The First Administration 1. The Constitution became law June 21, 1788 2. Congress called for election for President

and Vice President 3. George Washington became President. a. He organized a Cabinet b. He chose men he knew and trusted 4, John Adams became Vice President

Political Parties Develop1788-1810

The United States was in debt a. Long costly war b. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation c. Treasury was empty Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of Treasury a. Recommended that four important financial measures

be taken 1. The $10 million debt to France and Netherlands be

paid off 2. The $44 million owed to people of the various states

was also to be paid 3. The central government was to take over debts that

the state run up during war 4. The United States was to issue government bonds

to raise much needed money

Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan

France declared war against England in 1793. Because the French helped Americans during Revolutionary war, France expected some help in

return Washington thought it unwise to get into another

war so soon Hamilton wanted the US to be neutral Jefferson thought US should help. Washington decided to stay neutral.

The Governments Progress

England and Spain continued to interfere with Americans as they moved westward.

British stirred up Indians by selling them whiskey and firearms

Indians fighting to protect their land that the settlers also claimed.

Trouble in the Western Lands

John Jay, a statesman and diplomat, was sent to London to discuss a treaty in 1794

He got the British to agree to leave the forts built on American soil.

Treaty not popular with Congress Washington urged its approval

Trouble in the Western Lands (con’t.)

Spanish controlled the Mississippi River and New Orleans and a part of Florida

Americans need them for trade Spain agreed to permit free navigation on the

Mississippi This opened up the Port of New Orleans Florida territory was turned over to the US

Spain Agrees to Treaty

Washington was asked to serve a second term

He accepted with failing health

George WashingtonThe First President (1789-1797)

Differences in political ideas started emerging towards the end of his second term

He refused to serve a third term He was tired and wanted to return to his Virginia

home He died two years later at age 67

Washington (con’t.)

He had no example to follow Chose excellent advisors Put country on its feet financially and politically Kept country out of European conflicts Called “Father of His Country” because of his many contributions

Washington (con’t)

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison wanted states to have more power to run their own affairs

Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan was not a big hit.

Opponents did not want the central government given more power over states

The Two Party System

The Democratic-Republican Party formed with Thomas Jefferson leading the way

The new party supported stronger state government

Federalist party supported stronger central government

The Two Party System (con’t)

The Federalists chose John Adams for President The Democratic-Republican Party chose Thomas

Jefferson for President Held the election in 1796

The Second President

Adams won president and Jefferson got Vice President

The out come put Adams in difficult position He favored a strong central government Jefferson supported strong state government

The Second President (con’t’)

When Adams took office several European countries were at war with each other

American neutrality policy angered the French They began to take American supply ships

Problem with the French

Adams wanted to avoid war In 1800 French agreed to stop interfering with

ships They refused to pay claims for earlier shipping

losses. Americans not pleased. Wanted government to

take stronger action

French Problems (con’t)

John Adams was not a popular President He was honest and loyal American Also arrogant and stubborn Newspapers did not support him New immigrants joined opposing party

The Decline of the Federalists

Federalist wanted to take action to regain control Alien Act Alien acts of 1798, immigrants had to wait 14

years to become US citizens Could be deported or imprisoned if found to be

dangerous

The Alien and Sedition Acts

Sedition Act A crime for anyone to speak out, write or print

articles against the government Those who did were convicted paid $5,000 fine Serve up to 5 years in prison Became major issue in election of 1800 Republicans thought these laws violated the

Constitution

First real contest between the two parties a. Federalists- supported the incumbent (in-

office) President, John Adams 1. Picked Charles Pinckney to be his running mate

The Election of 1800

b. Democratic-Republican-supported Thomas Jefferson 1. The farmers, small businessmen, and the and the ordinary workers liked him. 2. Chose Aaron Burr of New York to be his running mate

An unusual problem arose Constitution stated each member of the electoral college was to vote for two candidates. Person with highest number of votes would become President

Election 1800 (con’t)

The person with the second highest number would become Vice-President Jefferson and Burr each had 73 electoral votes Adams had 65 Because of the tie the House of Representatives had to decide

Election 1800 (con’t.)

