to British merchants from pre-Revolution
Democratic-Republicans
Revitalized by Jay’s treatyViewed treaty as a surrender to
Britain Affected the south badly
Unforeseen Consequences
Pinkerton’s Treaty of 1795 (with Spain) Americans given free navigation of the
Mississippi and the large disputed territory north of Florida
Washington’s Retirement
1796 Washington retiresWarns to avoid permanent treatiesFavored temporary alliances (for extreme
emergencies)Central government was established soundlyLeaves office in 1797Sets a two term precedent
Presidential Election of 1796
John Adams: 71 electoral votes
Thomas Jefferson: 68 electoral votes
Adams: stubborn, unpopular
Trouble with cabinet- (Hamilton)
Inherits the trouble with France
French issues
French upset by Jay’s treatyView it as a step toward alliance with Britain
Violating Franco-American Treaty of 1778Adams tries to reach diplomatic agreementsSent commission of 3 men:
John Marshall among men
XYZ
1797 envoys reach Paris hoping to meet Talleyrand, the French foreign minister
Secretly approached by 3 go-betweens known as X-Y-Z
French demanded: a bribe of $250,000 for privilege of meeting Talleyrand and an unneutral loan of 32 million florins
Americans refused to payWar looms– Federalists happy over war,
Jeffersonians upset “millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute”
“millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute” slogan
US prepares for war Navy created Marine corps reestablished New army authorized Bloodshed confined to the sea (mostly
West Indies) 1798-1800, 2 years of undeclared
hostilities Only a slight push might have plunged
theses nations into a full war
France realizes their mistake
France wants no war and Talleyrand is open to a new American envoy
Adams knows in order to keep nation in one piece, war must be avoided
Submits a new minister of France to Senate (1799) Enrages Hamiltonians Jeffersonians are happy
Treaty signedNapoleon Bonaparte had
seized dictatorship and Napoleon wants to be rid
of American problemsConvention of 1800
signed in ParisFrance agreed to annul
the 22 year agreement (previously set up)
Smoothed way for peaceful negotiations of LA Purchase later
Federalist Witch-Hunt
Feds. Capitalize on anti-French sentiments to pass laws in Congress in 1798
1st aimed at pro-Jeffersonian “aliens” Immigrants, lack wealth Welcomed as voters by
Jeffersonians; scorned by Federalists
Alien Laws Sedition LawCongress raises
residence requirements for aliens wanting to be citizens from 5 to 14 yrs.
President has power to deport “dangerous foreigners” in time of peace
President has power to imprison or deport “dangerous foreigners” in times of war
Anyone who impeded the policies or speaking or falsely defaming officials (including the President)
Directly conflicts with the constitution
Intentionally written to expire in 1801
Alien and Sedition Laws
Kentucky Virginia
Penned by JeffersonWritten in secretKentucky Legislature
approved in 1798 & 1799
Penned by MadisonVA legislature
adopted in 1798
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Both:•Stressed compact theory: popular English theory meaning that 13 sovereign states had entered into a contract with the forming of the national government. This meant that the states determined what the federal government could and couldn’t do. The idea was to overrule the Alien and Sedition Acts by saying the states didn’t want them. This didn’t work. No other states joined.