VI. Emergence of Political Parties

How did the Whiskey Rebellion influence the creation of political parties?

◦ Political groups called Democratic Societies supported the rebellion. These clubs became the basis for the Democratic-Republican Party.

◦ The Federalist Party formed in reaction to the clubs.

Whiskey Rebellion

Though George Washington supported most Federalist beliefs, he refused to declare himself a Federalist. Why?◦ George Washington opposed parties and did not

want to side with one faction over another. What did he say about political parties in his

Farewell Address?◦ “Let me now take a more comprehensive view,

and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful (destructive) effects of the spirit of party generally.”

Critically Thinking:

The Parties EmergeFederalist

Hamilton & Adams◦ Supported the policies of

Washington administration

◦ Rule by the wealthy◦ Loose interpretation of

Constitution ◦ Liked strong federal gov.◦ Emphasis on

manufacturing ◦ National bank◦ Protective tariffs ◦ Supported Britain

Democratic-Republicans Jefferson & Madison

◦ Wanted to limit power of federal govt

◦ Rule by the people◦ Strict/literal interpretation

of the Constitution◦ Strong state govs.◦ Emphasis on agriculture◦ State banks◦ Free trade◦ Supported French

John Adams narrowly defeated Thomas Jefferson in the 1796 presidential election◦ Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) winning

southern states◦ Adams (Federalist) winning northern states

Due to an awkward feature of the Constitution, Jefferson became Adams’ Vice-President◦ Constitution was amended in 1804 to avoid a

similarly awkward situation

A. Election of 1796

Nativism is the political position of demanding a favored status for certain established inhabitants of a nation as compared to claims of newcomers or immigrants. 

◦ ^ H. B. Entzinger; Marco Martiniello; Catherine Wihtol de Wenden (2004). Migration between states and markets. Ashgate. p. 19.ISBN 978-0-7546-4231-2.

VIII. Nativism

Read Pages 202-203

Nativism typically means opposition to immigration and support of efforts to lower the political or legal status of specific ethnic or cultural groups because the groups are considered hostile or alien to the natural culture, and assumptions that they cannot be assimilated.

◦ ^ Thomas J. Curran, "Assimilation and Nativism," International Migration Digest, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Spring, 1966), pp. 15-25

VIII. Nativism cont.

Consider: The Native American Indians were the only true Native Americans. Nonetheless, as the direct result of ◦ Written and broken treaties◦ Catastrophic military failures◦ Lack of competitive scientific and technological know

how◦ Forced assimilation

the Indians were virtually destroyed by the European immigration that created the United States.◦ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativism_(politics)

VIII. Nativism cont.

Nativism gained its name from the "Native American" parties. In this context "Native" does not mean indigenous or American Indian but rather those descended from the inhabitants of the original Thirteen Colonies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativism_(politics) These groups were opposed to

◦ Radicals fleeing Revolutionary France◦ Irish Roman Catholics

VIII. Nativism cont.

The original United States Naturalization Law of March 26, 1790 provided the first rules to be followed by the United States in the granting of national citizenship

Limited naturalization to immigrants who were: ◦ free white persons◦ of good moral character (required 2 years in the US and 1 year in

the state of residence)

It thus excluded:◦ Native American Indians◦ Indentured servants◦ Slaves◦ Free blacks◦ Asians

Naturalization Act 1790

It also provided for citizenship for the children of US citizens born abroad, but specified that the right of citizenship did not descend to persons whose fathers had never been residents in the United States.

Naturalization Act 1790

Naturalization Act of 1795◦ Extended the residency requirement to 5 years

Naturalization Act of 1798◦ Extended the residency requirement to 14 years

Naturalization Acts

Alien & Sedition Acts Federalists (J. Adams) exploited the war

fever (undeclared war with France) by passing the controversial Alien & Sedition Acts 1789◦Alien Act allowed the president to arrest and

deport immigrants who criticized the federal government New immigrants supported Dem-Rep, so

Federalists made it difficult for them to become citizens

◦Sedition Act made it a crime for citizens to publicly discredit the federal government Criticism undermined trust in the government Federalists used this Act to silence Dem-Rep

Trial by Jury. Jury could acquit a defendant, but defendants had to prove their innocence

10 men convicted of sedition

A. Alien & Sedition Acts cont.

Reaction to Acts Opposition to Federalist Party grew Movement to allow states to overturn

federal laws grew Discouraged immigration, Some foreigners

left the country 10 republican newspaper editors convicted

for writing against the government Nativism became a major political issue in

the 1800 election

Domestic Affairs The Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

◦ Authored by T. Jefferson and J. Madison in 1798-99◦ Claimed the Alien & Sedition Acts were

Unconstitutional ◦ Kentucky Resolution suggested that states nullify

federal laws considered unconstitutional◦ Reaffirmed principle of states rights

Controversy over these resolutions (balance of state and federal power) threatened the to dissolve the Union◦ Ultimately, the balance was decided by the

election of 1800

Domestic Affairs cont.

IX. Election of 1800 Alien & Sedition Acts unpopular New excise taxes unpopular As 1800 election approached Federalist

urged Adams to rush to war with France◦ Adams declined and appointed representatives to

make peace◦ Federalists turned against Adams

Dem-Republicans had better chance in 1800 since Federalists had chaos in their party

Adams (Federalist) lost the election to Jefferson (Dem-Rep)

Another confusing election◦ Jefferson and Aaron Burr were running mates◦ They tied electoral votes, so election decided by

House of Representatives◦ Hamilton preferred Jefferson to Burr, so Jefferson

became President◦ A peaceful transition from Federalist leadership to

Democratic-Republican leadership resulted (precedent) 1804, Constitution amended 1804, Burr killed Hamilton in a duel

IX. Election of 1800