Congress found it difficult to choose between Jefferson and Burr The Federalists wanted Burr a. His views were closer to the Federalists than Jefferson

OR

Hamilton’s Influence

Alexander Hamilton was in influential Federalist He had very little respect for Jefferson’s political ideas He thought even less of Burr a. Jefferson thought he could not be trusted Hamilton was able to swing the vote in Jefferson favor. Jefferson became President and Burr Vice-

President

*Burr killed Hamilton in a dual** see handout

Hamilton Influence (con’t.)

The constitution was ratified in 1804. The 12th amendment prevented another tie situation The electors would vote for each. a. President b. Vice-President

Every state chose a certain number of electors Each elector cast a ballot That made it possible for the President and Vice-President to be of different parties

The Electors – An Explanation

Was President for 8 years Got country organized Major influence in decline of Federalist Party Rich land owner of Virginia Many thought he was untidy and not friendly Intelligent Graduated from William and Mary College in Virginia

Thomas Jefferson

Author of Declaration of Independence Believed government could only do what

Constitution allowed Moved nation’s Capital from Philadelphia to Washington DC in 1800

Jefferson (con’t.)

Alien and Sedition Act Expired a. those imprisoned under that act was released, charges removed from record b. the residence requirement for new citizens was lowered to 5 years

Jefferson’s Accomplishments in Office

The Federal debt was substantially lowered The United States Military Academy at West Point was established Slaves could no longer be imported The acquisition of the Louisiana was completed

Jefferson learned Spain signed over a large region of land over to France.

The “mouth of the Mississippi” was an important port for international trade

United States made agreement with Spain to navigate the lower part of the

Mississippi for imports

The Louisiana Territory

Two years after France and Napoleon Bonaparte took control, this agreement was withdrawn US had no outlet for Eastern trade Jefferson did not want to go to war with France Jefferson needed to talk Napoleon into selling New Orleans and small region nearby to him

Louisiana Territory (con’t.)

President Jefferson sent James Monroe to Paris in 1803 Was to buy as much land as he could with 10 million dollars

Louisiana Purchase

US Ambassador to France, Robert Livingston, was already negotiating with Napoleon in Paris

Bonaparte offered to sell the entire region for 15 million dollars

Louisiana Purchase (con’t)

The US could get 823,000 square miles for about 3 cents an acre

Louisiana Territory became part of the US on December 20, 1803.

US now controlled the entire Mississippi River. Merchandise could be transported to the port of

New Orleans Louisiana’s land was rich and fertile It was divided into 13 additional states

The Importance of The Louisiana Purchase

Jefferson sent group led by Lewis and Clark into newly purchased Louisiana Territory

The trip took 2 years They started in St. Louis and went to Pacific

Ocean and came back by a different route

Lewis and Clark

The expedition was aided by an Indian guide Sacajawea She was able to get supplies from Indian tribes The expedition was able to provide nation with

info about climate, land, animals, and Indian tribes

Lewis and Clark (con’t)

Vice-President Burr decided to run against Alexander Hamilton for Governor of New York

Hamilton said Burr could not be trusted in Government

Burr was insulted

Jefferson’s Second Term

Burr wanted revenge and challenged Hamilton to a duel

On July 11, 1804 the two men fought Burr shot Hamilton, who died 30 hours later

At this time, England and France were at war The US was neutral and traded with both France

and England Both France and England did not look favorably

on the US

Jefferson Avoids War

Jefferson believed the oceans were a neutral area and ships could go as they pleased

France and England had a different view Each country put up blockades

Jefferson knew England and France both needed supplies from America

He proposed that all American ships stay home Hoped this would force France and England to

allow American ships into their ports

Congress passed the Embargo Act on on December 22, 1807 No American ship could trade with foreign nations Jefferson called it “peaceful coercion”

The Embargo Act

American merchants resent the embargo act. Many shippers went against the law The act was a failure Jefferson repealed the Embargo Act in 1809

before he left office