THE EARLY USA

Washington / AdamsPresidencies

The KEY Debate

• Federal Power vs. State Power

• Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans

FEDERALISTS vs. DEMOCRATIC- REPUBLICANS

-Led by Hamilton (Washington, Adams)

-Strong Central Gov’t-LOOSE Interpretation of

ConstitutionNot Trust Average CitizenReserve DemocracyElite Educated w/Power-Fear Anarchy-Favor National Bank-Favor Britain and Trade

-Led by Jefferson (Madison)

-Strong State Govt’s-STRICT Interp. of Const.

Trust Average CitizenExpand DemocracyPower to the People-Fear Tyranny-Oppose National BankFavor France and Revolution

Washington Chosen to be 1st President• John Adams is VP• Jefferson is Sec. of

State• Hamilton is Sec. of

Treasury

How did GW feel about accepting the Presidency???

• “My movements to the chair of government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.”

What was one of GW’s biggest problems???

Dentistry!!!

• When GW took office, he only had ONE natural tooth left in his mouth!!!

• He had as many as 5 different dentures sets made for him!!!

How does a Gov’t get Money???

• TAXES!!

• Hamilton puts a sales (excise) tax on Whiskey

• PA farmers revolt

• Tar and feather tax collectors again!!!

WHISKEY REBELLION - 1794

• GW leads militias to put down revolt

• (Executing law!!!)

• First Big Test!

• FEDERAL Gov’t using its power to keep STATES in line

The French Revolution - 1789

• Overthrow of French Monarchy

• Replace with Republic for the people

• King Louis XVI executed in the Guillotine

• USA Reaction???

Storming the Bastille in ParisJuly 14, 1789

• Jefferson and Dem-Rep’s happy and supportive of revolution – ousted tyranny

• Hamilton and Federalists cautious as war will disrupt American trade

• Feds support England (order) / Dem-R support France (liberty)

• Will USA get drawn into war???• Who is supposed to be our ally???

“The Reign of Terror” in France

• 16,000 – 40,000 French executed by Guillotine

• France plunges into war with England for 20 years

• England and France begin seizing US ships

• GW stays neutral• French Citizen Genet in USA tying to recruit

Americans to fight England!!!

Nursery Rhyme!!!

• “Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.Jack fell down and broke his crown,And Jill came tumbling after.”

• The roots of the story, or poem, of Jack and Jill are in France.

• The Jack and Jill referred to are said to be the beheaded King Louis XVI - Jack -who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette - Jill - (who came tumbling after). The words and lyrics to the Jack and Jill poem were made more acceptable as a story for children.

• The actual beheadings occurred in during the Reign of Terror in 1793.

Washington’s Farewell Address

• Leaves after 2 Terms (precedent)

• Warns against “entangling alliances”

• Don’t get sucked into foreign affairs!

ELECTION of 1796

• Federalist VP Adams Beats D-REP. Jefferson (Becomes new VP)

• Adams very qualified, but has a miserable Presidency (how do you follow GW?)– XYZ Affair– War with France???– Alien & Sedition Acts– VA & KY Resolutions

Adams Quote

• “No man who ever held the office of President would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.”

• Nickname: “His Rotundity”

• IMPRESSMENT???• France (and England)

raiding our trade ships and kidnapping sailors

• NEUTRAL RIGHTS!!!

• Adams sends diplomats to negotiate with France (mad over Jay’s Treaty)

• Ambassadors “X,Y,Z” demand a bribe to even talk with the USA

• USA screaming for War with France (even Republicans)

• Federalists happy to smash France and solidify trade with Britain

• Adams does not bite – stays out of war– Does create the Navy Dept. and builds it up

• Public fiercely criticizes him (will cost him re-election)– Prove Fed. Case of who should lead???

• Adams wants to put down domestic opposition

Alien and Sedition Acts

• Forbids citizens from criticizing the Gov’t• Expel any “aliens” dangerous to the security

of the USA

• Why is this bad???– Limiting Free Speech (1st Amendment!!!)

• Should this stand???

Dem-Rep’s Respond

• Jefferson and Madison write the• VA and KY Resolutions

• States can nullify acts/laws of the Federal Gov’t that are Unconstitutional WHY??? HOW???

• “Doctrine of Nullification” is born and will haunt USA for years to come

• But who should decide???• Who is trying to take back some power???– Compact Theory: States in USA