The New Government Begins
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THE NEW GOVERNMENT BEGINS
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The New Government Begins. Making Careful Decisions. The Founding Fathers wanted to make sure they did things correctly. They even spent 3 weeks deciding what to call the President!!! “His Excellency”, and “His Highness” were suggested, but Washington was simply happy with “Mr. President”. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of The New Government Begins
THE NEW GOVERNMENT BEGINS
The Founding Fathers wanted to make sure they did things correctly. They even spent 3 weeks deciding what to call the President!!!
“His Excellency”, and “His Highness” were suggested, but Washington was simply happy with “Mr. President”.
Making Careful Decisions
Setting a Precedent
Washington knew the things he did would be watched carefully and would set a PRECEDENT (when others follow your example).
The President’s Cabinet
1. State 2. Treasury 3. War4. Attorney General 5. Postmaster General
To help him complete his duties, the president has a CABINET. The original cabinet had 5 executive departments:
Current Cabinet Positions
Agriculture Commerce Defense Education Energy Health/Human
Services Homeland
Security
Housing/Urban Dev.
Interior Justice Labor State Transportation Treasury Veterans Affairs
The President’s Cabinet
The JUDICIARY ACT was passed in 1789 to set up the United States court system.
John Jay became the first Supreme Court Chief Justice.
To help raise money during the Revolution, the government had sold bonds to people. When you
buy a BOND, the government promises to pay back to you the money you spent, plus
interest.
Repaying the National Debt
Many southern states had paid off their bond debts, but many northern states and the federal government
had not. Alexander Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, said the government
should buy up all the old bonds and issue new ones.
When the economy improved, the new bonds could be paid
off.
Alexander Hamilton (our
first Secretary of the
Treasury), felt strongly that the debts had to be paid off
in order for the young nation to maintain
its credibility.
Hamilton’s CompromiseHamilton knew many southerners wanted to move the capital of the United States closer to the South.
He told the southerners that if they would support his plan for paying off war debt, he would
convince northerners to move the capital toward the South.
A compromise was reached, and it was agreed to build the new capital city on
land located between the states of Virginia and Maryland. They wanted
the city to be done by 1800. The capital was then
temporarily moved from New York to Philadelphia
while the new city was being built.
Strengthening the Economy
Alexander Hamilton asked Congress to create the Bank of the United States. Tax money was put here and the U. S.
started paying off its debts. Money was also lent out to
farmers and businesses to try and stimulate the economy.
The First Bank of the United States
TariffsAnother way the government tried to help the economy was to create
TARIFFS, which are taxes on foreign goods.
Northerners liked the tariffs but southerners did not. Most
industries were located in the North. A compromise deal was
reached.
Taxes Lead to The Whiskey Rebellion
The government frequently taxes successful money-making
products. As part of Hamilton’s financial plan, a tax was placed on
whiskey, a drink made from wheat, rye, or corn. Farmers were angry,
because it decreased their profits, and they also used whiskey like money, to purchase things like salt, sugar, and
other things.
Farmers in Pennsylvania even went so far as to rebel by harassing and tarring
and feathering tax collectors, and even threatening to burn the city of
Pittsburgh.
Here Washington reviews the troops.
By the time the troops got to Pittsburgh, the
rebellion had settled down.
The government
called out the military to put
down the rebellion. This showed that the federal government could, and
would use its authority.
The French Revolution
French ships arriving in American ports in 1789 brought startling
news. A revolution had begun to overthrow the king and to create a republic like Americans had.
This actually leads to potential trouble for the U. S.
Americans Support the Revolution at First
Many Americans were happy that the French people were trying to obtain liberty, especially since we had just earned our
own. They also felt a friendship toward the French,
because they had helped us defeat the British.
Violence in France Divides
American Opinion
During the mid 1790’s, the “Reign of Terror” sweeps over France, and thousands of French citizens are executed. Some American leaders felt the violence was too extreme, while other leaders say freedom should be obtained at any cost.
Thousands lost their lives when
they were beheaded by a
new device called the
GUILLOTINE.
The Beheading of King Louis XVI
European Rulers Were Shocked!
Many countries, especially Great Britain, wanted to squash the rebellion before the same thing happened in their own country.
They began to fight France to put down the rebellion.
