Launching a New Nation

Washington Takes Office• 1789-George

Washington was elected the 1st President of the United States of America.

• 1st Nations Capital: New York City

• Washington established many Precedents.

WASHINGTON PRECEDENTS:1. Gave an inauguration speech2. Served only 2 terms3. Organized the 1st cabinet4. Remain neutral in foreign affairs5. Call me Mr. President

George Washington Sets up the Government

• Washington with the help of Congress, set up our government.– Established top positions in the Executive Branch

• 1. Secretary of Treasury• 2. Secretary of State• 3. Secretary of War• 4. Attorney General

• Court System (Judiciary)– Judiciary Act of 1789: 6 Supreme Court Justices, 3

circuit courts, 13 district courts– John Jay became the 1st Chief Justice of Supreme

Court

1st Economic Problem

• America is in great DEBT: owed over $ 52 Million– Most debt was in form of bonds

• Problem: most people sold their bonds for less than they were worth

• How is this problem solved?

Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan

• 3 Part Plan– 1. U.S. government would assume to Pay all

federal and state debts– 2. U.S. government would charter a National

Bank for depositing government funds– 3. government would impose high taxes on

imported goods• Southerners were against plan• Congress debated for 6 months and

reached an agreement in 1790, but the government needed to build a new nations capital in the South.

NATIONAL BANK• Bank was to be privately owned and provide a

safe place for depositing government funds.– Could also issue currency (paper money)

• People opposed the bank (Thomas Jefferson)– Believed it was unconstitutional because the

Constitution did not clearly state the allowance– Jefferson was a “Strict” Interpreter of the

Constitution– Hamilton was “Loose” Interpreter of the

Constitution• 1791, law was passed to establish national

bank

High Tariffs• Tariffs were used to raise money for the

federal government.• Also helped protect U.S. manufacturers from

foreign competition– This part of Hamilton’s plan did not pass.

Southerners opposed it, Northerners liked it

Whiskey Rebellion• 1791, taxes were imposed on all whiskey made and sold in the U.S. • Angered backcountry farmers that made whiskey from their corn

– Farmers compared the tax to taxes Great Britain placed on them before the Revolutionary War

• 1794, PA officials attempted to collect whiskey tax, instead farmers rebelled. Marched through the Pittsburgh streets

• Washington had to make a quick response to solve the problem. He sent his militia and quickly scattered the farmers.

• Whiskey Rebellion showed the power of our government and Washington’s response showed that rebellions were not accepted in our republic

Can you remember?

• 1. How was the government organized under Washington’s leadership?

• 2. Why did the U.S. face an economic crisis?

• 3. Name the 3 parts to Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan.

• 4. Describe the Whiskey Rebellion and how Washington handled the issue.

The Birth of Political Parties

• Early leaders did not expect political parties to emerge in the U.S. – Most believed leaders would rise above

personal/local interests for the sake of the country• Early parties were called factions Washington

was completely against factions.• Washington predicted that factions would

destroy the continuity of the national government

Republicans and Federalists

• 1st 2 political parties: Republicans/Federalists• Republicans argued the federal government was too

strong. They wanted to keep the power within the states. Feared a monarchy.– Led by southern planters, northern farmers & artisans– James Madison and Thomas Jefferson

• Federalists wanted a strong federal government to hold country together– Supported by merchants, property owners, strong in the north– Alexander Hamilton

Early battles• Federalists generally had the

early upper hand. G.W. favored many of Hamilton’s policies

• Republicans continuously argued that the Federalists were trying to bring back a king (early mudslinging)

Election of 1796

• George Washington chose not to seek a 3rd term.

• Republican candidate: Thomas Jefferson• Federalists candidate: John Adams– During early elections Pres. & Vice Pres. Were

elected together…went to top 2 vote getters• J. Adams finished 1st, T. Jefferson finished 2nd.– Led to serious tension in the National Government

Can you remember?

• 1. How did early political parties begin?

