Early Federal PeriodBy: Timothy Kang, Ryan Klasky &

Gabrielle Rights

Although the power of the national government increased during the early republic, this development often faced serious opposition. Compare the motives and effectiveness of those opposed to the growing power of the national government.

• Whiskey Rebellion• Hartford Convention• Nullification Crisis• Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Whiskey Rebellion

• Southern Pennsylvanians angered over Hamilton's excise tax

• Washington calls upon militia to crush the rebellion

• Alexander Hamilton passed the tax in 1971

• Incident turned frontier people into Jeffersonian followers and anti-federalists

Hartford Convention

• Discontent of the federalists• Demand in Wahsington to compensate for

loss of trade• Amendments for the 2/3 vote (after New

Orleans Capture)• Discussion of succession was aired but

mostly emphasis was placed on constitutional changes in order to protect New England interests

Nullification Crisis

• Nullification is the formal suspension by a state of a federal law within its borders.

• Brought about with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, in opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts.

• Crisis formed during Jackson’s presidency within South Carolina• Jacksons protective tariffs angered many in South Carolina and

caused them to endorse the states' rights principle of "nullification,“• South Carolina, Jackson, stood on "the brink of insurrection and

treason,"• Nullification leaders in South Carolina had expected the support of

other Southern states, but without exception, the rest of the South declared South Carolina's course unwise and unconstitutional. Eventually, South Carolina rescinded its action.

• Could have ended in a break in the US

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

• Started from Alien and Sedition being called unconstitutional

• Fought for State’s rights• Said that states could deem an act of

congress unconstitutional if it was not based around the Constitution, thus “nullifying” it

• Jefferson and Madison wanted an end to federalist exploits

Thesis:The Federalist dominated

government displayed power like that of Great Britain. Once the people of the United States noticed this power through various sectionalized rebellions, letters in newsprints, and resolutions written by several of our founding fathers, the people came to a mutual conclusion that a Federalist dominated government was one that they needed to oppose.