Federalist Paradigm

Washington & Adams

1789-1800

Origin

• Articles govt & Shays Rebellion

• Support stronger nat. gov.

• 1789 - political stability of republic depends on Washington

GEORGE WASHINGTON1789-1797

Hamilton

• Goal – Gov’t should help grow commerce– Nat. Bank– Protective tariff– Promote manufacturing

development

• Trade would make nation rich & prosperous

• Rich should lead & wealth will trickle down

Hamilton/Federalists

• Skeptical of Enlightenment & French Rev.

• Feared democracy

• Public order over individual freedom

• Today’s Republican Party– Economic growth– Order over rights

Jefferson/Republicans

• Not today’s Republican Party

• Max. amount of individual freedom

• Privileged elite the enemy

• Believed in Enlightenment– Man can better themselves

• Admired French Rev.

• Didn’t like commerce– Merchants & bankers = money elite– Anti-democratic

• Agriculture over industry– Farmers self-sufficient, independent

• “Freedom” top belief of Democrats today– Individual rights over property rights

American Politics

• 1 Party for economic growth & public order

• 1 party emphasize social equality & individual freedom

1st Term

• Strong executive branch

• Strong central govt. (Federalists)

• Hamilton’s Plan

• Judiciary Act– Elaborate federal court system– Supreme Court

• Land Act 1796 – high prices to discourage development

1793-1815 England-France War

• Federalist support England

• Republicans support France

• Washington - neutrality

• US show of force at Fallen Timbers & PA

1795 Jay’s Treaty

• GB leaves forts

• US trade w/ some parts of empire

• Republicans think we were shortchanged– Don’t accept neutrality right at sea– Washington believed it was the best we could

do. (GB had more power)

Washington

• Executive privilege

• Diplomacy

• Farewell Address

• 2 terms

JOHN ADAMS1797-1801

• Tried to maintain neutrality

• Relations w/France deteriorated after Jay’s Treaty

• US ships attacked

XYZ Affair

• French demand bribes

• Anger at home. Repeal Franco-American Treaty

Quasi-War w/ France

• Hamilton calls for stronger central govt (opportunist)

• Adams prepares for war– New ships, fortify harbors, new taxes

• Republicans horrified– France not real threat– Build up was to silent Rep. opposition

Republicans Fight Back

• Republican Press attacks Adams– Betrayed spirit & intent of Revolution– Favor new aristocracy

• Federalists believe attacks undermining political order

Alien & Sedition Acts

• Crime to criticize govt

• Many Republicans silenced before election

• Citizenship takes longer

• BIG MISTAKE!

France

• Adams makes peace w/ Napoleon

• Public unsettled– Taxation & military build up for war that never

came

Election 1800

• Jefferson challenges Adams & Federalists– Party of tyranny, militarism, taxation– Adams expanded fed. govt power– “reign of terror”

• Adams defeated = peaceful transition of power

Federalist Paradigm

• 12 yrs – consistent economic & political policies

• Set focus on commerce

• Washington honest administration

• Bill of Rights, secured borders, solid foundation

• Mistakes – held on to hierarchy