• 2. Describe the differences in political views between the Federalists and Republicans.

• 3. Describe the potential problems following the election of 1796.

Troubles at Home and Abroad

• The Treaty of Paris stated that the British would have to abandon their forts in the Ohio River Valley, 10 years after the treaty, the British still had not left and they were supplying Natives with weapons.

• Natives did not want to give up their land.• Federal government believed it needed to settle

western lands. Tried to force Natives to sell their land.– By 1790, most lands in Kentucky and TN had been bought,

but land north of the Ohio River had been impenetrable• Led to Native and whites fighting.

Fighting in the Valley

• In 1790, George Washington sent forces to end Native American attacks but they were unsuccessful.

• 1791, a larger force was sent and still unsuccessful. 900 Americans died.

• Washington finally sent, War Hero, Anthony Wayne. August 1794, Battle of Fallen Timbers, Wayne was successful in defeating Natives.– Signed the Treaty of Greenville Natives gave up most of

their land around the Ohio River and up toward Lake Erie

•Battle of Fallen Timbers

French Revolution

• 1789, France rebelled against their king and leadership.– Americans early on supported the French rebellion– Many changed their opinions during the Reign of Terror.

• 1793, France and Britain were at war but Washington wanted to remain neutral to allow for trading with both sides– Caused both nations to seize American ships and cargo

Problems with Neutrality

• Britain in desperate need of soldiers began impressing American sailors

• Washington was advised to try and mend the relationship with the English.– Sent John Jay to England where he signed a treaty

• U.S. would pay debts owed to British merchants and in return Britain would pay for the ship seized and withdraw troops from Ohio Valley

– Britain did not recognize U.S. right to trade with France and kept impressing U.S. soldiers

Goodbye from G. Washington

• 1796, Washington announced he would not begin another presidential term.

• In his farewell address he advised the Americans to stay away from political factions and not to get too involved with foreign affairs.

Can you remember?

• 1. What caused the conflicts with Natives in the Northwest Territory?

• 2. How did American react to the French Revolution?

• 3. What were the major points of Washington’s farewell address?

• 4. What were Washington’s accomplishments as President?

The Presidency of John Adams • Continued problems overseas:

France was not happy about U.S. neutrality.– French believed Jay’s Treaty placed the

U.S. on Britain’s side.– Continued to impressment of

American merchant ships

XYZ Affair

• 1797, J. Adams sent 3 government officials to France to work a deal.

• French agents wanted the U.S. to lend France millions of dollars.

• Americans declined to send money to the French.

• When the bribe went public in the U.S. the French agents were called Agents X, Y, and Z.

Neutrality becomes an issue

• XYZ Affair outraged many Americans. – Many demanded that John Adams declare war on

France. • Instead, John Adams asked Congress to

increase the size and strength of our navy. – John Adams continued to avoid war, which put the

U.S. people in a rage against John Adams.• Lost all approval of the people of the United

States.

Alien and Sedition Acts• As the War in Europe continued, many feared European

immigrants would act as the French rebels did.• Federalists passed a law aimed at immigrants

• 1798: Alien Act, increased the number of years a person had to live in the U.S. to become a citizen from 5-14 Years and the President had to power to deport/imprison any alien he considered dangerous.

• Federalists also passed a law aimed at the Republicans• 1798: Sedition Act, made it a crime to write/say

anything bad or false about the government and the President.

• 10 People were convicted from 1798-1799.

States Rights

• Republicans despised the Alien and Sedition Acts.– Stated that they violated the 1st Amendment

• Thomas Jefferson and James Madison had to write arguments in order to label the acts unconstitutional– Madison wrote to the Virginia legislature– Jefferson wrote to the Kentucky legislature

• Alien Act expired in 1800• Sedition expired in 1801

Can you remember?

• What caused tension between the United States and France?

• What were the provisions of the Alien and Sedition Acts?

• Why did the issue of states’ rights arise during John Adams’ Presidency?