Europe is soon plunged into a war that lasts almost continuously
from 1792 until 1815. The French want to use our ports to supply their ships to attack nations like
Britain. After much discussion and debate, President Washington
issued the NEUTRALITY PROCLAMATION. It stated that the U.S. would not support either
side in the war.
Problems Develop American merchants were mad
that they could not trade. France and especially Great
Britain violated America’s neutrality and seized ships and their cargo.
Washington knew we were weak, and not prepared for war, so he sent Chief Justice John Jay to negotiate.
Distrust of Political Parties
Also, during Washington’s presidency, the first political parties started to form. Many Americans for a long time had a distrust of political parties. They had seen in Britain how some people used them for personal gain.
They also saw the disunity they caused. George Washington was
against them.
Despite the warnings from George Washington, two parties began to form
around two of his advisors: Alexander Hamilton and Thomas
Jefferson. Each man was quite different not only in
appearance, but in beliefs as well.
Differing Viewpoints of Hamilton and Jefferson
Differing Viewpoints of Hamilton and Jefferson
Hamilton liked Britain, and felt that the U.S. should be like them, and have manufacturing. He favored the growth of cities.
Jefferson liked France, and felt the U.S. economy should be based on farming. He called farmers the “backbone of the nation”.
Differing Viewpoints of Hamilton and Jefferson
Hamilton wanted a strong federal government and believed in interpreting the constitution loosely.
Jefferson wanted state governments to have more power and thought we should strictly interpret the constitution.
Differing Viewpoints of Hamilton and Jefferson Hamilton
favored having a national bank, and he also supported protective tariffs.
Jefferson opposed the national bank, and didn’t like the tariffs.
Party RivalryAt first, Hamilton and
Jefferson argued privately. But when Congress started
passing things Hamilton supported, Jefferson, and
his friend James Madison decided to organize support for
their views.
People in the States Started to Take Sides
Hamilton’s people called themselves “Federalists”. They wanted a strong federal government. They included merchants, manufacturers, and southern planters.
Jefferson’s people called themselves “Democratic-Republicans”. They wanted a smaller federal government. They included small farmers and workers.
NewspapersNewspapers began to play a
major role in politics and started to take sides. The number of
newspapers increased, as more people demanded information.
Even Europeans were amazed at how many Americans could read
and stay informed.
Washington RetiresBy 1796,
Washington had helped the
country through many problems, and decided that after two terms, it was time to
retire.
Washington Publishes his “Farewell Address”
Washington warned the American people to stay out of Europe’s problems, and to not enter into foreign alliances. We listened for awhile.
Washington also warned Americans about the dangers of political parties, and how they can divide people. We did not listen to his advice on this one.
The Election of 1796 In the election, Federalists supported John Adams for
president, and Thomas Pinckney for Vice President. The Democratic-Republicans
supported Thomas Jefferson for President and Aaron Burr for Vice
President.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
An Interesting Result
In the election, John Adams received the most electoral votes, and Thomas Jefferson
got second place. That meant the president and vice
president were in different parties, which led to some
contention.
Although he was not a
popular war hero, Adams
was an honest, able leader. As President, he tried to act
in the best interests of the nation, even if
it hurt him politically.
It would have been difficult to follow
George Washington
France Again Attacks Our Ships
Soon after Adams took office, France began attacking our ships, encouraging many Americans to call for war.
DIPLOMATS were sent to Paris to discuss the United States’
rights as a neutral nation.
Adams Avoids
WarDespite a lot of pressure, Adams refused to ask Congress to declare war. However, the navy was strengthened, and fast-moving
ships with guns called FRIGATES were also made. France backed down somewhat.
The Federalist Party Splits
Many members of the Federalist party were upset with Adams and
his policies. They wanted war with France, so the military could become stronger, and the government would
have more power. The disagreements led to a branch of the
party called “High Federalists”.
High Federalists Passed The Alien and Sedition
Acts The Alien Act
made it harder for people to become citizens. Also, anyone considered dangerous, could be expelled from the country.
Under the Sedition Act, citizens could be jailed or fined for criticizing the government or its officials.
Many people felt these laws violated our free speech rights. Some states even passed laws where they could NULLIFY, or cancel laws they felt were wrong, or unconstitutional. It ended up being the biggest mistake of John Adams’s career.
